Cordless fabric venetian window shade assembly.

BLADE SET FOR VENETIAN WINDOW

BACKGROUND

This application claims priority from the previous US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 867,470 filed on August 19, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to window blinds and more particularly to a cordless fabric Venetian window blind assembly. A drive system for the window blind assembly may include a spring loaded ratchet system.

PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

Conventional Venetian blinds include those described in: US Patent No. 3,384,519 to Froget; FR1,521,488 for Demerson; US Patent Nos. 5,287,908, 5,313,999, 5,320,154, 5,394,922, and 5,456,304, all assigned to Hunter Douglas, Inc .; and US Patent No. 5,339,882 to Ren Judkins; the

US Patent No. 5,664,613 to Ralph Jelic, now assigned by acquisition to the assignee of the present application Comfortex Window Fashions; US Patent No. 5,888,639 assigned to Newell Operating Co .; and US Patents No. 6,024,819; 6,171,424; 6,302,982;

6,377,384; 6,575,222; and 6,634,409 all assigned to the assignee of this Comfortex Window Fashions application, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Conventional fabric venetian blind assemblies may include a roller that mounts to a top rail and in turn, the top rail to the wall or window frame in a conventional manner. The fabric venetian blind by itself comprises a first facing fabric or back layer and a second facing fabric or front layer. Each lining fabric is usually of high transparency. A plurality of blades, usually of a less translucent fabric, are attached at regular intervals to each lining fabric. The shutter is mounted to the roller so that when the roller is rotated in a first position, the two lining fabrics hang from opposite sides of the roller, spaced apart and with the blades extending between them in an orientation substantially perpendicular to both planes of the coatings, thus providing maximum visibility. When the roller is rotated in a first direction, it lowers the second interior lining fabric (which can face the interior of the room where the blind is hung), and raises the other, first or externally covering (which can look from the outside towards the window). The first effect of this rotation is to close the fabric paddles and bring the paddles and the two liners together and parallel, to approximate a single padded fabric. Subsequent rotation of the roller in the same direction can then wind the flattened fabric onto the roller, lifting it from the window area as in a conventional roller blind. Unrolling the blind again reverses this process, first lowering the flattened fabric to cover the window area, then with a final partial turn of the roll, separating the first and second liners and tilting the blades between them to provide visibility. Conventionally, this type of blinds includes a single stiff bottom rail, which connects the bottom ends, free of the lining fabrics. The unique bottom rail acts to keep the liners on smooth level planes, by means of tension and induces the pallets to flex as necessary for their tilt by providing additional weight.

Most blinds (for example, rolled, pleated, cellular, or fabric venetian blind) can work with a lacing system, for example, a lanyard lock with a stretch cord or a loop cord with a coupling and rollers attached at the top of the set. In particular, fabric venetian blinds (sometimes called window blinds or window blind assemblies), such as those from Shangri-La ™ by Comfortex or Silhouette ™ by Hunter Douglas, can provide specialized roller blinds with multi-layer fabric that includes fabric pallets internal tilting. These assemblies may include a loop cord and a coupling system to perform a roller rotation that drives the tilt paddles once the blind has reached full extension. These coupling systems usually fit at the end of the roll, outside the width of the fabric. As a result, the assembly may include an unsightly and undesirable space located between the edge of the fabric and the window opening. This gap can be especially problematic for blackout blinds, which block light, since light can travel through the gap between the window and the shade fabric.

Conventional lace-up shutter assemblies can also create significant security risks. For example, the laces and lacing loops of conventional blind sets may become entangled in young children playing in an environment that includes the laced blind set. Many alternative systems without cords or cord loops have been proposed, but most are significantly more expensive than existing blind assemblies. Actuating the blind with motorized components can also potentially eliminate the presence of cords, in addition to providing other benefits such as remote control or timer-controlled deployment, but these alternatives are even more expensive than conventional assemblies. Also, systems that you can adapt instead of (i.e. replace) the manual coupling and the cord loop are more commonly used on larger (more expensive) blinds. The cost of these motors is often as much as the shutter itself, and they have been limited to only the most expensive applications. Also, since motors fit where couplings would otherwise be found, they do not improve the characteristic lateral gap of coupling systems.

