Patent Application
20250237473
A conventional handgun holster is configured for a specific handgun and, if one or more accessories is attached to the handgun (e.g., lights, sights, laser aimers, suppressors, scopes, etc.), the particular combination of handgun and accessory(ies). As result, an owner of multiple handguns or even a single handgun with different combinations of accessories attached thereto requires multiple holsters and must change the holster when switching between handguns and/or accessory combinations.
A need exists for a holster that adjusts to different handguns and/or accessory combinations, including handguns of different barrel lengths (e.g., compact pistols having up to 4 inch barrels and full-size pistols having up to 5 inch barrels), secures a handgun for carrying, completely covers the trigger guard, and maintains a smooth or snag-free, reliable, quick draw stroke of the handgun from the holster.
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a holster for a pistol. The holster comprising:
One embodiment of the invention is directed to a holster system for a user to carry a pistol, the holster system comprising the aforementioned holster and a mounting structure to/of which the at least a portion of the exterior surface of the holster is a component of, integral with, or configured to affix, wherein the mounting structure is a component of, integral with, or configured to affix to the carry-article.
As noted above, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a holster for a pistol. The holster will be described in more detail below.
Referring to
The holster 10 depicted in
The interior surface 1 and the exterior surface 2 comprise one or more materials independently selected from the group consisting of nylon webbing, a polyparaphenylene terephthalamide fabric (e.g., Kevlar™), and a Kevlar-reinforced nylon webbing.
The holster 10 comprises three sections: a fixed slide securing section 4; an adjustable slide securing section 5; and a trigger securing section 6. As depicted in
The fixed slide securing section has a height (hf) and a width (wf) that is compatible with a height and width of a first lateral surface 110 of a slide 104 of the holstered pistol 100. Referring to
In one embodiment, the height of the fixed slide securing section (hf) is in a range of about 0.75 inches (about 19 mm) to about 1.5 inches (about 38 mm) and the width of the fixed slide securing section (wf) is in a range of about 3.5 inches (about 90 mm) to about 7.5 inches (about 190 mm).
In one embodiment, the height of the fixed slide securing section (hf) is in a range of about 0.75 inches (about 19 mm) to about 1.25 inches (about 32 mm) and the width of the fixed slide securing section (wf) is in a range of about 5 inches (about 127 mm) to about 6 inches (about 152 mm).
In one embodiment, the height of the fixed slide securing section (hf) is about 1 inch (about 25 mm) and the width of the fixed slide securing section (wf) is about 5.25 inches (about 133 mm).
The fixed slide securing section 4 comprises one or more fixed magnets 11 that exert(s) an total attractive magnetic force at least as great as two times a combined weight of the holstered pistol, all pistol accessories affixed thereto, and the holster. Except for unusual service conditions, the one or more fixed magnets that exert(s) an total attractive magnetic force not greater than about 12 times the combined weight of the holstered pistol, all pistol accessories affixed thereto, and the holster. In general, the one or more fixed magnets are selected to exert a total attractive magnetic force or pull force in a range of about 18 lbs. (about 8.2 kg) to about 22 lbs. (about 10 kg). Generally, the total attractive magnetic force should not be so great as to hinder a user from removing a pistol from the holster using a typical draw force.
The fixed slide securing section 4 also comprises one or more fixed magnet cavities between the aforementioned exterior surface 2 and interior surface 1. The one or more fixed magnet cavities house the one or more fixed magnets 11. The one or more fixed magnet cavities is/are sized and configured to secure the one or more fixed magnets 11 within the one or more fixed magnet cavities thereby minimizing or preventing movement of the one or more fixed magnets in all directions and rotations within the fixed slide securing section 4.
In one embodiment, the fixed slide securing section 4 comprises two fixed magnet cavities and two fixed magnets 11 (one in each cavity) as depicted in
The adjustable slide securing section 5 has a height (ha) and a width (wa) that is compatible with a height and width of a second lateral surface 111 of the slide 104 of the holstered pistol 100. In terms of compatibility between the adjustable slide securing section and the slide of the holstered pistol, the height (ha) and a width (wa) are not so great as to interfere with a user's access to the grip 109 when drawing a pistol 100 from the holster 10 and a thumb safety 105 on certain pistols.
