TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to mounting assemblies for enhanced night vision goggles (ENVG), and more particularly to a switch system and mounting system for a single or dual ENVG.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Night vision devices are commonly used by military personnel for conducting operations in low light and night conditions. These night vision devices typically include image intensifier tubes and associated optics that convert infrared and near infrared light into viewable images.

[0003] Assemblies for mounting night vision goggles to a helmet or other headpieces are well known in the art. The mounting assemblies allow a user’s hands to remain free while viewing a scene through the night vision goggles. Prior art mounting assemblies typically include one or more of the following features: positional adjustment of the night vision goggles between an in-use position and a flip-up stowed position; a quick release system for detachment of ENVG from the mount; and semi-automatic shutdown of an attached ENVG.

[0004] Preferred assemblies for mounting night vision goggles to a helmet provide for the goggles to be attached to the helmet in a manner that allows a user to view a scene through the goggles without having to hold the goggles. Some of the prior mounting assemblies allow the user to reposition the mounting assembly and attached ENVG so that when a night vision device is not needed, such as in well-lit surroundings, the ENVG can be stowed while remaining attached to the helmet.

[0005] Some prior art devices include a semi-automatic shutdown feature that turns the ENVG off when repositioned to the stowed position. Some devices utilise a magnetic switch in the semi automatic shutdown, but these are limited in their operational aspects because, amongst other reasons, the user can falsely trigger the magnetic switch by looking up towards the sky while the ENVG is in the in-use position or by looking down when the ENVG is in the stowed position. This is a considerable disadvantage as the user is unable to see with the ENVG while looking up beyond a certain angle. It is also a disadvantage as the ENVG produces a viewable image by emitting visible light for the user when switched on and the user’s position can be given away to the enemy when the ENVG is falsely turned on while in the stowed position on the user’s helmet. This is a particularly serious issue for soldiers using ENVG.

[0006] While known mounting assemblies try to overcome this issue with specially shaped cavities for a magnet to travel in, or electronic sensors placed within the ENVG, it can be difficult to automatically distinguish the operational mode (i.e. in-use or stowed) of the ENVG.

[0007] An example of a prior art mounting assembly for night vision devices can be seen in U.S. Patent No. 6,862,748 to Prendergast. Prendergast discloses a module with an L-shaped cavity for a magnet to move in. The magnet moves by gravity from one end of the cavity to the other when repositioning the ENVG from an in-use position to a stowed position and activates a magnetic reed switch on the ENVG, turning the unit off. However, the magnet may also move from one end of the cavity to the other when the user looks up beyond a certain angle.

[0008] A further example of a prior art mounting assembly for night vision devices can be seen in U.S. Patent No. 8,497,465 to Hammond. Hammond disclosed an electronic orientation sensing switch system that uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to distinguish the position of the ENVG and adjust the power state of the ENVG accordingly. False activation of the switch can still occur if the user is required to look up or down beyond a preset angle.

[0009] It would be desirable to have the ability to distinguish if the ENVG is placed in an in-use position or in a stowed position with a higher degree of accuracy, and preferably without limiting a user’s visual range.

[0010] Known mounting assemblies also typically have a removable carriage that detaches from the main assembly. The ENVG is mounted to the removable carriage such that the ENVG can be removed from the helmet when not in use for extensive periods of time and stored more securely. The main assembly can remain attached to the helmet block for quick reattachment of the ENVG. The carriage assembly is usually slidably connected to the main assembly in a double dovetail interface, wherein a pair of parallel ridges in the carriage slidably engage a pair of recesses in the main assembly.

[0011] In some prior mounting assemblies only one eyepiece monocular ENVG can be attached.

A user must preselect if the left or right eye is preferred. While some mounting systems allow the ENVG to be mounted on the left or right side, often additional parts or tools are required to swap sides. It would therefore be desirable if the monocular mounting assembly could be used for both left and right eyes, and be easily swapped between left and right in the field.

[0012] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0013] The present invention is directed to a helmet mounting assembly for enhanced night vision goggles, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. More particularly, the helmet mounting assembly according to the present invention is designed to allow for automatic shutoff of an attached ENVG when stowed, and automatic activation of an ENVG when returned to the in- use position.

[0014] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in an automatic shutdown assembly for automatically shutting down a night vision device when it is not in the in-use position.

