PRI ORI TY DETAI LS

[0001 ] The present application claims priority from AU 2020901 176, filed in Australia on 14 April 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHN I CAL FI ELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of m ining and earthworks, and more particularly to the fixing of excavator teeth to equipment.

BACKGROUN D

[0003] Excavators, Load-Haul-Dumpers (LHD) and other earthmovers typically utilise a hydraulically-operated ‘bucket’ in order to shift earth. The excavator bucket often has one or more excavator teeth fixed to the bucket rim , and these teeth enable the bucket to rake, scoop and otherwise cut through earth with efficiency. However, the bucket teeth gradually wear out during use - and different tooth styles are suitable for differ applications, which vary based on the characteristics of the earth being dug through or shifted. As a result, excavator teeth are designed to be removable from a tooth mount positioned on the rim of the excavator bucket, and ultimately replaceable.

[0004] In general, the industry is moving away from the use of a locking pin which requires a hammer to be used during the installation/removal processes. In fact, some sites have implemented using a ham mer to remove/install a GET pin, to prevent injury caused from swinging a hammer or a pin being hit by a hammer and subsequently being launched, potentially injuring someone.

[0005] Hammer-driven pins, as well as other prior art locking pins, are also prone to being choked with dust and fine debris. This can inhibit their removal and may require a destructive removal process such as a plasma cutter or jet axe. This can also damage the tooth mount and, as one can appreciate, prevents the locking pin from being re-used. [0006] There is therefore a need to provide a locking pin that is installable and removable without the use of a ham m er and that overcom es one or more of the disadvantages faced by prior art locking pins.

Dl SCLOSURE OF THE I NVENTI ON

[0007] I n a first aspect, the present invention relates to a locking pin for retaining an excavator tooth against a tooth mount of an excavator bucket, comprising a pin body shaped to extend through aligned apertures on the excavator tooth and the tooth mount, a movable retention m ember and a rotatable eccentric member in mechanical engagement therewith, wherein at least one of the excavator tooth and the tooth mount comprise an internal receiving cavity suitable to receive the retention member, rotation of the eccentric m ember moves the retention m ember into or out of engagement with the receiving cavity, and upon engagement therebetween, the locking pin is inhibited from being withdrawn from the aligned apertures, thereby retaining the excavator tooth against the tooth mount.

[0008] I n an em bodiment, at least a portion of the retention mem ber is resiliently flexible, and the resiliently flexible portion is configured to enable dynam ic engagement between the retention mem ber and the receiving cavity.

[0009] I n an em bodim ent, the eccentric member is rotatable between a first position in which the locking pin is able to be inserted or withdrawn from the aligned apertures, and a second position in which the retention member is engaged with the receiving cavity, and the eccentric mem ber further comprises a locking means configured to retain the eccentric member in at least one of the first position and the second position.

[0010] I n an embodiment, the pin body is shaped such that it is inhibited from being inserted into the aligned apertures in an orientation that would prevent engagem ent between the retention member and the receiving cavity.

[001 1 ] I n an em bodiment, the pin body is at least partially hollow, the eccentric member is positioned within and substantially encapsulated by a hollow portion of the pin body, and the retention member is at least partially within the hollow portion and arranged to move through an aperture in the pin body upon rotation of the eccentric member.

[0012] In an embodiment, the locking pin further comprises an actuation point located at an end of, or in mechanical engagement with, the eccentric member, the actuation point enabling rotation of the eccentric member by a user without the user requiring access to the hollow portion of the pin body.

[0013] In an embodiment, the pin body further comprises at least one mechanical seal within the hollow portion, the mechanical seal being arranged to inhibit entry into and/or movement through the hollow portion of small particulate matter. In an embodiment, the mechanical seal comprises at least one ridge, shoulder or iris extending between an internal surface of the hollow portion and the eccentric member. I n an embodiment, the mechanical seal comprises a pair of complementarily-shaped ridges, shoulders or irises extending between the internal surface of the hollow portion and the eccentric member and abutting one another.

[0014] In an embodiment, the locking pin further comprises a sealing collar positioned within the hollow portion of the pin body, wherein rotation of the eccentric member to move the retention member into engagement with the receiving cavity also moves the sealing collar into abutment with an internal surface of the hollow portion around the pin body aperture, thereby providing a seal against the entry of small particulate matter into the pin body through the pin body aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing collar at least partially comprises a resiliently flexible material.