In conventional roller blinds, a spring balanced ratchet is commonly used. The spring balanced ratchet can allow the user to hold the bottom of the blind, pull down to a length beyond the desired deployment position, and slowly release to set a ratchet that catches the roller against a torsion spring on the roller . The ratchet can be energized by rotating the roller when the blind is removed. This one drive system is cheap, intuitive to use, and safe. It has not previously been used with fabric venetian blinds as motorized alternatives are installed where the cords and couplings would be used to pull the blind beyond the desired extent to configure (or release) the ratchet. In a conventional roller blind (with single fabric, single layer), there is no obstacle to providing more fabric length than the height of the window to allow this overdraft, even when the desired clamping position is equal to full window height. However, in a fabric venetian blind, this is not possible, since the exact length of the fabric must be provided to equalize the height of the window, so that the final rotation of the roller provides the tilt of the pallet and does not produce excess fabric on the threshold in such a configuration. Although it is possible (if the fabric is not too long) to hold the bottom rail and pull down on its rear edge (attached to the outer liner) while pushing up on the inner edge (attached to the inner liner) to tilt the the pallets, after the blind fabric is fully extended, this movement is uncomfortable and unnatural. This movement can be especially inconvenient after just pulling down initially for the main displacement. These conventional blinds can also continue to include a large space between the window and the fabric of the window blind.

SHORT DESCRIPTION

A first aspect of the disclosure provides a drive system for a Venetian blind with opposite first and second liners coupled by a plurality of vanes, the drive system comprises: a roller configured to receive the fabric Venetian blind; a spring loaded ratchet operatively coupled to the roller; a first weighted rail, attached to a bottom edge of the first liner; and a second weighted rail, attached to a lower edge of the second liner, where the first weighted rail and the second weighted rail are spaced apart.

A second aspect of the disclosure provides a fabric venetian blind set including: a fabric venetian blind including a first and second opposing liners coupled by a plurality of vanes, a drive system including: a roller configured to receive the fabric venetian blind; a spring loaded ratchet operatively coupled to the roller; a first weighted rail, attached to a bottom edge of the first liner; and a second weighted rail, attached to a lower edge of the second liner, where the first weighted rail and the second weighted rail are spaced apart.

A third aspect of the invention includes a drive system for a fabric Venetian blind with first and second opposing liners coupled to a plurality of blades, the system comprising: a ratchet system operatively coupled to a roller on which Rolls up the Venetian Blind Fabric, the operable ratchet system for placing the Venetian Blind Fabric in a plurality of positions, including: a retracted position in which the fabric venetian blind is completely wound on the roller; a plurality of partially unfolded, non-transparent positions in which the fabric Venetian blind partially unfolds from the roller and the first and second liners are substantially parallel to the plurality of pallets so that the blind is non-transparent; a fully unfolded, non-transparent position in which the blind is fully unfolded from the roller and the first and second fabric liners, as well as the plurality of the pallets are substantially parallel so that the blind is non-transparent; and a plurality of fully deployed, at least partially transparent positions in which the fabric venetian blind is fully unfolded from the roller and the first and second fabric linings are not parallel to the plurality of pallets so that the window blind is at least partially transparent.

The illustrative aspects of the present disclosure are designed to solve the problems described herein and / or other problems that are not discussed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this disclosure will be more readily understood with the following detailed description of the different aspects of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings representing various modalities of the disclosure, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a fabric Venetian blind assembly in a fully deployed, non-transparent position in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of a fabric Venetian blind assembly in a plurality of fully deployed, non-transparent positions in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a teLa Venetian blind assembly in a plurality of fully deployed positions, at least partially transparent (mostly non-transparent) in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a fabric venetian blind assembly in a plurality of fully deployed positions, at least partially transparent (mostly transparent) in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a fabric Venetian blind assembly in a plurality of fully deployed, at least partially transparent positions that are activated for retraction to a retracted position in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a fabric venetian blind assembly in a retracted position in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a fabric Venetian blind assembly in a plurality of fully unfolded positions, at least partially transparent (mostly non-transparent) in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that the disclosure drawings are not to scale. The drawings serve to represent only typical aspects of the disclosure and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings, similar numbers represent similar elements between the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cordless drive assembly for the blinds. In particular, the embodiments of the present disclosure combine the security of cordless blinds with a sliding coupling for roller rotation. The modalities of the present disclosure can also eliminate undesirable gaps between the edge of the shutter and the window opening found in conventional bead based systems. This result is achieved with minimal installation volume (space) and low cost, and can be a viable alternative to most cord type fabric Venetian blind drive systems.