In one embodiment, the height of the adjustable slide securing section (ha) is in a range of about 1 inch (about 25 mm) to about 2.5 inches (about 64 mm) and the width of the fixed slide securing section (wa) is in a range of about 2 inches (about 51 mm) to about 4 inches (about 102 mm).
In one embodiment, the height of the adjustable slide securing section is in a range of about 1.5 inches (about 38 mm) to about 2 inches (about 51 mm) and the width of the fixed slide securing section (wa) is in a range of about 2.5 inches (about 65 mm) to about 3.5 inches (about 90 mm).
In one embodiment, the height of the fixed slide securing section (ha) is about 1.5 inches (about mm 38) and the width of the fixed slide securing section (wa) is about 3 inches (about 76 mm).
The adjustable slide securing section 5 comprises one or more adjustable magnets 12 that exert(s) an total attractive magnetic force at least as great as two times a combined weight of the holstered pistol, all pistol accessories affixed thereto, and the holster. Except for unusual service conditions, the one or more adjustable magnets that exert(s) an total attractive magnetic force not greater than about 12 times the combined weight of the holstered pistol, all pistol accessories affixed thereto, and the holster. In general, the one or more adjustable magnets are selected to exert a total attractive magnetic force or pull force in a range of about 18 lbs. (about 8.2 kg) to about 22 lbs. (about 10 kg). The total attractive magnetic force, however, should not be so great as to hinder a user from removing a pistol from the holster using a typical draw force.
The adjustable slide securing section 5 also comprises one or more adjustable magnet cavities between the aforementioned exterior surface 2 and interior surface 1. The one or more adjustable magnet cavities house the one or more adjustable magnets 12. The one or more adjustable magnet cavities is/are sized and configured to prevent or minimize movement of the one or more adjustable magnets within the adjustable slide securing section 5 in all directions and rotations, except for heightwise adjustability distance(s) (had(s)). In one embodiment, the heightwise adjustability distance(s) (had(s)) is in a range of about 0.5 inches (about 13 mm) to about 1.5 inch (about 38 mm). In one embodiment, the heightwise adjustability distance(s) (had(s)) is in a range of about 0.5 inches (about 13 mm) to about 1 inch (about 25 mm). In another embodiment the heightwise adjustability distance(s) (had(s)) is about 0.75 inches (about 19 mm). This heightwise adjustability distance (in conjunction with the other dimensions set forth herein) is sufficient for nearly all modern slide operated pistons because nearly all modern pistols have a slide height of about 1 inch (about 25 mm).
Additionally, when the height of the adjustable magnet(s) 12 are considered with the adjustability distance there is total potential heightwise distance/coverage (or “absolute delta”) of the magnet(s) (i.e., the height of the magnet(s) plus the had(s)) to provide additional adjustment for unique firearms with a shorter or taller slide height such that the location of adjustable magnet(s) relative piston may be as high as the top of the slide or as low as the bottom edge of the slide. For example, using adjustable magnets having a height of about 0.5 inches (about 12 mm) in conjunction with heightwise adjustability distance(s) (had(s)) about 0.75 inches (about 19 mm) yields a total potential heightwise distance/coverage (absolute delta) of about 1.25 inches (about 32 mm).
In one embodiment, the adjustable slide securing section 5 comprises a single adjustable magnet cavity and a single adjustable magnet 12 therein as depicted in
In one embodiment, each adjustable magnet 12 is a neodymium-type magnet having a maximum energy product ((BH)max) of about 33 kJ/m3 to about 53 kJ/m3, which is found in conventional grades of neodymium-type magnets (i.e., N35-N52). The adjustable magnet has a height in a range of about 0.375 inches (about 10 mm) to about 0.625 inches (about 16 mm), a width in a range of about 1.5 inches (about 38 mm) to about 2.5 inches (about 64 mm), and a thickness in a range of about 0.125 inches (about 3 mm) to about 0.25 inches (about 6 mm). In another such embodiment, the adjustable magnet is a grade that is in a range of N40 to N52 neodymium-type magnet with a height of 0.5 inches (about 12 mm), a width of 2 inches (about 51 mm), and a thickness of 0.125 inches (about 3 mm). In another embodiment, the adjustable magnet(s) are grade N52 neodymium magnets.
