BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[ 0001 ] The present disclosure relates generally to a sharps blade application device. In particular, the sharps blade application device assists in attaching a blade to a medical tool and retains the blade in a substantially enclosed blade application device prior to attachment of the blade onto the medical tool.

SUMMARY OF THE PRIOR ART AND STATE OF THE ART

[ 0002 ] Traditionally, the scalpel blade is packaged individually in sterile pouches.

Typically, the medical personnel will open the pouch and let the blade fall into a sterile field as reaching into the pouch to remove the blade would have a high probability of accidental puncture. Once the blade is loose in the sterile field, the personnel will use a clamp or a needle driver to pick up the blade very carefully along the spine portion of the blade in order to prevent any contact with a sharps portion of the blade. This is particularly difficult with a small scalpel blades such as a number 11 or a number 15.

[ 0003 ] Another method for the arming of a scalpel includes opening the pouch and clamping onto the blade and to remove it from the pouch. The blade is then inserted onto the handle. This is a dangerous operation as a user's hand is right next to the exposed sharps blade. It is therefore desired to implement a safer sharps blade applicator.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[ 0004 ] The invention as disclosed herein is a blade applicator and storage device that is capable of being used by many different types of blades. The blade applicator and storage device provides access to the tang portion of the blade, which is the end opposite of the sharp point of the blade, to interface with a handle that attaches to the blade to become a sharps cutting tool. This device can be used for a wide variety of scalpel blades, and is designed to allow the user to see through the device through multiple portals to identify the contents of the device and to assure that the blade is properly located in the device without contact therewith. The device is also used with craft style sharps, such as X-Acto style of blades, thereby creating a universal device for the most common used detachable sharps tool. Accordingly, the device disclosed herein is configured to protect a user thereof from accidental puncture by a sharps blade. The user should be protected in the insertion or attachment of the blade onto the handle, whether the sharps blade is in a hospital setting or simply in an arts and crafts setting within X-Acto blade.

[0005] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a blade application and storage device which secures a blade in an orientation to allow for attachment to a mounting handle is disclosed. The blade has a spine portion, an edge portion, a distal point conjoining the spine portion to the edge portion, and a proximal tang portion. The blade application and storage device includes an anterior portion having a gripping area and at least one resistive button. The blade application and storage device further includes an upper rail and a lower rail. An interior portion having at least one blade securement device is located for contact with the spine portion or the tang portion of the blade. The anterior portion of the device provides a void area between the edge portion and the interior portion to prevent contact between the interior portion of the device and the edge portion of the blade during storage or removal of the blade from the device. A posterior portion is adapted for insertion of the blade thereinto, wherein the tang portion of the blade is exposed in the posterior portion. An exterior portion containing the gripping area and at least one viewing portal that extends through the device on an axis perpendicular to a blade axis. The portal exposes the edge portion of the blade to ensure that there is an absence of contact and to easily identify a type of blade being secured therein.

[0006] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a sharps application and storage device which secures a sharp in an orientation to allow for attachment to a mounting handle is disclosed. The sharp has a spine portion, a sharp edge portion, a distal sharp point conjoining the spine portion to the sharp edge portion and a proximal tang portion. The sharps application and storage device includes an anterior portion having a gripping area and at least one resistive button. The sharps application and storage device further includes an upper rail and a lower rail. An interior portion has an upper sharp securement device located therein for contact with the spine portion of the sharp. A lower sharps securement device is located between the spine portion of the sharp and the sharp edge portion. The anterior portion of the device provides sufficient void area to prevent any contact between the anterior portion of the device and the sharp edge portion of the sharp. A posterior portion is adapted for insertion of the sharp thereinto. An exterior portion containing the gripping area and at least one continuous viewing portal that extends through the device. [ 0007] According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, a sharps blade application and storage device which secures a sharps blade in an orientation to allow for attachment to a mounting handle is disclosed. The sharps blade has a spine portion, a sharp edge portion, a distal sharp point conjoining the spine portion to the sharp edge portion and a proximal tang portion. The sharps blade application and storage device includes an anterior portion having at least one resistive button. The sharps blade application and storage device further includes an upper rail and a lower rail. An interior portion has a sharps blade securement device located for contact with the spine portion of the sharps blade and the tang portion of the sharps blade. Removal of the sharps blade is accomplished by withdrawing the sharps blade along an angular displacement path. A posterior portion is adapted for insertion of the sharps blade thereinto the interior portion. An exterior portion containing at least one continuous viewing portal extending through the device on an axis perpendicular to a sharps blade axis, the portal exposing the sharp edge portion of said the sharps blade.