The embodiments of the invention include a fabric Venetian blind assembly and a corresponding drive system. As shown in FIG. 1, the embodiments of the present disclosure implement a drive system that includes a roller and a specialized ratchet for fabric Venetian blinds, including fabric Venetian blinds. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure include a spring loaded ratchet coupled to a roller for the blind and two separate weighted rails, attached to a corresponding fabric liner. The weighted rails can provide an increase in the rigidity and weight of the assembly, so that the rails are supported from each other from the front, taut when the blind is unwound from the roller. The position roughly where a conventional rail attached to both liners still provides enough net drop weight to drive the shutter blades when the roll makes its last turn. However, the separation between the two weighted rails allows the user to grab the back (external rail) only and pull it down for full actuation of the blind, either during unrolling the fabric of the blind or the last, rotation of the inclined paddle roller.

As shown in FIG. 1 and discussed herein, a spring loaded ratchet can be positioned within the roll to hold the fabric liners in any desired amount of displacement from the roll and to retract the fabric back to the roll. To improve the function and operability of the roll, the embodiments of the present disclosure also include bonding the fabric to the roll only at or near the point of tangency of the inner linings that occur when the blades are in a substantially horizontal position (for example, perpendicular to coatings for maximum transparency). As a result, a user can pull the outer (rear) bottom weighted rail down, beyond the maximum normal condition (i.e., maximum transparency, substantially horizontal vanes), with another pulled down to fix or release the pawl. on the roller. A position of visibility (substantially transparent) can be comfortably reached with the blind extending across exactly the entire length of the corresponding height of the window. The ratchet may also include spaced stops, not farther than the rotation angle of the rollers associated with an overdraft length to allow excessive pull movement to set or release the ratchet. The distance between stops can also vary depending on the width of the blades and the diameter of the roller. In a particular embodiment, the pawl can include multiple stops within a single full rotation, allowing the pallets to be positioned at intermediate angles between fully open (i.e. substantially transparent) and closed (i.e. an opaque approaching fit). to a flattened cloth).

As shown in FIG. 1, a window shutter assembly 100 is shown according to the modalities of the present disclosure. The window blind assembly (100) can be incorporated as a fabric Venetian blind. A Venetian window blind refers to a window blind consisting of several horizontal blind bars. As examples, the window blind assembly (100) may include one or more blinds (102) made of wood, plastic, a cloth, a composite material, or any other currently known or later developed type of blind material (either substantially transparent, translucent or opaque). The shutter assembly (100) may include a first liner (104) and a second opposing liner (106) coupled by a plurality of vanes positioned therebetween. As shown for example in FIG.

1, the first and second liners 104, 106 can be oriented in a substantially vertical position with blades 106 that are substantially horizontal to bring the first and second liners 104, 106 together. In the example of Figure 1, the blades (106) are positioned substantially parallel to the corresponding window in the closed position. The embodiments of the present disclosure include a structure and method for adjusting the position of the first and second liners 104, 106, for example, by rotating the first and second liners 104, 106 to transmit or substantially prevent light from passing through the window shutter assembly (100).