[0015] In an embodiment, the pin body comprises a plurality of segments that interfit with one another to encapsulate the eccentric member, and the locking pin further comprises at least one end cap configured to retain the plurality of segments in interfitting engagement with one another and to resist outward forces exerted upon at least one of the plurality of segments.

[0016] In an embodiment, the pin body further comprises a guide structure extending along at least a portion of a length thereof, wherein at least one of the apertures comprises a complementary structure that cooperates with the guide structure to ensure the locking pin body is inserted into the aligned apertures such that the retention member is aligned with the receiving cavity.

[0017] The invention may further comprise a retainer that is configured to sit alongside, within or otherwise proximal to at least one of the apertures of the excavator tooth and tooth mount, and the retainer is not positioned external to the excavator tooth when in use. The retainer may provide a receiving cavity for receiving a retention member of an embodiment of the locking pin. In an embodiment, engagement of the retention member with the receiving cavity urges the retainer against at least one surface of at least one of the excavator tooth and the tooth mount. I n an embodiment, the retainer is sized, shaped or otherwise adapted to be unable to pass, slip or otherwise move through the aperture on the excavator tooth. I n an embodiment, the pin body is shaped to comprise a locking groove, wherein upon engagement between the retention member and the receiving cavity, a portion of the retainer is received therein.

[0018] In an embodiment the retainer may comprise a complementary structure configured to cooperate with a guide structure extending along at least a portion of a length of the locking pin body, wherein the cooperating complementary structure and guide structure ensure that the locking pin body is inserted into the aligned apertures such that the retention member is aligned with the receiving cavity.

[0019] In an embodiment the retainer may comprise one or more circumferentially-arranged pads shaped, configured or otherwise adapted to dynamically urge against at least a portion of the excavator tooth or tooth mount.

[0020] Further embodiments or variants of the present invention may be disclosed herein, or may otherwise become apparent to the person skilled in the art through the disclosure herein. These embodiments are considered to fall within the scope of the invention. DESCRI PTI ON OF FI GURES

[0021 ] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in relation to figures, wherein:

Figure 1 depicts a cross-section of an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2A-3B depict an embodiment of the invention in use;

Figures 4A & 4B depict a cross-section of an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 5A-6 depict embodiments of the invention comprising improved fine debris resistance; and

Figures 7-9 depict embodiments of the invention further comprising a retainer.

DETAI LED DESCRI PTI ON OF PREFERRED EMBODI MENTS [0022] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a locking pin for retaining an excavator tooth against a tooth mount of an excavator bucket. I n an embodiment, the locking pin comprises a pin body, a reversibly movable retention member and a rotatable eccentric member. The locking pin is able to be inserted into aligned apertures on the excavator tooth and the tooth mount. Upon insertion, rotation of the eccentric member (which is in mechanical engagement with the retention member) urges the retention member into engagement with a receiving cavity within at least one of the tooth and tooth mount. This may inhibit the locking pin from being withdrawn from the apertures, such that the locking pin ‘locks’ or retains the excavator tooth against the tooth mount of the excavator bucket.

[0023] Depicted in Figure 1 is an embodiment of the locking pin of the present invention, having a pin body 10, retention member 12 and eccentric member 14. In at least the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 , the eccentric member 14 rotates about a longitudinal axis (depicted in Figure 1 by a dashed line). I n at least the present embodiment, the eccentric member 14 may comprise a substantially eccentric cross-section about the depicted axis, such that rotation thereof may urge the retention member 12 to move outwardly from the pin body 10 towards an extended position, or alternatively to remove the outward urging force and allow the retention member 12 to return to a retracted position. I n an extended position, the retention member may be able to engage with a receiving cavity. I n a retracted position, the retention member 12 may sit internal to, or substantially flush to, the pin body 10, enabling insertion or withdrawal thereof from an aperture.

[0024] In an embodiment, the pin body 10 may be partially or substantially hollow. I n such an embodiment, the eccentric member 14 and retention member 12 may be at least partially contained within a hollow portion 10b of the pin body 10. In some embodiments, the eccentric member 14 may be eccentrically shaped across its cross-section for a portion of its length. In some embodiments, the eccentricity of the eccentric member 14 may vary along the length thereof.