[ 0008 ] According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the sharps blade application and storage device can store a sharps blade using the same device that will be used for its application onto a handle, with said storage device holding the blade in such a manner as to preclude damage and/or de- sterilization to the sharp edge portion of the blade.

[ 0009 ] According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the sharps blade application and storage device is configured so that the users hand and fingers are not at risk of accidental puncture while a sharps blade is being inserted into the appropriate handle.

[ 0010 ] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1 1 ] FIG. 1 is a plan elevation view of the left side of a one-button embodiment of sharps device;

[ 0012 ] FIG. 2 is a plan elevation view of the right side of the sharps device;

[ 0013 ] FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the sharps device;

[ 0014 ] FIG. 4 is a frontal elevation view of the sharps device;

[ 0015 ] FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of the sharps device;

[ 0016 ] FIG. 6 is a bottom elevation view of the sharps device; [0017] FIG. 7, is a right side elevation view with a scalpel inserted within the device;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the device with the scalpel therein;

[0019] FIG. 9 is a left side to right side cross-sectional view taken along the reference line of FIG. 8 of the one-button body embodiment with the scalpel inserted to show the device in use;

[0020] FIG. 10 is arear left side elevation of the one-button device with a blade inserted showing the relationship between the blade and the device;

[0021 ] FIG. 11 is a left side elevation view of the one- button embodiment with the scalpel inserted therein;

[0022] FIG. 12 is a left side elevation view of the two-button embodiment of the device with the scalpel held therein;

[0023] FIG. 13 is a left side elevation view of the two-button embodiment of the device;

[0024] FIG. 14 is a right side elevation view of the two-button embodiment of the device;

[0025] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the two-button embodiment of the device with the scalpel in place;

[0026] FIG. 16 is a bottom elevation view of the two-button embodiment of the device with the scalpel in place;

[0027] FIG. 17 is a frontal elevation view of the two-button embodiment of the device;

[0028] FIG. 18 is a rear view elevation of the two-button embodiment of the device;

[0029] FIG. 19 is a top view elevation of the two-button embodiment of the device.

[0030] FIG. 20 is a bottom elevation view of the two-button embodiment of the device;

[0031 ] FIG. 21 is a right side elevation of the two-button embodiment of the device and details the cross-sectional dividing lines for views in FIGS. 22 and 23;

[0032] FIG. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view detailing the button area;

[0033] FIG. 23 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the button area;

[0034] FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view of the two-piece embodiment of the device;

[0035] FIG. 25 is a front bottom perspective view of the two-piece device with the top portion hinged open and a blade inserted to show the relationship between the blade and the interior of the device;

[0036] FIG. 26 is a bottom perspective view of the two-piece embodiment with the top portion hinged open; and

[0037] FIG. 27 is a rearward bottom perspective view of the two-piece embodiment with the blade inserted to show the detail between the blade and the interior of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[ 0038 ] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left,"

"rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[ 0039 ] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein.