[0015] In a first aspect, the invention provides a flip-up helmet mount for an enhanced night vision goggle (ENVG) comprising (i) a helmet block adapted to secure the flip-up helmet mount to a helmet; (ii) a bracket member coupled to the helmet block and comprising an automatic shutoff mechanism; (iii) a carriage chassis coupled to the bracket member, wherein the carriage chassis is adapted to receive an ENVG; and (iv) a hinged pivot assembly associated with the carriage chassis, wherein the bracket member provides for rotational coupling between the carriage chassis and the helmet block, wherein the hinged pivot assembly enables the ENVG to be moved from a stowed position to an in-use position, and wherein the automatic shutoff mechanism comprises a magnet module.

[0016] Preferably, the automatic shutdown assembly comprises a magnet module that is positioned on the bracket member. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the magnet module comprises a magnet and a magnetically-responsive sensor.

[0017] The magnetically-responsive sensor can comprise a sensor or reed switch. The position of the sensor is such that it aligns with the magnet when the carriage chassis is repositioned from the in-use to the stowed position and is close enough in proximity for the magnet to activate the sensor. The sensor must also be far enough away from the magnet when in the in-use position such that it is not activated by the magnet.

[0018] Alternatively, the position of the magnet is such that it aligns with the sensor when the carriage chassis is in an in-use position and thus activates the ENVG. In this alternative, when the ENVG is in a stowed position, the sensor and magnet are far enough away from each other so that the ENVG is shutdown.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the magnet is associated with one side of the bracket member and the magnetically-responsive sensor is associated with the opposite side of the bracket member. Positioning both the magnet and the magnetically-responsive sensor on opposite sides of the bracket member provides for a higher degree of accuracy in responding to the ENVG being in an in-use position or a stowed position. Advantageously, such a positioning of the magnet and the magnetically-responsive sensor does not limit the head movements of the user.

[0020] In some embodiments, the magnet can be attached to one end of a Bowden cable. The Bowden cable can be associated with, or attached to, the hinged pivot assembly such that movement of the ENVG actuates the cable and attached magnet. When the ENVG is moved to a stowed position, the magnet is pushed by the Bowden cable to align with the sensor or reed switch, thus activating shutdown of the ENVG. Conversely, when the ENVG is moved to an in-use position, the magnet is pulled by the Bowden cable out of the field of the sensor or reed switch, thus activating the ENVG.

[0021] Alternatively, the magnet and Bowden cable can be associated with, or attached to, the hinged pivot assembly such that when the ENVG is moved to a stowed position, the magnet is pulled by the Bowden cable out of the field of the sensor or reed switch, thus activating shutdown of the ENVG. Conversely, when the ENVG is moved to an in-use position, the magnet is pushed by the Bowden cable to align with the sensor or reed switch, thus activating the ENVG.

[0022] In alternative embodiments, the magnet can be replaced with other proximity sensors.

[0023] For example, a mechanical switch or an electronic switch such as a reed switch could be associated with, or attached to, the hinged pivot assembly and connected to cables or wires connected to contact pads inside the carriage assembly proximate the ENVG connection to the carriage chassis. Reciprocal contact pads on the ENVG make an electronic connection between the mount and the ENVG to form a switching loop. Thus, when the ENVG is in a stowed position, the switch is open and the ENVG is off, and conversely when the ENVG is in an in-use position, the switch is closed, thus activating the ENVG. Alternatively, the

[0024] The helmet mount can further comprise a mode selection switch, wherein the modes that can be selected comprise‘on’ or‘off’, with‘on’ corresponding to enabling automatic shutdown, and ‘off corresponding to disabling automatic shutdown. Thus, the magnet module operates to automatically shutdown the night vision device whenever it is not in the in-use position, and the appropriate switch selection (‘on’) is made on the ENVG.

[0025] In a further embodiment, rotating the carriage chassis from the in-use position to the stowed position moves the magnet towards the sensor to increase the proximity of the magnet module to the sensor in the stowed position, thereby activating shutdown of the ENVG.

[0026] In a further alternative embodiment, the magnet can be positioned on the carriage chassis to increase the proximity of the magnet to the sensor.

[0027] In a further alternative embodiment, the sensor can be located in the carriage chassis. The sensor can be coupled to the ENVG through conductive pins or similar means and send its magnetic activation to the ENVG.

[0028] In a further alternative embodiment, the magnet can be positioned in the carriage chassis or ENVG, and the sensor positioned in the bracket member. The sensor can be powered by an external power supply or battery, with the battery not located in the ENVG. Advantageously with this embodiment, the weight of the power supply is removed from the ENVG and positioned closer to the spine, reducing fatigue on the user. The external battery could also power the ENVG.

[0029] Positioning of the magnet in relation to the sensor as described, produces a reliable automatic shutdown assembly that senses the proximity of the bracket member or carriage chassis and ENVG, irrespective of the orientation of the user’s viewing angle. This leads to greater accuracy in distinguishing the operational mode (i.e., in use or stowed).

