Copyright Statement

[0001] This patent document contains material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of this patent document or any related materials in the files of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to netting systems including releasable netting systems.

Background

[0003] Outdoor netting systems (e.g., net walls) are used for protection throughout the world in different environments. One well-known example of this includes the use of netting systems with outdoor golf driving ranges to protect the areas adjacent the driving ranges from errant golf balls. These implementations may be referred to as errant golf ball containment structures. Similar types of containment structures are used at baseball fields, soccer fields, football fields, areas where unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, drones) may frequent for fugitive dust and trash containment or to visually obscure sites, and other types of structures.

[0004] The containment structures may typically include nets bounded by ropes attached to steel cables extending between tall steel poles. The poles may be embedded in concrete foundations and extend upward to heights of 170’ above finished grade. In this way, the structures may be sturdy and sufficiently tall to capture or otherwise block errant objects ( e.g ., golf balls) from entering into neighboring areas.

[0005] However, many of these outdoor structures may be implemented in areas with potentially severe weather conditions that may adversely affect the structures. For example, in winter storms, snow and ice may freeze to the netting thereby increasing the weight supported by the steel cables and poles. In addition, as the netting becomes laden with ice and snow, the porosity of the net may be greatly reduced resulting in increased wind drag. High winds associated with freezing rain coupled with the ice buildup on the nets may cause a significant increase to the horizontal loads applied to the structure, and in extreme conditions, may cause the poles to be overloaded and to collapse.

[0006] Once collapsed, the poles must be replaced, and the structure must be rebuilt resulting in lost revenues and a high cost of repair.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a releasable net apparatus and system that may release the nets upon potential overloading of the support poles prior to the catastrophic collapsing of the poles. In this way, the nets may be released under severe weather conditions and the poles may be left standing.

The cost and effort necessary to restring the nets onto the standing poles may be far less than that of replacing the poles, thereby saving time and money.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 shows aspects of a netting system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0010] FIGS. 2-4 depict close-up views of aspects of the netting system of

FIG. 1 ;

[0011] FIG. 5A-5B show aspects of an attachment mechanism according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0012] FIG. 6 shows aspects of a releasable attachment mechanism according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0013] FIGS. 7A-7B show aspects of a weakening element according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0014] FIG. 8 shows aspects of a releasable attachment mechanism according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0015] FIG. 9 shows aspects of a weakening element according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0016] FIGS. 10A-10B show aspects of a releasable attachment mechanism according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0017] FIGS. 11 A-11 B show aspects of a weakening element according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and

[0018] FIG. 12 depicts a close-up view of aspects of the netting system of

FIG. 1. Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

[0019] In general, the system and associated apparatuses according to exemplary embodiments hereof provide releasable netting systems. In some embodiments, the releasable netting systems are adapted for use as outdoor containment structures (e.g., golf driving range errant ball containment screens, baseball fields, soccer fields, football fields, etc.) or for other purposes. In some embodiments the system includes two or more ground-based support structures {e.g., anchored columns, poles, etc.) adapted to vertically support nets therebetween to form a net wall.

[0020] In some embodiments, the nets may be peripherally bounded by ropes for support, and the ropes may be configured (clipped) to horizontal support cables running between the upright support structures. In this way, the nets may be strung between the upright support structures to form the net walls.

[0021] In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes a support assembly 100, a net assembly 200 and an attachment assembly 300. In general, the support assembly 100 may provide support to the net assembly 200, with the net assembly 200 attached to the support assembly 100 via the attachment assembly 300. The attachment assembly 300 may be adapted to release the net assembly 200 under predetermined environmental load conditions while generally leaving the support assembly 100 intact. The system 10 also may include other elements and components as necessary to perform its desired functionalities as described herein or otherwise.

Support Assembly 100 [0022] In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in FIG. 2, the support assembly 100 includes two or more upright support structures 102 and one or more lateral supports 104 extending therebetween.

[0023] In some embodiments, the upright support structures 102 may include poles, truss towers, lattice towers and/or other types of columns. In some embodiments the support structures 102 may be anchored in ground foundations (e.g., concrete) and/or guyed with cables for increased stability. The structures 102 may comprise steel, wood, composite materials {e.g., carbon composites), other types of materials and any combination thereof. In some implementations, the structures 102 may extend upward distances up to 90’, 130’, 170’ and above. The diameter(s) of the structures 102 may be fixed and/or tapered and may be chosen to provide sufficient support to the system 10. The structures 102 may be generally vertical and/or may include portions or sections at other angles {e.g., diagonal cross bars).