However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design and some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[ 0040 ] As used herein, the term "and/or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[ 0041 ] Referring to FIGS. 1-27, reference numeral 100 generally designates a blade application and storage device that secures a blade in an orientation to allow for attachment to a mounting handle. The blade has a spine portion, an edge portion, a distal point conjoining the spine portion to the edge portion, and a proximal tang portion. The blade application and storage device includes an anterior portion 110 having a gripping area and at least one resistive button 103. The blade application and storage device further includes an upper rail 160 and a lower rail 151. An interior portion having at least one blade securement device 286 is located for contact with the spine portion or the tang portion of the blade. The anterior portion 110 of the device provides a void area between the edge portion and the interior portion to prevent contact between the interior portion of the device 100 and the edge portion of the blade during storage or removal of the blade from the device 100. A posterior portion 111 is adapted for insertion of the blade thereinto, wherein the tang portion of the blade is exposed in the posterior portion. An exterior portion containing the gripping area and at least one viewing portal that extends through the device on an axis perpendicular to a blade axis. The portal exposes the edge portion of the blade to ensure that there is an absence of contact and to easily identify a type of blade being secured therein.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, a device 100 having a singular button 103 to hold a sharp in place once inserted into the device 100 is illustrated. The device 100 consists of an anterior portion 110 and a posterior portion 11 1. The anterior portion of device 100 consists of a gripping area with an anti-slip mechanism that is contoured to accept a user's thumb and forefinger. Left side ribs 101 and right side ribs 102 are but one of the anti-slip mechanisms that can be used, could the anti-slip mechanism may also include ribs, cross- hatching, knurling, and/or a textured surface sections. Also in the anterior portion 110 is the button 103, which also contains an anti-slip feature 104 on the exterior side of button 103. The anti-slip feature 104 aids the user in an environment where fluids are often present. The anti-slip feature 104, in this embodiment, is configured as ribs that are similar to ribs 101 and 102. Button 103 is attached at a proximal end using a living hinge 106. A wedge surface 105 is on the interior side of button 103, which is set off from the interior surface through wedge 107. Wedge 107 is designed to be an angular section whereby wedge surface 105 is located past the center point of the interior of device 100.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 3, the wedge 107 and the wedge surface 105 are in a relaxed non-use state and are disposed past the centerline of the device 100. When the user inserts the sharp into the device 100, it is the living hinge 106 resistance to an outward bending moment which creates the force of friction to hold the blade within the device. By design of hinge 106, there is a resistive force to the displacement of the button 103 once the sharp has been inserted. FIG. 4 shows that button 103 extends out from the left side rib area 101. An anterior end 110 of the button 103 is shown as a rounded surface, but it will be appreciated that the button 103 is not limited having to a rounded surface. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are top and bottom views, respectively, which show that rib section 101 and rib section 102 have a concave-shaped surface, which enables the user to more firmly grip the device.

[0044] The illustrated device 100 has four opposing lower blade holding features and three upper blade holding features located in the interior portion of the device. Each of said blade holding features are independent and are constructed to be rigid enough to resist the outward bending of the feature as the blade is inserted such that the blade is held in place due to the resistive nature of each feature. Said features are counter opposing one another and also define an interior blade slot 140. Slot 140 includes an entrance 141 upper slot 142 that is defined by the three upper blade holding features and a lower slot 143 that is defined by the four lower blade holding features. Upper slot 142 is located along the interior side of an upper rail 160. The four lower blade holding features 152, 154, 155, and 157 extend from the lower rail 151. Each said lower blade holding features has a sharps blade securement mechanism. In this disclosure the blade sharps blade securement mechanism are a series of detent ribs which are located parallel to the spine portion of the blade. At least one detent rib 153, 156, 158, and 159 makes contact with and holds the blade in position. The distance between the counter opposing lower ribs create a gap whereby the blade is held firmly and the lower blade features 152, 154, 155, and 157 bending moment will secure the blade within the slots. It is important that the detents do not create a resistive slot thereby possibly touching the sharps portion of the sharp. Contact with the sharps portion of the sharp may de-sterilize the sharp or possibly damage the sharp edge portion of the sharp. The lower blade holding features contact the middle portion of the sharp approximately equidistant from the spine portion to the lower sharp edge portion of the blade. Upper rail 160 has three upper blade holding features 162 164 and 166 in series and each detent feature has an associated detent rib 161, 163, and 165, respectively. The upper rail 160 is located so that there does not exist any possible contact between the sharps edge portion of the blade with any of the interior portions of the device. According to one embodiment, the gripping area is a void area of no less than .035" such that the blade is not in contact with any feature of the device, thereby preventing damage to the sharp edge portion of the blade and/or de-sterilization thereof.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 7, the device 100 has the sharp blade inserted into the device.