The trigger securing section 6 has a height (ht) and a width (wt) and extending between the fixed slide securing section 4 and the adjustable slide securing section 5. At least a portion of the trigger securing section 6 is flexible along a heightwise direction. In one embodiment the entirety of the trigger securing section is flexible along the heightwise direction. Also, the trigger securing section is sized and configured to at least cover the entirety of both lateral sides 112, 113 of a trigger guard 107 of the holstered pistol. Additionally, the size and configuration of the trigger securing section may exceed the lateral sides 112, 113 of the trigger guard 107 so as to cover mounting tabs for a light or laser, which are typically near (laterally) the end of the trigger guard 107, to prevent or minimize the likelihood snagging such an equipped pistol when drawing the pistol from the holster.
In one embodiment, the height of the trigger securing section (ht) is in a range of about 2 inches (about 51 mm) to about 6.25 inches (about 159 mm) and the width of the fixed slide securing section (wt) is in a range of about 2 inches (about 51 mm) to about 4 inches (about 102 mm).
In one embodiment, the height of the trigger securing section (ht) is in a range of about 3.25 inches (about 83 mm) to about 4.75 inches (about 121 mm) and the width of the fixed slide securing section (wt) is in a range of about 2.5 inches (about 65 mm) to about 3.5 inches (about 90 mm).
In one embodiment, the height of the fixed slide securing section (ht) is about 4.25 inches (about 108 mm) and the width of the fixed slide securing section (wt) is about 3 inches (about 76 mm).
The dimensions of hf, ha, had(s), ht, and wt are selected to result in the one or more fixed magnets 11 being proximate to the first lateral surface 110 of the slide 104 of the holstered pistol 100, which contributes to the holstered pistol being removably secured within the holster 10 due to the total attractive magnetic force of the one or more fixed magnets 11 exerted on the holstered pistol, which places at least a portion of the first lateral surface 110 of the slide 104 of the holstered pistol 100 in forced contact with at least a portion of the interior surface 1 corresponding to the fixed slide securing section 4.
Also, said dimensions are selected to result in the one or more adjustable magnets 12 being able to move in the heightwise direction within the adjustable slide securing section 5 so that the one or more adjustable magnets are proximate to the second lateral surface 111 of the slide 104 of the holstered pistol 100, which contributes to the holstered pistol being removably secured within the holster 10 due to the total attractive magnetic force of the one or more adjustable magnets 12 exerted on the holstered pistol, which places at least a portion of the interior surface 1 corresponding to the adjustable slide securing section 5 in forced contact with at least a portion of the second lateral surface 111 of the slide 104 of the holstered pistol.
Additionally, said dimensions are selected to result in the trigger securing section 6 covering the entirety of both lateral sides 112, 113 of a trigger guard 107 of the holstered pistol and contacting at least a portion of a lower surface 114 of the trigger guard 107, which contributes to the holstered pistol being removably secured within the holster.
In one embodiment, hf+ha+ht equals a sum that is in a range of about 6 inches (about 152 mm) to about 8 inches (about 203 mm). In one embodiment, hf+ha+ht equal a sum that is in a range of about 6.5 inches (about 165 mm) to about 7 inches (about 178 mm). In one embodiment, hf+ha+ht equal a sum that is about 6.75 inches (about 171 mm).
In one embodiment, the geometry/dimensions of the holster are symmetrical around a heightwise/vertical axis. This allows for such a holster to be readily mounted in reverse for users with a different handedness or for different carry options.
In one embodiment, hook-and-loop fastener and a contact surface area of the hook-and-loop fastener are selected to withstand a perpendicular pull force in a range of about 18 lbs. (about 8.2 kg) to about 22 lbs. (about 10.0 kg) at before separating.
In one embodiment, the hook-and-loop fastener mil spec A-A-55126C and the contact surface area of hook-and-loop fastener is in a range of about 11 in2 (about 280 mm2) to about 12 in2 (about 305 mm2).