[0030] Preferably, the carriage chassis is removably secured into a receiving socket on the bracket member, thereby providing for quick separation of the carriage chassis from the bracket member and thus rapid removal of the ENVG from the helmet.

[0031] In a second aspect, the invention provides a flip-up helmet mount for an enhanced night vision goggle (ENVG) comprising (i) a helmet block adapted to secure the flip-up helmet mount to a helmet; (ii) a bracket member coupled to the helmet block; (iii) a carriage chassis coupled to the bracket member; (iv) a hinged pivot assembly associated with the carriage chassis; and (v) a bridge assembly coupled to the carriage chassis, wherein the bracket member provides for rotational coupling between the carriage chassis and the helmet block, wherein the hinged pivot assembly enables the ENVG to be moved from a stowed position to an in-use position, and wherein the coupling between the bridge assembly and the carriage chassis enables a monocular ENVG to be attached for either right eye or left eye viewing.

[0032] In one embodiment, the coupling between the bridge assembly and the carriage chassis comprises a moveable dovetail plate that couples into a corresponding receiving socket of the carriage chassis.

[0033] In use, the ENVG is removably secured to the helmet mount via coupling of the dovetail plate on the bridge assembly and the receiving socket of the carriage chassis. The bridge assembly can be uncoupled from the carriage chassis, rotated horizontally by 180 degrees and recoupled to the carriage chassis, thereby switching a monocular ENVG from either left or right eye viewing to the other side. Florizontal rotation of the ENVG by 180 degrees is also required to ensure the eyepiece of the ENVG is correctly positioned against the user’s eye.

[0034] Preferably, the dovetail plate is symmetrical such that it can be secured into the corresponding receiving socket in multiple orientations. Advantageously, the dovetail plate does not need to be removed from the bridge assembly, and therefore no tools are required by the user in order to convert a monocular ENVG from right eye viewing to left eye viewing.

[0035] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0036] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangement of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

[0038] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a helmet with an associated ENVG device using a helmet mount system according to an embodiment of the invention wherein the ENVG is in the in-use position.

[0040] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the helmet mount system shown in FIG. 1 wherein the helmet is not shown and the system is in the in-use position.

[0041] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the helmet mount system shown in FIG. 2 in the in-use position.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of a helmet mount system according to an embodiment of the invention in the stowed position, wherein the helmet is not shown.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic side view of a helmet mount system according to an embodiment of the invention in the stowed position.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the in-use position.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the stowed position.

[0047] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the in-use position.

[0048] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the stowed position.

[0049] FIG. 11 is a perspective schematic view of a helmet with an associated monocular ENVG device using a helmet mount system according to an embodiment of the invention wherein the ENVG is in a position for viewing with the right eye of a user.

[0050] FIG. 12 is a perspective schematic view of a helmet with an associated monocular ENVG device using a helmet mount system according to an embodiment of the invention wherein the ENVG is in a position for viewing with the left eye of a user.

[0051] FIG. 13 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the helmet mounting system and ENVG shown in Fig. 12.

[0052] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the helmet mount system and ENVG shown in FIG. 11 wherein the helmet is not shown.

[0053] FIG. 15 is a schematic top view of a helmet mount system and ENVG according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0054] FIG. 16 is a schematic front view of a helmet mount system and ENVG according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0055] FIG. 17 is a schematic top view of a dual sided dovetail plate according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0056] FIG. 18 is a schematic bottom view of a dual sided dovetail plate according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0057] FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of a dual sided dovetail plate according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0058] Fig. 20 is a schematic side perspective view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the in-use position.

[0059] FIG. 21 is a schematic side view of helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the in-use position.

[0060] FIG. 22 is a schematic side perspective view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the stowed position.

[0061] FIG. 23 is a schematic side view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the stowed position.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 1 , 2, 3, 4 and 5, an embodiment of a flip-up helmet mount 2 according to the present invention is shown. The flip-up helmet mount 2 is shown in use with a standard composite helmet with a Visual Augmentation System (VAS) shroud 4. The flip-up helmet mount 2 is attached to the helmet 4 by a helmet block 6. A pair of enhanced night vision goggles (ENVG) 8 are secured to the helmet 4 by use of the flip-up helmet mount 2. Each ENVG 8 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that includes a single objective lens 10, a ENVG housing 12, and an eye-piece 14. The ENVG 8 is attached individually to the helmet mount 2 by a carriage chassis 18, which is mounted to a bracket member 16. The bracket member 16 comprises a bracket member upper 20 and a bracket member lower 22 which can rotate around the bracket member hinge 24. To use the ENVG 8, the operator places it in the position depicted in FIG. 1 and looks into the eye-pieces 14 to see an enhanced image representative of the low-level light from a night scene which has entered the objective lens 10. [0063] As shown in FIG. 1 , the ENVG 8 is positioned to be in front of the operator’s eyes so that the operator may look through the eye-pieces 14 of the ENVG 8. This position is referred to as the“in-use” position. However, the flip-up helmet mount 2 also allows the operator to rotate the bracket member lower 22 around the bracket member hinge 24, allowing the operator to stow the ENVG 8 completely above the line of sight of the operator, to permit normal, unobstructed vision as depicted in FIG. 4 and 5. This position is referred to as the“stowed” position.