Viewing portal 180 details a viewing window which can be defined in any embodiment such that the tip of the blade is visible. The purpose for this is to show that the tip of the blade is not in contact with any perpendicular surface, which could have the potential to de-sterilize and/or dull the tip of the blade. Alternatively, the device 100 may be formed from a transparent material such that portions of the blade are visible therethrough.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 8, the sharps blade is inserted into the device and identifiable while contained therein. As the device 100, in this embodiment, can be used for a variety of blades, an identification feature is used to enable the user to identify the correct blade to use. The identification feature may be the viewing feature, the transparent portion of the device 100, or any other feature that allows the blade within the device 100 to be identified.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 9, the wedge surface 105 is in contact with the sharps blade such that the position of the wedge surface is not touching any of the sharp portions of the blade. As also illustrated in FIG. 9, the upper and lower blade features do not contact the blade along any of the sharp portions of the blade. The tang portion of the blade is accessible so as not to preclude any form of handle, such as an X-Acto blade handle, access to a portion or to the entire tang portion of the blade in order to secure it into the handle.

[0048] The device 100 and the blade may independently be sterilized before insertion of the blade into the device 100. Or, alternatively, the device 100 may be sterilizeable while the blade is inserted into the device. Sterilization can take place repeatedly using an autoclave, ethylene oxide, gamma radiation, or similar sterilization methods. The design of the device may be devoid of internal voids or pockets which would make sterilization difficult.

[0049] In the operation, the user inserts the blade ensuring that the spine portion of the blade is in contact with the upper rail 160. Due to the nature of this design there is no chance for the sharp portion of the blade to be in contact with any of the detents or the holding wedge According to one embodiment, there will be no less than a 0.035" inch (0.889 mm) gap between the sharps portion of the blade in the interior portion of lower rail 150. When the user needs to use the sharps blade, the user using a forefinger and thumb grasping method, holds the device, and applies pressure onto the button 103 so that forward progress of the blade will be prohibited. The user then inserts the holder of the handle into the tang portion of the blade and, using a rearward motion , removes the blade by withdrawing the blade from the device without contact with the sharp portion of the blade. In this embodiment, the entire tang portion is accessible for attachment onto a handle and all 4 sides of the tang portion are exposed for ease of access and to adapt to a variety of blades. As aforementioned, this device can be used for sharps other than for the style of a surgical scalpel where one has a holder which interrelates to the tang portion of the blade. This device can be used for those other sharps holders using the same withdrawal action once the handle is secured to the blade. [0050] Referring to FIG. 12, a two-button device 200 having similar features and concepts as the one button device 100 is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the device 200 includes at least two buttons that hold the sharps blade in place once inserted into the device. The device 200 has two counter-opposing button wedge surfaces located in the anterior portion. As with the one button device where one button provides friction through contact and pressure onto the blade to prevent movement, the two-button device 200 has two opposing button wedge devices 251 (on the left side) and 260 (on the right side) where the opposing wedge surfaces 255 and 265, respectively, act together to hold the blade through friction and resistive pressure. An anterior end 210 is shown as a rounded surface. However, the anterior end 210 may have a flat surface so that this device could be stored or used in a standing or vertical position. The finger gripping area located near the anterior end 210 has a ribbed surface 271 on the left side and 270 on the right side where said surfaces are contoured to accept a user's finger and thumb. Ribs are disposed on the gripping area that increase the anti-slip properties so that the user's fingers do not move. Alternatively, the gripping area may include a gnarled area or a roughened area.