[0025] I n an embodiment, the pin body 10 may be shaped such that it is inhibited from being inserted into the aligned apertures in an orientation that would prevent engagement between the retention member and the receiving cavity. I n an embodiment this may comprise the pin body 10 having a cross- section, and at least one of the apertures 24A, 24B having a matching cross- section, shaped such that the pin body 10 may only be inserted in one orientation. With reference to Figure 2, in an alternative embodiment the pin body 10 may comprise a guide structure 18 that cooperates with a complementary structure on the inner surface of one of the apertures 24A, 24B, such that only when the guide structure and complementary structure are aligned can the pin body 10 be inserted. Although Figure 2 depicts the guide structure 18 as a groove, the skilled person will appreciate that this is exemplary only and that other variations of a guide structure 18 and complementary structure enabling maintaining correct orientation are within the scope of the present invention.

[0026] Depicted in Figures 3A & 3B are exemplary cross-sections of 22Ban excavator bucket 20 having a tooth mount 22A and separable excavator tooth 22B, the excavator tooth being shaped to contact and engage with the tooth mount 22A. The tooth mount 22A comprises at least one aperture 24A extending therethrough, with the excavator tooth 22B having a matching aperture , such that when the excavator tooth 22B is correctly positioned upon the tooth mount 22A, the respective apertures 24A, 24B align with one another (as depicted in Figure 2B) . The embodiment depicted in the figures comprise apertures 24A, 24B on either side of each of the excavator tooth 22B and tooth mount 22A, but the skilled person will appreciate that this is exemplary only. It is within the scope of the invention for there to be a greater or fewer number of apertures, provided that an embodiment of the locking pin is still insertable into aligned apertures 24A, 24B. For example, in one embodiment there may only be apertures 24A, 24B on one side of the tooth mount 22A and excavator tooth 22B, such that a locking pin extends into the tooth mount but does not necessarily pass all the way through.

[0027] I n an embodiment, the tooth mount 22A may be an adaptor that is removable or detachable from the excavator bucket 20. I n an alternative embodiment, the tooth mount 22A may be incorporated into the structure of excavator bucket 20.

[0028] In use, and with reference to Figures 4A & 4B, an embodiment of the pin body 10 may be inserted into and/or through the aligned apertures 24A, 24B of the tooth mount 22A and excavator tooth 22B. Upon actuation of the eccentric member 14 (not shown) the retention member 12 may outwardly extend from the pin body 10 and into engagement with a receiving cavity 26. I n the embodiment depicted in Figures 3A-4B the receiving cavity 26 is internal to the tooth mount 22A, however the skilled person will appreciate that the cross- section depicted in Figures 3A-4B is exemplary only and alternate configurations, including configurations wherein the receiving portion 26 is internal to the excavator tooth 22B, are within the scope of the invention.

[0029] As the skilled person may appreciate, the receiving cavity 26 does not need to be a cavity that is specifically configured to receive the retention member 12. Rather, in some embodiments of the present invention, the retention member 12 may be configured to enable any appropriately-positioned cavity within one of the tooth mount 22A and excavator tooth 22B to be used as a receiving cavity 26. I n other words, at least one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to be compatible with pre-existing excavator teeth and tooth mounts.

[0030] In an embodiment and with returning reference to Figure 1 , at least a portion 16 of the retention member 12 may be comprised of a resiliently flexible material. The resiliently flexible portion 16 may enable the retention member 12, upon engagement with the receiving cavity 26, to be held in dynamic engagement therewith. I n such an embodiment, the resiliently flexible portion 16 may compress, flex or expand as forces acting upon the excavator tooth 22B, tooth mount 22A and/or excavator bucket 20 shift and change.

[0031 ] As the skilled person may appreciate, an excavator bucket and associated teeth are subject to substantial forces when in use. These forces can shift and change at a moment’s notice, particularly as rock and earth shift, roll or are dislodged during movement, and these forces can induce stresses such as flexing, bending or twisting, either as elastic deformation or as plastic deformation, in the tooth and/or tooth mount.

[0032] It is therefore of substantial advantage for the locking means to have some dynamic ‘play’ therewithin, so that as the tooth and mount are subject to forces that induce some form of deformation. In particular, the retention member 12 being able to elastically flex via the resilient ly-f lex ible portion 16 may assist in preventing, inhibiting or ameliorating damage to the retention member 12 (such as plastic deformation, being permanent alteration of the retention member’s shape) by forces acting upon the tooth 22B and/or mount 22A, which may otherwise prevent the retention member 12 from being withdrawn into the locking pin body 10. Additionally, the resiliently flexible portion 16 therefore may ensure that the retention member 12 is urged to remain snugly and securely engaged with the receiving cavity 26, even as one or the other may shift due to the forces acting thereupon.