[0064] Automatic Shut Down Assembly

[0065] The flip-up helmet mount 2 provides for automatic shutdown of the ENVG 8 when in the stowed position. More particularly, the flip-up helmet mount 2 provides for reliable and automatic shutdown of the night vision device 8. Accordingly, the flip-up helmet mount 2 provides for automatic activation of the ENVG 8 when in the in-use position. Furthermore, the flip-up helmet mount 2 provides for maintenance and servicing of the automatic shutdown assembly in the field.

[0066] As is well known in the art, the night vision goggle 8 includes a power supply in the form of a battery pack (not shown) internal to the housing 12 or remotely on the rear of the helmet 4. A power supply circuit provides power to an image intensifier tube (not shown), which supplies an intensified image in phosphor yellow/green light of the scene viewed by the objective lens 10 to the eye-pieces 14.

[0067] Referring now to FIG. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the flip-up helmet mount includes a magnet module 26 located on the bracket member upper 20. The magnet module 26 comprises a magnet 28 held in a magnet cavity 30 by a magnet cover 32 (FIG. 6). The magnet 28 emits a magnetic field 34 (FIG. 7 and 8).

[0068] The ENVG 8 also includes a magnetically-responsive sensor 36 inside the ENVG housing 12. The magnetically-responsive sensor 36 removes electrical power to the ENVG 8 when a magnetic field 34 of sufficient strength is supplied to the magnetically-responsive sensor 36. An automatic shutdown assembly is essential when using a flip-up helmet mount 2, since, as best seen in FIG. 5, should the user forget to turn off the night vision goggle before moving it to the stowed position, the phosphor yellow/green light emitted from the eye-pieces 14 would be visible to possibly hostile personnel in front of the user. The phosphor yellow/green light would appear as a pair of small spot lights and may be visible at great distances at night, indicating the position of the user of the night vision goggle to those in front of the user.

[0069] Accordingly, the flip-up helmet mount 2 includes an automatic shutdown assembly to provide the necessary magnetic field 34 to the magnetically-responsive sensor 36 when the night vision device 8 is in the stowed position, while at the same time ensuring that the magnetic field is removed from the magnetically-responsive sensor 36 when the night vision goggle 8 is pivoted to the in-use position.

[0070] One of the advantages of the automatic shutdown assembly provided for in the flip-up helmet mount 2 is that it is more reliable than the assemblies provided for in the prior art. This reliability of the shutdown assembly is due an understanding of the absolute position between the bracket member upper 20 and bracket member lower 22 and therefore operational mode of the ENVG 2. Advantageously, the absolute position of the bracket member 16 is irrespective of the user’s head position and is not altered by gravity or other outside circumstances.

[0071] When using the flip-up helmet mount 2, the operator can adjust the position of the eye pieces 14 in relation to the operator’s eyes, to optimize the viewing conditions of the ENVG 8. The magnet module 26 may also require some positional adjustment to ensure that the magnetically- responsive sensor 36 can optimally sense the magnetic field 34 produced by the magnet 28 when in the stowed position, and not when in the in-use position.

[0072] The magnet module 26 can be repositioned using a magnet adjustment assembly 38 as shown in FIG. 9 and 10. The magnet adjustment assembly 38 can be geared or coupled with the bracket member hinge 24, such that when the bracket member lower 22 is rotated towards the bracket member upper 20, the magnet adjustment assembly 38 pivots towards the bracket member upper 20, ensuring the magnet 28 is in proximity to the magnetically-responsive sensor 36. Other adjustment methods can be utilised to adjust the proximity of the magnet 28 and magnetically-responsive sensor 36 when in the stowed and in-use positions, providing for optimisation of the magnetically controlled automatic shutdown of the ENVG.

[0073] Alternatively, the magnet module 26 can be positioned inside the ENVG housing 12 and the magnetically-responsive sensor 36 can be placed on the bracket member upper 20, helmet block 6, or helmet 4.