[0024] In some embodiments, the lateral supports 104 may include cables, chains, cords, ropes and/or other types of supports that may extend between the upright structures 102. For example, in one implementation, the lateral supports 104 may include steel cables. As shown in FIG. 2, the lateral supports 104 may generally include a first end attached to a first upright support structure 102-1 and a second end of the attached to an adjacent second upright structure 102-2. The first and/or second ends of the lateral supports 104 may be attached at various positions on the upright structures 102 depending on the design of the structure {e.g., at the top, at intermediate positions, near the bottom, etc.). It is understood that the lateral structures 104 may extend continually between a plurality of adjacent upright structures 102 and that the ends of the lateral structures 104 may or may not terminate at any particular upright structure 102 depending on the design of the overall system 10.

[0025] As will be described in other sections and as shown in FIG. 2, the net assembly 200 may be attached to the lateral supports 104 and thereby be held between the upright structures 102. Accordingly, it is preferable that the lateral support structures 104 comprise materials of adequate strength to support the net assembly 300. For example, in some embodiments the lateral structures 104 may comprise 5/16” galvanized extra high strength (EHS) steel strands or other comparable structures.

[0026] In some embodiments, the support assembly 100 may include a lateral support 104 generally extending between the tops of adjacent upright support structures 102, and one or more lateral supports 104 extending between the upright structures 102 at intermediate locations between the ground and the tops of the structures 102. While FIG. 2 depicts one top lateral support 104-1 and one intermediary lateral support 104-2, it is understood that the system 10 may include any number of lateral supports 104 extending between any number of upright supports 102, and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the number and/or location of lateral supports 104 and/or upright supports 102.

Net Assembly 200

[0027] In one exemplary embodiment hereof, the net assembly 200 includes one or more nets 202 attached to the support assembly 100 to form a net wall. In some embodiments, the nets 202 include polymer nets 202 comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, Kevlar, nylon, textiles, plastic, rubber, steel (e.g., chain link), other materials and any combination thereof. The nets 202 may include a cord diameter, mesh size and strength profile per design requirements so that the nets 202 may perform their desired functionalities. It also may be preferable that the nets 202 include UV protective treatments.

[0028] The nets 202 may be bound to support members 204 to provide strength and support to the nets 202. For example, FIG. 3 shows the top edge of a net 202 bound to a top edge rope 204 and FIG. 4 shows a middle portion of a net 202 bound to an intermediate rope 204. In some embodiments, the rope borders 204 may comprise 3/8” braided rope with #24 twisted nylon twine sewn to the netting 202 with half clove hitch at 7” intervals. Other materials and/or methods also may be used to attach the netting 202 to the rope border 204. It may be preferable that the support members 204 extend the length of each net 202 between the upright support structures 102 to provide continual support across each net 202 between the structures 102.

[0029] In some embodiments, a single net 202 may extend between two or more adjacent upright support structures 102, while in other embodiments, a plurality of nets 202 may be combined to extend between adjacent upright structures 102.

Attachment Assembly 300

[0030] In one exemplary embodiment hereof, the attachment assembly

300 is used to attach the net assembly 200 to the support assembly 100. In some embodiments, the attachment assembly 300 includes one or more attachment mechanisms 302 that may include one or more clips, fasteners, carabiners, shackles, rings, hoops, loops, grommets, other types of attachment members and any combination thereof. The shape of the attachment mechanism 302 may be generally circular, oval shaped, square, rectangular, tear shaped, any other types of shapes and any combination thereof. For example, the attachment mechanism 302 may include a generally oval or tear shaped hoop.

[0031] In one example as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the attachment mechanism 302 resembles a carabiner or other type of hoop fastener with a top 304, a bottom 306, a spring-loaded hinged gate 308 and a closed side arm 310. FIG. 5A depicts the mechanism 302 with the gate 308 closed and FIG. 5B depicts the mechanism with the gate 308 open. In some embodiments, the gate 308 may include a non-locking gate 308 so that the top 304 of the attachment mechanism 302 may not be locked within the gate 308, but instead may be simply held and supported. In this way, as will be described in other sections, the top 304 may be free to rotate upward and out of the gate 308 as required.

[0032] In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism 302 may comprise high durability 5/16” carbon steel with smooth rounded edges that may not adversely wear the rope borders 204 and/or nets 202 to which the attachment mechanism 302 may be attached.