[0033] As the skilled person will appreciate, dynam ic engagement between the retention member 12 and receiving cavity 26 may also allow for the mounting of the excavator tooth 22B to the tooth mount 22A to be more secure and stable, in that the resilient flexibility may provide an ‘urging force’ upon one or both of the excavator tooth 22B and the tooth mount 22A. The urging force may actively and dynamically ‘puli’, or urge, the excavator tooth 22B and tooth mount 22A together, thereby maintaining solid and stable engagement and contact therebetween. With particular reference to Figure 4B, as the retention member 12 is driven into receiving cavity 26, it may ultimately urge against a distal wall of said receiving cavity, which subsequently induces an opposing urging force in the locking pin body 10, urging the locking pin body towards the excavator bucket 20. This opposing urging force is also transmitted, via one or both ends of the locking pin body, into excavator tooth 22B, thereby urging the excavator tooth tighter against the mount 22A and bucket 20. In an embodiment wherein the retention member 12 comprises a resiliently flexible portion 16, the resiliently flexible portion may act sim ilar to a compression spring. Upon the retention member 12 extending into receiving cavity 26 and urging against the distal wall thereof, the resiliently flexible portion 16 may be under compression, thereby maintaining the urging force against the distal wall of the cavity 26 and the induced opposing urging force that urges the locking pin body 10 and the excavator tooth 22B towards the bucket 20 and tooth mount 22A.

[0034] As the skilled person may appreciate, the receiving cavity 26 does not need to be a cavity that is specifically configured to receive the retention member 12. Rather, in some embodiments of the present invention, the retention member 12 may be configured to enable any appropriately-positioned cavity within one of the tooth mount 22A and excavator tooth 22B to be used as a receiving cavity 26. I n other words, at least one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to be compatible with pre-existing excavator teeth and tooth mounts.

[0035] I n a further embodiment, the retention member 12 may comprise a resiliently flexible portion 16 that is further adapted to substantially compress, flex, mould or otherwise at least partially adapt to the internal shape of the appropriately-positioned cavity, thereby improving the ability of the retention member 12 to utilise the appropriately-positioned cavity as a receiving cavity 26.

[0036] In an embodiment and with reference to Figures 5A & 5B, the eccentric member 14 may be rotatable between a first position and a second position. I n the first position, the eccentric member 14 may be rotated such that the retention member 12 does not inhibit or prevent insertion and/or withdrawal of the locking pin body 10 from the aligned apertures 24A, 24B, which in one form may mean that the retention member is retracted into the pin body 10. I n the second position, the eccentric member 14 may be rotated such that the retention member is moved into an engagement position, which in one form may mean that the retention member 12 is outwardly protruding from the pin body 10. I n such a position, if the pin body 10 has been positioned within the aligned apertures 24A, 24B, the retention member 12 may engage with the receiving cavity 26 (or an appropriately-positioned cavity able to be used as a receiving cavity 26) , thereby holding the pin body 10 in place within the engaged excavator tooth 22B and tooth mount 22A.

[0037] In a further embodiment and with ongoing reference to Figures 5A & 5B, the eccentric member may further comprise a locking means 28 that is configured to retain the eccentric member in at least one of the first position and the second position. I n such an embodiment, the locking means 28 may ensure that in use, the retention member 12 is maintained in engagement with the receiving cavity 26. I n particular, the locking means 28 may ensure that the motions, vibrations or shaking of a vehicle to which the excavator bucket 20 is mounted do not induce rotation in the eccentric member 14, or at least reduce or ameliorate the effects thereof upon the eccentric member 14, thereby inhibiting or ameliorating the risk of accidental and/or unintended disengagement between the excavator tooth 22B and tooth mount 22A.