[0051 ] The posterior end 280 includes a defined upper rail 260 and a lower rail 250 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the device 200 has a single pillar 258 located on lower rail 250. Near the distal end, the pillar serves as a guide and also serves as a rest with post 252 and post shelf 259 once the blade is inserted through slot 275.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 18, The posterior end of the device 200is illustrated having at least two blade holding features in series. As disclosed, the upper rail 260 has a single blade holding feature located on the left side 262 and a blade holding feature on the right side 273 located in the interior portion of the device. According to one embodiment, the upper rail 260 shall hold the device with no less than .035" inch of a void area between the sharp portion of the blade and the interior portion of lower rail 250. Each blade holding feature has a sharps blade securement mechanism, which are shown as detent ribs that are located parallel to the spine portion of the blade. The detent ribs 262 and 274, respectively, make contact with the upper portion of the blade along the spine portion of the blade as the blade is inserted into the device along upper interior rail 275. The spine portion of the sharp is the sharp edge portion of the blade opposite the sharp edge portion of the blade. In this fashion, the sharp edge portion of the blade is not in contact with any objects that could cause damage to the sharp blade. Guidance post 276 is placed to ensure that the blade will not deviate into the walls possibly damaging the sharp edge portion of the blade during insertion and provides positive pressure on the blade against the detent ribs thereby securing the blade from movement.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the buttons 251, 261 in the two-button device are in contact at rest. Button 251 has hammer portion 255 emanating perpendicular from button 251, which terminates in gripper 287. Likewise, button 261 has hammer 265 terminating in gripper 286. Shown here, grippers 286 and 287 have multiple vertical ribs to increase surface contact pressure and to minimize the area of contact with the actual sharps blade. This does not preclude other such friction means. Since button 251 and 261 are made of plastic material it is the natural resistivity or elasticity of the plastic that will allow the buttons to bend outwardly as the sharp is inserted, and the natural resistivity of the plastic will hold the blade in place through friction.

[0054] In operation of the two-button device, the user will insert the blade through slot

275 with a slight downward angle and then, using post 252 and post shelf 259 as a fulcrum, will rotate the blade upwardly through the sharps blade securement devices. This will prevent the sharp portion of the blade from contacting any portion of the device 200. This spine portion of the blade will be held along the detents to 262 and 274 and the body of the blade will be held by either sharps blade securement devices 286 and 287. When the user wishes to withdraw the blade, the user grasps the anterior end of the device 200 using a thumb and forefinger, pressing upon each of the buttons 251 and 261. The user orients the device such that the blade holder portion of the handle will interface with the exposed tang portion of the blade. The user then simply inserts the holder of the handle into the tang portion and withdraws the blade with an angular displacement towards the right side of the device thereby enabling the tang portion of the blade to become removed from post shelf 259 . The blade is then removed in a rearward withdrawal action without having the sharp edge portion of the blade near any surface of the device 200.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 17, the buttons 251 and 261 extend all the way to the lower rail