[0033] In some embodiments, each attachment mechanism 302 may attach a particular portion of a net 202 to a corresponding position along a lateral support structure 104. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a first attachment mechanism 302-1 may be used to attach a portion of a net 202 to a lateral support structure 104-1 at position (1), a second attachment mechanism 302-2 may be used to attach a portion of the net 202 to a lateral support structure 104-1 at position (2), a third attachment mechanism 302-3 may be used to attach a portion of the net 202 to a lateral support structure 104-2 at position (3), and a fourth attachment mechanism 302-4 may be used to attach a portion of the net 202 to a lateral support structure 104-2 at position (4). In some embodiments, the attachment between each net 202 and each lateral support structure 104 may include attaching the support member 204 configured with the net 202 to the lateral support structure 104 at the desired location of the attachment. In other embodiments, the attachment between each net 202 and each lateral support structure 104 may include attaching the net 302 (e.g., the mesh) directly with the lateral support structure 104 at the desired location of the attachment.

[0034] As shown, positions (1) and (2) may be along the top edge of the net 202 and may attach the top edge of the net 202 (e.g., an upper support member 204 configured with the top edge of the net 202) to the top lateral support 104-1 , and positions (3) and (4) may be along an intermediate (middle) portion of the net 202 (e.g., an intermediate support member 204 configured with an intermediate portion of the net 202) and may attach the middle portion of the net 202 to an intermediate (middle) support structure 104-2. It is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that these configurations of the net 202 with lateral supports 104-1 , 104-2 at positions (1), (2), (3) and (4) are meant for demonstration and that the net 202 may be attached to other later supports 104 at other positions, and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the number and/or location of attachments between the net 202 and the lateral supports 104.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a close-up schematic of a net 202 with a top edge bound to a support member 204 (e.g., bound to a rope at points B), and the support member 204 attached to a lateral support 104 using an attachment mechanism 302. As environmental forces (wind, frozen rain, snow, etc.) pull the net 202 and its accompanying support member 204 away from the lateral support 104, these forces may be represented as a force vector F as shown. [0036] FIG. 4 shows a close-up schematic of a net 202 with a middle portion bound to a support member 204 ( e.g ., bound by a rope at points B), and the support member 204 attached to a lateral support 104 using an attachment mechanism 302.

[0037] In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in FIG. 6, the attachment mechanism 302 may include a releasable attachment mechanism 312. In some embodiments, the releasable attachment mechanism 312 may include an attachment mechanism 302 adapted to open, release or otherwise disengage under particular pre-determined conditions. For example, the releasable attachment mechanism 312 may be designed to break open when a specific amount of force F is applied to the mechanism 312. In this way, the releasable attachment mechanism 312 may be referred to as a “break-away” attachment mechanism 312. For example, an upward force F1 may be applied to the top 304 of the mechanism 312 and/or a downward force F2 may be applied to the bottom 306 of the mechanism 312, and the mechanism 312 may be designed to break open when the forces F1 and/or F2 exceed a predetermined force threshold.

[0038] In one exemplary embodiment hereof, the releasable attachment mechanism 312 includes at least one weakening element 314. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the weakening element 314 may include a slot 316 that passes through at least a portion of the mechanism’s side arm 310 thereby weakening the arm 310 in the general area of the slot 316. Using the orientation of the releasable attachment mechanism 312 as shown in FIG. 6, the slot 316 may pass from outside the mechanism 312 on the right and through the side arm 310 towards the left (towards the mechanism’s median plane). [0039] FIG. 7 A shows a closeup schematic of the slot 316 within the side arm 310 of the mechanism 312 of FIG. 6. The slot 316 may include a height of H1 and a width of W1 . Because the slot 316 may not pass entirely through the side arm 310, a remaining portion of material 318 (also referred to as the bridge 318) may include a width of W2. In general, the width W1 plus the width W2 equals the diameter W3 of the side arm 310.

[0040] FIG. 7B shows the cross section of the slot 316 and the bridge 318 taken from the perspective of cut-lines B-B in FIG. 7A.