In one embodiment, the at least a portion 13 of the exterior surface 2 configured to affix directly to the carry-article via hook-and-loop fastener corresponds generally to the fixed slide securing section 4 and a portion of the trigger securing section 6 extending heightwise from fixed slide securing section 4 a distance in a range of about 40% to about 60% of ht for a width of about wt. In another embodiment, the at least a portion 13 of the exterior surface 2 configured to affix directly to the carry-article via hook-and-loop fastener corresponds generally to the fixed slide securing section 4 and a portion of the trigger securing section 6 extending heightwise from fixed slide securing section 4 a distance of about 50% of ht for a width of about wt.
In certain embodiments, the holster 10 may comprise one or more reinforcement panels 14. For example,
Additionally,
A handgun holster is a device used to hold or restrict the undesired movement of a handgun, most commonly in a location where it can be easily withdrawn for immediate use. Holsters are often attached to a belt or waistband, but they may be attached to other locations of the body (e.g., the ankle holster). Holsters vary in the degree to which they secure or protect the firearm. Certain holsters for law enforcement officers have a strap over the top of the holster to make the handgun less likely to fall out of the holster or harder for another person to grab the gun. Certain holsters have a flap over the top to protect the gun from the elements.
Holsters are generally designed to offer protection to the handgun, secure its retention, and provide ready access to it. The need for ready access is often at odds with the need for security and protection, so users must consider their needs. Choosing the right balance of security and availability can be important, especially in the case of a defensive weapon holster, where failure to access the weapon quickly or damage or loss of the weapon due to insufficient retention or protection could leave the user inadequately defended.
One of the most essential functions of a holster is trigger coverage, especially if the gun is carried with a round in the chamber so that it is immediately available to use. Essentially all modern handguns are designed to be carried this way, with safety features that are designed to prevent the weapon from discharging unless the trigger is pulled. The use of a holster that blocks access to the trigger effectively mitigates this risk.
Holsters are generally designed to be used with one hand, allowing the handgun to be removed and/or replaced with the same hand.
Holsters are generally attached to a person's belt or waistband or clipped to another article of clothing. Certain holsters, such as ankle holsters, have integrated support. Other holsters may fit inside a pocket, to add stability and protection to the handgun, keeping it more reliably secure and accessible than if it were in the pocket alone.
Holsters are generally worn in a location where they can be readily accessible. Common locations include the following: at the waist (outside (OWB) or inside (IWB) the waistband), behind the back (small of back (SOB), at the ankle, at the chest (in an elastic belly band or shoulder holster), or on the upper thigh. Holsters are sometimes contained in an external bag, such as a purse or fanny pack.
Holster designs for firearms cover a wide range of shapes, materials, and retention/release mechanisms, from simple leather pouches hanging from a belt to highly protective holsters with flaps that cover the entire handgun, to highly adjustable competition holsters that hold the handgun at a precise position and release instantly when activated. The wide range of types indicates the highly varied circumstances in which holsters are used, and the varying preferences of the users.
Holsters can be divided into four broad categories by use: (1) duty holsters, worn by uniformed law enforcement and peace officers and security personnel; (2) tactical holsters, worn by military, security, and law enforcement personnel in certain situations; (3) concealment holsters, worn by plainclothes peace officers and private persons; and (4) sporting holsters, worn for shooting sports and hunting.
Duty holsters are designed to be carried openly, so concealment is not an issue, but retention and appearance are. Duty holsters are designed to be attached to a duty belt and worn on the dominant side. Duty holsters are generally only found for service and compact size handguns as opposed to small subcompact handguns as these are generally only used for concealed carry backup guns.
The primary characteristic that often distinguishes duty holsters from all other holster designs is retention. Modern law enforcement duty holsters are available with varying levels of retention security (i.e., Level I, Level II, Level II+, Level III, etc.). Certain security features are passive (such as retention screws, decoy straps, or hood guards), while others are active and require deliberate manipulation by the officer during the draw (such as traditional thumb break snaps). While a higher level of retention will make it more difficult for a suspect to take a holstered handgun from an officer, it may also reduce the speed and ease with which an officer may draw their handgun (especially if the security features are active and not passive). Therefore, when selecting a duty holster, an officer may be forced to find a compromise of speed and retention with which he/she is comfortable.