[0074] Multi Orientated Mounting System

[0075] Referring now to FIG. 11 and 12, an embodiment of a flip-up helmet mount 2 according to the present invention is show where only a single ENVG 8 is attached the flip-up helmet mount 2 providing a monocular system that provides an eye-piece 14 to only one of the operator’s eyes.

[0076] In the embodiments as shown in FIG. 13 and 14, the ENVG 8 is removable from the carriage chassis 18 for storage purposes. As shown in FIG. 13, 14, 15, and 16, the ENVG 8 is attached to the carriage chassis 18 through a bridge assembly 40. The bridge assembly 40 includes a slidable dovetail plate 42 that is received by the carriage chassis dovetail receiver slot 54 in the carriage chassis 18. The ENVG 8 includes a Picatinny rail 46 which is a military standard rail interface system used by many manufacturers. The Picatinny rail 46 is received by a Picatinny clamp 48 located on the bridge assembly 40.

[0077] The bridge assembly 40 can be removed from the carriage chassis 18 and rotated horizontally and re-attached to the carriage chassis 18 allowing the operator to swap the monocular ENVG system 8 from the left eye to the right eye and vice versa.

[0078] Similarly, the Picatinny rail 46 and Picatinny clamp 48 allow the operator to rotate the ENVG 8 horizontally and reattach it to the Picatinny clamp 48. This ensures the eye-piece 14 is up against the operator’s eye, irrespective of whether the bridge assembly 40 is positioned on the left or right side.

[0079] Turning now to FIG. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, there is shown an embodiment wherein the ENVG 8 is secured to the slidable dovetail plate 42 through dovetail locating holes 50. The slidable dovetail plate 42 includes several dovetail tapered faces 52 that interface with the carriage chassis dovetail receiver slot 54 ensuring the slidable dovetail plate 42 and attached ENVG 8 are secured firmly. This firm interface is important as it reduces the amount of movement of the ENVG 8 relative to the user’s eye(s).

[0080] The slidable dovetail plate 42 includes a dovetail locking face 56. In some embodiments this face is shared with the dovetail tapered face 52. The carriage chassis dovetail receiver 44 includes a dovetail locking ball 58 (not shown) or similar mechanism that pushes against the dovetail locking face 56 and ensures the slidable dovetail plate 42 cannot be removed until the dovetail release button 60 (not shown) is actuated.

[0081] In a particular embodiment, the slidable dovetail plate 42 includes dovetail tapered faces 52 and dovetail locking face 56 which are symmetrical around the slidable dovetail plate’s 42 mid point. The symmetrical dovetail tapered faces 52 allow the slidable dovetail plate to be inserted into the carriage chassis dovetail receiver slot 54 from multiple directions allowing an operator to affix the ENVG 8 to the bridge assembly 40 in multiple orientations without the need to remove the slidable dovetail plate 42 from the ENVG 8. The symmetrical dovetail locking face 56 allows the dovetail locking ball 58 (not shown) to secure the slidable dovetail plate 42 to the bridge assembly 40 from any orientation. [0082] Automatic Shut Down Assembly - Bowden cable

[0083] Referring now to FIG. 20, 21 , 22 and 23, the flip-up helmet mount includes a magnet 62 at one end of a Bowden cable 64 as part of an automatic shutdown assembly. Moving the ENVG from the in-use position of FIG. 20 and 21 to the stowed position of FIG. 22 and 23, as indicated by the dashed arrows 66 in FIG. 21 , results in activating shutdown of the ENVG. Dependent on where the magnetically-responsive sensor (not shown) is positioned relative to the magnet 62, moving the ENVG to a stowed position either removes the magnet 62 from the magnetically- responsive sensor to activate shutdown of the ENVG, or positions the magnet within range of the magnetically-responsive sensor to activate shutdown of the ENVG.

[0084] Conversely, moving the ENVG from the stowed position of FIG. 22 and 23 to the in-use position of FIG. 20 and 21 , as indicated by the dashed arrows 66 in FIG. 23, results in activating shutdown of the ENVG. Dependent on where the magnetically-responsive sensor (not shown) is positioned relative to the magnet 62, moving the ENVG to an in-use position either removes the magnet 62 from the magnetically-responsive sensor to activate the ENVG, or positions the magnet within range of the magnetically-responsive sensor to activate the ENVG.

[0085] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word‘comprising’ and its derivatives including‘comprises’ and‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0086] Reference throughout this specification to‘one embodiment’ or‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases‘in one embodiment’ or‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more

combinations.

[0087] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.