[0038] I n a further embodiment, the locking means 28 may comprise a protrusion that is configured, shaped or otherwise arranged to engage with a recess 30 on a portion of the eccentric member. In a further embodiment, the protrusion may be configured such that it will readily enter the recess 30 but is inhibited from exiting the recess unless a substantial force is applied. In this manner, the protrusion may inhibit or ameliorate the effects of movement, vibrations or shaking from inducing rotation in the eccentric member 14, but a user attempting to purposefully disengage the retention member 12 from the receiving cavity 26 may be able to rotate the eccentric member. I n an embodiment, the protrusion may comprise any one of a tab, extrusion, cam , nib, bearing or other form of protrusion. In an embodiment, the protrusion may be at least partially comprised of a resiliently flexible material such as rubber or vulcanized rubber. [0039] In an alternate embodiment, the locking means 28 may comprise a clamping system configured to frictionally engage with a portion of the eccentric member. I n a further alternate embodiment, the locking means 28 may comprise a locking nut, a sliding lock, a resistive spring or any other means known in the art to prevent, inhibit or ameliorate rotation of the eccentric member 14.

[0040] With reference to Figures 6A & 6B, there is depicted an embodiment of a locking pin, with Figure 6B depicting a cutaway of the same embodiment of the locking pin. As depicted therein, the pin body 10 may comprise a sheathe having a hollow portion 10b that substantially encapsulates the eccentric member 14, The pin body 10 may prevent, inhibit or at least ameliorate the detrimental effects of dust, fines and dirt upon the eccentric member 14. The retention member 12 may extend through a pin body aperture 32. In a further embodiment, the retention member 12 may be arranged such that, when the eccentric member 14 is rotated to a first position, the retention member 12 is substantially within the pin body 10, thereby not inhibiting insertion or withdrawal of the locking pin into or from the aligned apertures 24A, 24B. Upon rotation of the eccentric member 14 into the second position, the retention member 12 may extend outwardly from the pin body 10 through the pin body aperture 32.

[0041 ] With particular reference to Figure 6B, as the skilled person may appreciate small particulate such as dirt or fines, upon entering the locking pin, may ‘clog up’ around the eccentric member and prevent its rotation. This may prevent or inhibit a locking pin from being withdrawn, preventing removal of an excavator tooth 22B from the tooth mount 22A. I n a further embodiment, the locking pin may further comprise an actuation point 34 that is either an end of, or in mechanical connection with, the eccentric member 14. The actuation point 34 may enable a user to rotate the eccentric member 14 without requiring direct access thereto, thereby protecting the eccentric member from dirt, fines and other small particulate.

[0042] With continued reference to Figure 6B, in an embodiment the internal hollow portion 10b of the pin body 10 may comprise one or more mechanical seals 36. The mechanical seals may comprise one or more ridges, shoulders or irises that encircle the eccentric member 14 and provide a barrier to inhibit the entry of dirt, fines and other small particulate into the locking pin and/or to prevent, inhibit or ameliorate the movement of small particulate through the hollow portion 10b. Without lim iting the scope of the invention through theory, it is considered that the provision of a tortuous path within the pin body 10 may provide substantial defence against the ingress of small particulate matter such as dirt, fines and dust. As these substances are omnipresent in the majority of environments that a vehicle utilising an excavator bucket operates in, it is considered that the use of at least one mechanical seal 36 will improve the function of at least the present embodiment of the locking pin of the present invention and/or will allow for said functionality to be maintained for a greater length of time before the locking pin requires replacement. I n a further embodiment, the mechanical seal 36 may extend between an internal surface of the hollow portion 10b and the eccentric member 14. I n a further embodiment, the mechanical seal 36 may comprise a pair of complementarily-shaped ridges, shoulders or irises extending between the internal surface of the hollow portion 10b and the eccentric member 14, the complementarily-shaped ridges, shoulders or irises abutting one another, thereby improving the ability of the mechanical seal to inhibit the entry of small particulate.

[0043] In an embodiment, the locking pin may further comprise a sealing collar 38 that is within the hollow portion 10b of the pin body 10. The sealing collar 38 may comprise a resiliently flexible material and be arranged such that, when the retention member is extended moved outwardly from the pin body 10 (such as in order to engage with the receiving cavity 26) , the sealing collar 38 abuts with an inner surface of the pin body 10 and ‘seals’ the aperture through which the retention member 12 extends or moves.

[0044] As the skilled person may appreciate, certain embodiments of the present invention may require that the pin body 10 is manufactured in interfitting segments in order to properly encapsulate the eccentric member 14. As the skilled person may further appreciate, in at least some embodiments, rotation of the eccentric member 14 in order to move the retention member 12 may induce an outward force on the interfitting segments of the pin body 10 as a result of the rotation of the eccentric member being converted into linear motion of the retention member. I n light of this and with reference to Figure 7, an embodiment of the present invention may further comprise at least one end cap 40 configured to engage with at least some of the interfitting segments of the pin body 10, thereby retaining the segments in engagement with one another and resisting any outward forces that may urge the segments of the pin body 10 apart.