Tactical/military holsters are often of a drop-leg design and offer a retention device. Certain military holsters still use the old flap design, which is cumbersome and slow on the draw, but provides greater protection for the holstered firearm against the elements. There is overlap between duty holsters, tactical holsters, and military holsters. Weapon retention is generally not as important a consideration in military use as it is in law enforcement due to the differences in their work environments.
Concealment holsters are designed to be easily concealed, as well as lightweight and unobtrusive. They are generally designed for subcompact and compact handguns since they are easier to conceal. Concealment holsters are designed to be worn under clothing, such as on the belt under a coat, under pants in an ankle holster, or in a trouser pocket. Since the holster is held close to the body, comfort is important, and concealment holsters often have broad surfaces in contact with the user's body, to distribute the pressure across a wider area and prevent abrasion of the skin. Often the outside of the holster is broader, to help break up the outline of the handgun and prevent printing, where the outline of the gun can be seen through clothing. For pocket holsters, the external flat side is often the side with a nap, or rougher surface, to hold the holster in place when drawing the pistol.
Sporting holsters cover a wide spectrum of styles: maximum access for fast draw shooting, highly adjustable holsters used in IPSC and pin shooting, old-fashioned holsters used in Cowboy Action Shooting, high retention, maximum protection holsters used for handgun hunting, and simple holsters used to hold a handgun while out plinking. Like any sporting equipment, sporting holsters evolve to maximize the benefits given the rules of the game, where applicable, so the competitive sports have the most specialized holsters.
Holsters for hunting can be unique if they are designed to carry large handguns or to make allowances for telescopic sights. Large handguns are often carried in holsters that are slung across the shoulder, and removed from the body before the handgun is drawn. Slow access is acceptable in this case because the handgun is not expected to be used for defensive purposes.
Outside the waistband (OWB) or belt holsters, are most commonly used by police and military, and by citizens who choose to open carry. Belt holsters can be worn high and close to the body, slightly behind the hip bone, and can be concealed under a long, untucked shirt or jacket.
Inside the waistband (IWB) holsters, which clip or mount to a belt and allow one to securely holster the weapon inside the pants. Some IWB holsters give the wearer the option of tucking a shirt over the firearm and holster. A variant design is an “appendix inside the waistband holster” (AIWB), intended to allow wear inside the front of the pants (as opposed to the side or rear, which is more typical). Appendix rigs are a variant design of the AIWB holsters with an attached magazine carrier.
Below waistband (BWB) is a style of holster that attaches directly below the waistline and is more deeply concealed than a traditional IWB holster.
Shoulder holsters usually comprise two straps connected in a manner similar to a backpack, with the actual holster mounted to a strap on the right or the left side. Shoulder holsters are designed to position the handgun in one of three ways: a vertical position with the barrel pointed generally toward the ground; a vertical position with the barrel pointed generally upward; or a horizontal position with the barrel pointed generally behind the wearer. Shoulder holsters are typically comfortable for the wearer, as they distribute the weight across the shoulders instead of directly on the belt. Normally, the leather straps cross over on shoulders and back. The spare magazines hang in opposite directions of the body from the holster. It also allows to carry a gun in jacket or sports coat. The direction of this holster is either vertical, for long guns like large or full-frame caliber revolvers, or horizontal, for other firearms. The gun can also be placed over the chest or under the armpit, and the position depends on the gun design. Advantages of this holster include the following: it is comfortable to wear, even when wearing for a long time; it is easily concealable even with a jacket; and usually distributes the weight of the gun evenly.
Sling holsters are similar to shoulder holsters, but instead consist of a band worn over one shoulder and another around the chest. This style of holster (designated M3 for the early 1-strap model and M7 for the two-strap model in the U.S. military) was used for pilots, tank operators, and other vehicle drivers in World War II as they were easier to use in the seated position. They became popular with other soldiers who disliked the heavy leather flap on the standard issue M1911A1 hip holster. They are still produced by the U.S. military.