[0041] In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in FIG. 8, the upward (and downward) force F _T (i.e., a tension force representing all forces applied to the mechanism 312) of sufficient magnitude applied to the top 304 of the releasable attachment mechanism 312 causes a predictable break-away of the attachment mechanism 312 in the area of the weakening element 314. Accordingly, the releasable attachment mechanism 312 may be designed to break (and thereby release) at a specific breaking force F _B . That is, by knowing the breaking force F _B at which the releasable attachment mechanism 312 is desired to break, the dimensions and position of the slot 316 may be designed to facilitate such breakage.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8, the upward force F _T applied to the top 304 may be modeled as a torque T applied to the top 304 about an axis of rotation A centered at the bridge 318. With the slot 316 positioned at a vertical distance D1 from the point of force, the torque T may generally be given by:

T = r F _T sinG

Where: T is the applied torque; ris the distance from the axis of rotation to the point of force;

Fis the applied force; and Q is the angle between F _T and r

[0043] The lever arm LA1 is also shown as the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation A to the line of action of the upward force F _T .

[0044] As the upward force F _T is applied, the torque T causes the top 304 of the releasable attachment mechanism 312 to begin rotating in a generally clockwise direction as represented by R about the axis of rotation A (centered at the bridge 318). Because the gate 308 is non-locking, the top 304 may be free to rotate upward and out of the gate 308 without obstruction. This in turn may cause the slot 316 to collapse as shown in FIG. 9 causing the axis of rotation A to jam. As the torque T continues and with the axis of rotation A jammed, the lever arm relocates to the slot 316 and bridge 318 portion (as represented as LA2) and a tensile force F _T s is applied to the bridge 318 as shown. This force F _T s may cause an associated tensile stress s within the material at the bridge 318.

[0045] As is known in the art, a stress s, which is a force applied to a per unit area of a material (e.g., to the area of the bridge 318), produces a stretching of the area {e.g., of the bridge 318) referred to as a strain e. Strain is represented by the ratio of the difference in length AL caused by the stress s to the original length L ₀ along the direction of the stress s, i.e., e = DI_ / L ₀ .

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, as the rotation R continues, the stress s increases causing an increased strain e, and the bridge 318 experiences plastic deformation until it breaks. As stated above, by choosing appropriate dimensions (H1 , W1) and positioning (D1) of the slot 316 and the corresponding dimensions of the bridge 318 (W2), the releasable attachment mechanism 312 may be designed to predictably break open with the application of a known breaking force F _B . For example, in some embodiments, for a side arm 310 with a diameter W3 of 0.305” - 0.309” (and preferably about 0.306”) and a breaking force F _B of 350# - 430# (and preferably about 388#), the height H1 of the slot 316 may be chosen to equal 0.012” +/- 0.002” and the width W1 of the slot 316 may be chosen to equal 0.247” +/- 0.008”. This may result in a bridge width W2 equal to about 0.057” +/- 0.004”. Looking at this in another way, the height H1 of the slot 316 may be about 4% the diameter W3 of the arm 310, and the width W1 of the slot 316 may be about 81% of the diameter W3 of the arm 310. This may result in the width W2 of the bridge being about 19% of the diameter W3 of the arm 310.

[0047] In another example, the slot 316 may be positioned at a vertical distance D1 below the point of force of about 0.620”.

[0048] It is understood that these example slot dimensions and/or slot position(s) are meant for demonstration and that other dimensions and/or positions of the slot 316 also may be chosen, and that the scope of the releasable attachment mechanism 312 and that of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the chosen dimensions and/or positioning of the slot 316. In some embodiments, the slot dimensions and/or slot position(s) may result in different breaking forces F _B depending on the material(s) used to form the mechanism 312 (e.g., the arm 310 with which the weakening element 314 may be configured). For example, for an arm 310 comprising stainless steel, the slot dimensions and/or slot position(s) shown above may result in a breaking force F _B of about 388#. [0049] It is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the descriptions above regarding the forces F1 , F2, F _T and/or F _B applied to the releasable attachment mechanism 312 and the resulting torque T, force F _T s, stress s, strain e and eventual breakage of the releasable attachment mechanism 312 are meant for demonstration, and that other forces may be applied to the mechanism 312 that may result in other eventual breakages of the mechanism 312 as required for the mechanism 312 to fulfill its break-away functionalities within the system 10. It is also understood that the analysis and modeling of the mechanism 312, the weakening element 314 and/or other elements of the mechanism 312 and the forces described as shown above are meant to provide an understanding of the mechanism 312 and its functionalities, and that other analysis and/or modeling of the mechanism 312 may also be used.