Regarding FIG. 2, a drive system (110) can secure the window blind assembly (100) to a surface of interest, such as to a wall above a window and / or a window blind bracket mounted thereon. In the embodiments of the present invention, the drive system (110) may include a roller (112) configured to retain the blind (102) in a retracted position, and from which the blind (102) can be rolled up to cover the corresponding area, window, etc. Roller 112 may have a diameter that is substantially identical to the width of each of the plurality of blades 108, (i.e., the distance from one side of the blade 108 that separates the first and second liners). (104), (106)) but this is not necessary for all cases. The drive system (110) may include a spring loaded pawl (120) located, for example, within the supports of the upper window blind rail assembly (102) and operably connected to a roller (112). As shown in FIG. 2 through 6, the spring loaded pawl (120) places the roller (112) and the fabric Venetian blind (102) in a plurality of positions. As discussed further in this document, FIG. 6 shows a retracted position in which the fabric venetian blind (102) is fully wound on the roller (112). Fig. 2 shows one of a plurality of partially unfolded, non-transparent positions in which the fabric Venetian blinds (102) partially unfold from the roller (112) and the first and second fabric liners (104), (106). ) are substantially parallel to the plurality of pallets (108) so that the blind is non-transparent. In this position, the blind 102 acts to block as much light as possible for the amount of window it extends past, but does not completely cover the window. Fig. one shows a fully unfolded, non-transparent position in which the fabric venetian blind 102 is fully unfolded from the roller 112 and the first and second fabric liners 104, 106 and the plurality of pallets 108 ) are substantially parallel, so that the shutter is non-transparent. In this position, the blind (102) can block as much light as possible for the entire window, where the blind (102) is used.

The trin spring loaded trine spring (120) can be extended as the window blind (102) is pulled from the roller (112) until the retracted length of the window blind (102) reaches or exceeds an adjustment length. At this point, a detent point of the pawl element of the spring loaded pawl (120) can be adjusted, thereby holding the retracted window blind (102) in place. By establishing the spring loaded pawl (120), the window blind (102) can remain in place after retracting from the roller (112) as shown in Fig. 1. Figures 3, 4, 5 and 7 they show a plurality of fully unfolded, at least partially transparent positions in which the fabric venetian blind (102) is fully unfolded from the roller (112). These figures also show cases where the first and second coatings 104, 106 are not parallel to the plurality of blades 108, so the shutter is at least partially transparent. As best shown in Fig. 7, in these positions, the fabric Venetian blind (102) is attached to the roller (112) on a single link line (140) substantially at a tangency of one of the first or second fabric linings (104), ( 106) ((104) as illustrated) only when the plurality of paddles are positioned substantially perpendicular to the planes of the first and second fabric liners (104), (106). The diameter of the roller 112 and a spacing of the spring loaded pawl retainers 120 may have predetermined values ​​relative to the width of the blades 108. These defaults can be chosen to generate at least one detent and release the set point of the spring loaded pawl (120) to occur within one complete rotation of the roller (112). The spring loaded pawl ratchet member 120 may also be released when the corresponding spring is pulled a predetermined distance before settling (i.e. overdrawn). The drive system (110) can therefore allow the window blind (102) to return to the roller (112) without the use of a bead loop, for example, by releasing the spring loaded pawl (120) .

As shown in FIG. 3, the drive system (100) may also include a first weighted rail (130) attached to a bottom edge (132) of the first, back fabric liner (104); and a second weighted rail (134) attached to a bottom edge (136) of the second front fabric liner (106). As illustrated, the first weighted rail (130) and the second weighted rail (134) are spaced. The first weighted rail (130) may be larger than the second weighted rail (134), eg. eg, in size and / or weight. In contrast to conventional systems employing a single weighted rail for reasons described herein. A bottom edge (132) of the first liner (104) opposite the drive system (110) may include the first weighted rail (130). The first weighted rail (13 0) may include a shell made of a material different from the rest of the window blind (102), such as a plastic, metallic, ceramic or composite material. Coverage of the first weighted rail (130) can increase the size and / or weight of the first weighted rail (130) in addition to providing a grip for users of the window blind assembly (100). The first weighted rail (130), in contrast to the rails of other sets of window blinds, can be attached exclusively to the lower edge (132) of the first liner (104) (or alternatively to the lower edge (134) of the second front liner (106)) without engaging the other liner. In this way, a user of the window blind assembly (100) can pull the first weighted rail (13 0) to retract the window blind (102) onto the roller (112) and / or the shift paddles (108) from the open or closed position without applying force to a second liner (106).