[0045] Not all excavator teeth and/or tooth mounts comprise a recess or cavity suitable to function as a receiving cavity 26. In some examples, aperture 24A, 24B may not be configured to be directly engageable by the locking pin of the present invention. Therefore, and with reference to Figures 8 & 9, in at least one embodiment the locking pin may further comprise a retainer 42 that is adapted to sit alongside, within or otherwise proximal to at least one of the apertures 24A, 24B of the excavator tooth 22B and tooth mount 22A. The retainer may comprise an internal cavity shaped to provide the receiving cavity 26, thereby enabling engagement and retention of the excavator tooth 22B on the tooth mount 22A. As depicted in Figure 9, the retainer is positioned such that it is not external to the excavator tooth 22B. I n one embodiment, it may sit within the aperture 24A, 24B of either the excavator tooth 22B or tooth mount 22A. I n an alternate embodiment, it may sit adjacent to either aperture 24A, 24B or within a widened portion of the aperture opening, or in a circumferential recess that at least partly surrounds the aperture opening. As the skilled person will appreciate, the retainer 42 is not fixed to the body 10 of the locking pin, enabling the locking pin body 10 to be inserted through or withdrawn from the retainer when the eccentric member 14 is in the first position. I n a further embodiment, engagement of the retention member 12 with the receiving cavity 26 laterally urges the retainer 42 against at least one surface of at least one of the excavator tooth 22B and the tooth mount 22A, frictionally engaging therewith and thereby ‘locking’ the excavator tooth 22B and tooth mount 22A to one another. I n another further embodiment, the retainer 42 is sized, shaped or otherwise adapted to be unable to pass, slip or otherwise move through the aperture 24A, 24B on the excavator tooth 22B. [0046] With reference to Figure 10, depicted therein is the locking pin engaged with the retainer 42. I n order to better illustrate this engagement, the body of the retainer 42 is depicted as partially transparent. I n an embodiment, the pin body 10 may be shaped or otherwise configured to comprise a locking groove 44. I n such an embodiment, when the retention member 12 engages with the receiving cavity 26 and urges thereagainst, the retainer 42 is pushed laterally. Upon full engagement of the retention member 12 with the receiving cavity 26 provided by the retainer 42, the body of the retainer sits within locking groove 44 formed in the locking pin body 10, so as to further secure the locking pin in place. The skilled person may appreciate that this provides a more secure attachment of the retainer and locking pin.

[0047] In an embodiment, in order to promote correct orientation of the pin body 10 relative to the retainer 42, the pin body may comprise one longitudinally-extending guide structure 18, with a complementary structure 46 on the inner surface of the retainer 42. Although Figure 10 depicts the guide structure as a groove and the complementary structure 46 as a protrusion, the skilled person will appreciate that this is exemplary only and that other variations of a guide structure 18 and complementary structure 46 enabling maintaining correct orientation are within the scope of the present invention.

[0048] In an embodiment, the retainer 42 may comprise one or more outer pads 48. These pads 48 may be flexible, malleable, or resiliently flexible pads and may be shaped, configured or otherwise adapted to urge against the walls of aperture 24A, 24B or otherwise against the body of excavator tooth 22B in order to provide a more snug fit of the retainer 42 thereto.

[0049] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms, variations and modifications other than those specifically described. The invention includes all such variation and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, components and/or devices referred to or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively and any and all combinations or any two or more of the steps or features. [0050] In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the word "comprising” is not intended to have the exclusive meaning of the word such as “consisting only of”, but rather has the non-exclusive meaning, in the sense of “including at least”. The same applies, with corresponding grammatical changes, to other forms of the word such as “comprise”, etc.

[0051 ] Other definitions for selected terms used herein may be found within the detailed description of the invention and apply throughout. Unless otherwise defined, all other scientific and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs.

[0052] Any promises made in the present document should be understood to relate to some embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to be promises made about the invention in all embodiments. Where there are promises that are deemed to apply to all embodiments of the invention, the applicant/patentee reserves the right to later delete them from the description and they do not rely on these promises for the acceptance or subsequent grant of a patent in any country.