250 so that this device is able to stand independently on a flat surface. This does not preclude the concept of having the button taper into the body so that there does not exist any flat area associated with lower rail 250. It is also noted that distal end 210, as illustrated, is rounded, but does not preclude a flattened distal end 210 which would allow the device to be in a vertical orientation for use. [0056] The user may be able to see that the blade has been inserted properly and that there is no contact with the sharpest portion of the blade. Viewing window 281 and viewing port 282 serve the purpose of allowing the user to see that the sharps portion the blade is not in contact with any portion of the device. The viewing window 281 allows for the sharps blade that is contained therein to be identified. Alternatively, as discussed above, the device 200, or portions thereof, may be formed from a transparent material such that the blade within the device 200 may be viewed through the material.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 24 through 27, the device is configured from two pieces and divide the device along its longitudinal planar axis thereby separating an upper portion from a lower portion, and creating an interior recess in each of the two halves. As shown herein, the divided pieces are of the same length. However, in alternate embodiments, the divided pieces may be of differing lengths. The interior recess is formed such that the blade may be placed into the device rather than needing to insert the blade into the device through the posterior opening. This creates a more safe method of loading a blade into the device. As illustrated, the two pieces are either secured together as shown in FIG. 24, where 405 is a living hinge attaching the bottom portion 500 to the upper portion 400, or it is also possible for upper portion 400 to have no connection to lower portion 500. Should upper portion 400 have no connection with lower portion 500, is anticipated that the upper portion 400 and or the lower portion 500 can be made with a different color to signify the type of blade that is held therein. Upper piece 400 contains right side button 351 with its associated wedge 355 and gripping element 387. The two-piece device has a rounded anterior end 310 and a posterior region 380 into which the blade will enter the device. Rail 350 defines the bottom rail of the device and upper rail 360 which contains sharps blade securement device 363 and detent rib 362. Similar to the integrally formed, two-button device, there are contoured areas 371 and 372 which are on the right and left side of the anterior portion of the device 310, said contoured areas matching a thumb and forefinger grasp of the user 362. Moreover, contour areas 371 and 372 contain button 351 and button 361 respectively. Each button 351, 361 has an associated wedge as well as the gripping element 387. Upper portion 400 does not incorporate the entire upper section in this design but nothing precludes a two-piece device from having this feature when the upper and lower portions are the same in length. As illustrated, the upper sealing area 401 mates with lower sealing area 501. Further, a sealing area 403 interfaces with sealing area 503. Additionally, vertical wall ceiling area 502 interfaces with a matching vertical ceiling wall 402. It is anticipated that once the blade has been inserted into the interior of the device, which is shown in open recess 404 of the upper portion 400 and in lower recess 504 of lower portion 500 that the device will be closed and also sonically welded thereby securing the blade inside of the device. In this method, the user is able to place the blade into the device rather than inserting the blade through the anterior portion of the device. To make this product, sealing area 401 and 501 and sealing areas 403 and 503 can have small male to female interlocking posts as an alternate securing device, which will interface and will snap the upper portion 400 to the lower portion 500. The user is then able to unlock the upper portion from the lower portion reinsert a new blade and repeat the method steps. This makes this device is reusable and is advantageous over the prior art in this fashion.

[0058] As with the two-button embodiment, there exists pillar 358, which emanates vertically at the end of rail 350 and at the posterior end of the device 380. Associated with pillar 358 is post 352, which is shorter in length than pillar 358. The differing lengths create a shelf 359 upon which the blade will rest once inserted. As with the two-button device, when the user wishes to remove the blade, the tang portion of the blade is inserted into the handle, and the user, using a slight rightward motion, moves the blade off of the shelf 359 and then removes the blade from the interior of the device. This slight rightward motion guarantees that the lower sharp portion of the blade will not come in contact with any interior or exterior sides of the device, thereby preventing damage to the sharp edge portion and/or removal of the sterilization of the blade. Anterior end 310 is shown as a rounded or curved surface. It will be appreciated that the anterior end 310 may have a flat surface so that the device stands vertically and the users able to use it in that configuration or is able to stand the device up a very crowded operating tray to reduce the space taken by the device.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 26, the two gripping areas will meet when the device is in its rest position. Once a blade is present the buttons will naturally bow out and their resistivity of the plastic will secure the blade in place. The presence and location of the blade can be confirmed by viewing the blade through portal 382 which is similar in shape and function as the viewing portal 282. Also, it is noted that post 376 serves as a guide as the blade is inserted into the device so that the tip of the blade will not contact any of the interior surfaces. [0060] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

[0061 ] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

[0062] The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only.

Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.