As shown in FIG. 3, a lower edge (134) of the second liner (106) can include the second weighted rail (136). The second weighted rail (136) may include a shell made of a different material than the window blind (102), for example, a plastic, metallic, ceramic or composite material. The coverage of the second weighted rail (136) can provide a compensation weight for the first weighted rail (130) while providing a separate grip on the first weighted rail (130). The second weighted rail (136) can be attached exclusively to the bottom edge (134) of the second liner (106) without engaging the other liner (eg, the first liner (104)). A user of the window blind assembly (100) can pull the second weighted rail (136) to unroll the window blind (102) from the roller (112) to establish a spring loaded pawl catch point (120). Alternatively, the first weighted rail (132) and the second weighted rail (136) may perform contrary and / or additional functions to those described herein. The first weighted rail 134 and the second weighted rail 136 may be separate, distinct components with different sizes. For example, the second weighted rail (136) may be larger than the first weighted rail (130). Applying force to the first liner (104) by the first weighted rail (130) can result in substantially no direct force being applied to the opposite second liner (106), by the second weighted rail (136) can result in substantially no force Direct is applied to the first opposite coating (104).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 together, a mostly non-transparent position of the window shutter assembly (100) is shown in FIG. 3 and a mostly transparent position of the window shutter assembly is shown in FIG. Four. Applying a force to the second weighted rail (136) can unroll the window blind (102) from the window blind (102) which is located almost entirely on the roller (112), in a deployed or partially deployed position. in which, the window blind (102) unwinds from the roller (112). After the window blind 102 is unwound, the blades 108 can be oriented substantially parallel to the first and second liners 104, 106, so that the window blind 102 is substantially opaque or translucent. A user can apply a force (eg, pull) on the first weighted rail (130) to drive the spring loaded pawl (120) of the drive system (110). Pulling the first weighted rail (130) can position the ratchet element of the spring loaded ratchet (120) and can move the first liner (104) to a lower position in closer horizontal alignment with respect to the second liner (106) . The closest horizontal alignment may cause the vanes 108 to be substantially perpendicular to the planes of the first and second liners 104, 106, so that the window shutter assembly 100 is substantially translucent or transparent with respect to the passage of light that passes through it.

Regarding FIG. 5, applying a force (ie pulling) to the first weighted rail (130) after opening the blades (108) can release the spring loaded pawl (120) (FIGS. 1, 2), comprising the spring element in it, to pull the window blind (102) back to the roller (112). To release the spring loaded pawl (120), a user can apply a force to the first weighted rail (13 0) to pull the pawl element of the spring loaded pawl (120) into a release position. The release position may correspond, for example, to the first weighted rail (13 0) that unwinds at a position below the second weighted rail (136) (overdraft). As shown in FIG. 6, the spring loaded pawl (120) can be released from its established position by force applied to the first weighted rail (130) to compress the spring element of the spring loaded pawl (120), by pulling the shutter to window (102) on the roller (112). In this way, when pulling the first weighted rail (130) (FIG. 5) or the second weighted rail (136) (FIG. 5) Different functions can be performed when the window shutter (102) is unwound from the roller (112). For example, by pulling the first weighted rail (130) (FIG. 5) the window blind (102) may retract into the roller (112) and by pulling the second weighted rail (136) (FIG. 5) the orientation of the blades (108) (FIG. 5) so that this window blind (102) substantially transmits or blocks light.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the drive system (110) is shown with the window blind (102) retracted on the roller (112). As shown in FIG. 6, the window blind 102 may be attached to the roller 112 on a single link line 140 positioned substantially tangent to the first and / or second liners 104, 106 when the blades ( 108) are placed in an orientation substantially parallel to the planes of the first and second liners 104, 106. From this position, the user can hold the second bottom rail (136) protruding from the roller (112) to extend the window blind (102). The first bottom rail (130), in this position, can be placed between the roller (112) and the second bottom rail (136), with the first bottom rail (130) recharged in an external accessory (eg, a bracket ) to hold the window blind (102) in place and place the second bottom rail (136) below the drive system (110).

Additional features of the window blind assembly 100 are also shown in the embodiments of the present disclosure in FIG. 7 and are discussed herein. The diameter of the roller (112) and the retainer spacer on the spring loaded pawl (120) can be predetermined such that at least one retainer and a set release point of the spring loaded pawl (120) are within one complete rotation of the roller (112).