[0050] In some embodiments, the shape and form of the weakening element 314 may include other architectures that may result in the same or similar results. For example, the weakening element 314 may include two or more slots 316 in close proximity on the arm 310 or spaced at distances along the arm 310. The two or more slots 316 may be positioned on the same side of the arm 310 (e.g., on the outside as shown in other embodiments) or on different sides (e.g., directly opposing one another on opposing sides and/or vertically offset on opposing sides). In another example, the weakening element 314 may include one or more slots 316 on the lateral sides of the arm 310 (e.g., perpendicular to or at other angles with respect to the slot 316 of FIG. 7B). In other examples, the angle of the slot 316 with respect to the arm 310 may include a non-perpendicular angle {e.g., diagonal). In another example, the slot 316 may not include a constant height H1 but may instead include a tapering height that tapers from a larger height at the opening of the slot 316 to a smaller height at the bridge 318 (e.g., wedge-shaped). In another example, the weakening element 314 may include one or more holes that pass through at least a portion of the arm 310. In this example, the one or more holes may result in the formation of one or more corresponding bridge portions associated with each hole.

[0051] In yet another embodiment as shown in FIG. 11 A, the slot 316 may include a circumferential slot 316 that extends inward from around the circumference of the arm 310 with a resulting bridge 318 generally positioned in the center of arm’s cross-section as shown in FIG. 11 B. Other slot architectures may also be used.

[0052] It is understood that the weakening element 314 may include any type(s) of element(s) and/or structure(s) that may generally weaken the mechanism’s arm 310 so that the arm 310 may break under a defined load. It is also understood that the scope of the releasable attachment mechanism 312 and that of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the type(s), shape(s), form(s), location(s) and/or any other characteristics of the weakening element 314 that the releasable attachment mechanism 312 may employ.

[0053] In on exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in FIG. 12, the attachment mechanisms of FIG. 2 may each include releasable attachment mechanisms 316. For example, first attachment mechanism 302-1 may include a releasable attachment mechanism 316-1, the second attachment mechanism 302-2 may include a releasable attachment mechanism 316-2, the third attachment mechanism 302-3 may include a third releasable attachment mechanism 316-3 and the fourth attachment mechanism 302-4 may include a fourth releasable attachment mechanism 316-4. It is understood that the number and location of the releasable attachment mechanisms 316 shown in FIG. 12 are meant for demonstration and that the system 10 may include any number of releasable attachment mechanisms 316 as necessary.

[0054] In one exemplary embodiment hereof, by designing the releasable attachment mechanism 312 to release (e.g., break away) under predictable load conditions of a known breaking force F _B , the system 10 may be designed to include a specific number of releasable attachment mechanisms 312 placed at specific positions within the system 10 so that the releasable attachment mechanisms 312 may release a net 202 given specific environmental load conditions. Note that the number and/or placement of the attachment mechanisms 312 may be site specific as each site of the system 10 may include different potential environmental load conditions under which the system 10 may preferably perform.

[0055] For example, in some implementations, the releasable attachment mechanisms 312 may be used to connect the netting 202 to the upper lateral support 104 and/or intermediate lateral support at intervals of approximately 36”. The releasable attachment mechanisms 312 also may be used to connect the netting 202 to the upright support structures 102 (or to vertical support cables configured with the upright support structures 102) at intervals of approximately 36”. In other implementations, the releasable attachment mechanisms 312 may be placed at non-symmetrical spacings. It is understood that other placement positions and/or intervals of placement also may be used depending on the design of the releasable attachment mechanism 312, the application of the system 10 and/or the environment within which the system 10 may be installed, and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the positioning and/or the placement intervals at which the releasable attachment mechanisms 312 may be configured.

[0056] It is understood that any aspect and/or element of any of the embodiments described herein or otherwise may be combined in any way to form new embodiments easily understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand, upon reading this description, that embodiments hereof may provide different and/or other advantages, and that not all embodiments or implementations need have all advantages.

[0057] Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).

[0058] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs”, and includes the case of only one ABC.

[0059] As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.

[0060] As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all.

So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.

[0061] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”

[0062] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.”

[0063] In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.

[0064] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means

“at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.

[0065] It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and / or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.

[0066] As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”

[0067] The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e. , "about 3" or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or "substantially constant" shall also cover exactly constant).

[0068] As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0069] Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated. [0070] It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0071] The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e. , "about 3" shall also cover exactly 3 or "substantially constant" shall also cover exactly constant).

[0072] Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,") and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.

[0073] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.