Other modalities of the window shutter assembly (100) may include multiple retainers and set release points in the drive system (100). Specifically, each detent and set point of release of the drive system (110) can create a different angle of blades (108) relative to the first and second liners (104), (106) in a range from, for example , a substantially parallel angle to a substantially perpendicular angle. Through multiple retainers and set release points, the spring loaded bracket (120) can position the roller (112) and the window blind (102) in a plurality of positions. In a retracted position corresponding to a retainer and a set release point, the window blind 102 may be fully wound on the roller 112 (ie, FIG. 6). In one of several partially deployed, non-transparent positions (i.e. FIG. 2) corresponding to the respective retainers and established release points. In each of the partially unfolded, non-transparent positions, the window blind 102 may partially unfold from the roller 112 with the first and second liners 104, 106 substantially parallel to the pallets 108 and in this way, causing the window blind (102) to be non-transparent (ie translucent or opaque).

A retainer and an established spring-loaded support release point (120) may correspond to a fully unfolded, non-transparent position (ie, that shown in FIG. 1). This position may correspond to the last set point of the drive system (110) and can be placed on a substantially complete rotation of the roller (112). In the fully unfolded, non-transparent position, the window blind 102 can be fully unfolded from the roller 112 and the first and second liners 104, 106 substantially parallel to the pallets 108, so that the window blind 102 is non-transparent (ie translucent or opaque). Another group of positions for the window shutter (102) can include various positions fully deployed, positions at least partially transparent (FIGS. 4, 5, 7). In a fully deployed, at least partially transparent position, the window blind 102 can fully unfold from the roller 102 and the first and second liners 104, 106 can be non-parallel to the pallets 108 ). This position can allow light to pass through the window blind (102) between the pallets (108). The window blind (102) can switch between non-transparent and at least partially transparent positions, for example, when the user applies a force to the first lower rail (130) to move the first covering (104).

In addition to the window blind assembly 100, the embodiments of the present disclosure include window blind 102 with the first and second liners 104, 106 coupled with the vanes 108 and the drive system. (110) as shown in FIG. 7. In one embodiment, the first covering (104) can be oriented in front of a window, and the second covering (106) can be oriented towards the interior (that is, towards a particular room or space). Other embodiments of the present disclosure may relate to the drive system (110) of the window blind assemblies (100), which include window blinds (102), the first and second linings (104), (106), and the pallets (108). The spring loaded ratchet (120) of the drive system (110) can be coupled to the roller (112) on a single link line (140), with the window blind (102) rotatably attached to the roller (112) and the spring loaded pawl (120) operable to position the window blind (102) in any of the various positions discussed in this document (for example, retracted positions, partially deployed positions, non-transparent, a fully unfolded non-transparent position and / or fully unfolded, partially transparent positions, etc.)

Whether arranged in the form of a separate drive system or as a complete set with associated shutter material, the disclosure modalities can provide a secure, convenient, cordless drive system for shutters, as discussed in present and shown in FIGS. 1-7 attached. The advantages of the modalities described herein include low manufacturing costs comparable to or even less than manual coupling systems, a simple installation or removal process, a discreet appearance, reliable use for long periods, and the reduced requirement of side space between the shutter material and the window, for example, by omitting the use of a loop cord and the coupling system, as discovered in a conventional window blind set. The embodiments of the present invention also offer a safe and convenient, cordless drive system for fabric roller blinds. The system described here has a cost close to that of manual coupling systems, with easy installation and discreet appearance, with reliable ease of use and with the reduced requirement of a lateral space between the blind and the window opening.

The terminology used herein is intended to describe particular modalities only and is not intended to be limiting of disclosure. As used in this document, the singular forms one, one, one, and and are intended to include plural referents as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should further be understood that the term comprises and / or comprising, when used in this description, specifies the presence of the indicated characteristics, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components but does not exclude the presence or addition of a or more characteristics, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, actions and equivalents of all additional step means or function elements in the claims presented below are intended to include any structure, material or action to perform the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form presented.

Various modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of disclosure. The modalities were chosen and described in order to better explain the principles of the disclosure and practical application and to enable other experts in the field to understand the disclosure for the different modalities with different modifications as appropriate to the particular contemplated use.