The belly band holster is a wide elastic belt with a built-in holster, usually worn under an untucked shirt, to facilitate access. Belly band holsters that are worn at the belt line or higher with the gun placement anywhere from in front to under the armpit. In order to remain in place, a belly band must be extremely tight; this is generally uncomfortable.
Pocket holsters are used for small weapons, such as pocket pistols.
Small of back holsters place the weapon directly over the center of the back, allowing for even large handguns to be carried with little printing. While both comfortable and stylish, should the wearer fall onto the weapon (e.g., during a hand-to-hand fight) spinal injury may occur. For this reason, many police departments in the United States have disallowed any equipment from being worn in this position.
Groin holsters place the handgun mostly below the waistline in front of the body.
Thigh holsters (also named as tactical or drop leg holsters) are a popular law enforcement and police item that stores the sidearm on the leg where the hand naturally hangs, making for a fast draw. Early U.S. cavalry units used these in the early 1900s with a leather thong strapping it to the leg. Modern ones often use a drop leg PALS grid with a modular holster attached, often with buckles for quick release. Law enforcement and military personnel wear these when a bulky vest or a full belt (as in the case of K9 officers) makes belt carry unhelpful or when they want an alternative to another holster.
Ankle (aka “boot”) holsters offer excellent concealment and are used by law enforcement officials who wish to carry a secondary weapon to back up their primary firearm. However, many officers find that even a small handgun bounces around too much while running or during other physical activities.
Chest holsters can be attached to MOLLE-compatible vests and chest carriers. Like shoulder holsters, chest holsters are often easier to draw from than belt holsters when the operator is seated inside a vehicle.
Strut holsters are used exclusively for concealed carry. They are worn above the trouser belt line as a cross draw holster located directly under one's arm (9 o'clock position) or toward the front of the body (10 to 11 o'clock position). The design contains a strut which is shaped to nest behind one's trouser belt and attach to the holster at the other end. The strut transfers the weight of the firearm to the belt and retains the weapon in place for secure removal. A flexible band is also attached to the holster and worn above the waist to keep the weapon snug against the body. Concealment is achieved by wearing the unit inside of a shirt which may be tucked in or worn outside.
Pancake holsters are typically made of two pieces of the material with the handgun sandwiched between them, containing at least two belt slots. They should be carried slightly off the hip to the rear part of the back. The pancake style of carry allows pulling the gun tight against the body for a better concealment.
Cross-draw belt holsters are designed to be worn outside the waistline on the weak side of the body (opposite to the dominant hand). Although the cross-draw carry is often considered to be slower due to the necessary movement across the body, drawing the gun from a seated position can be more comfortable and even quicker carry method compared to the others. Cross-draw belt holsters may be an ideal option for wearing a backup gun on the waistline and also appropriate choice for women due to the comfort of carry and its natural adaptability to the female body.
Other types of holsters are designed to be mounted inside briefcases, purses, body bags (fanny packs), or even articles of clothing, including a tank top or bra.
The safest way for carrying a handgun is carrying it in a holster that keeps the gun stable on its place and yet gives comfort and easy access when needed. As there are many types of holster and ways for concealed carrying, one is able to choose the one that suits one's expectations and needs. For all these preferences such as—concealed carrying, safety, stability, and easy accessibility, the most popular among are belt holsters. However, even in this group one can choose the different type of attaching the holster. Some of the most common belt holster attachment options are:
Referring to
In one embodiment, the carry-article 32 is a bag and the mounting structure is inside the bag such as shown in
In one embodiment, the carry-article is a harness, rig, vest, or carrier that is secured to a user's body, either beneath or over clothing. Examples of such a carry-article that secure the holster relative to a user's body may be characterized as outside the waistband (OWB), inside the waistband (IWB), below waistband (BWB), shoulder holster, sling holster, belly band holster, pocket holster, small of back holster, groin holster, thigh holster, ankle holster, chest holster, strut holster, pancake holster, and belt holster.
In one embodiment, the carry-article is an article of clothing. Examples of such an article of clothing include a jacket, shirt, bra, tank top, hooded and non-hooded sweatshirts with or without one or more pockets, sweatpants, and track pants.
One embodiment of assembling a magnetically adjustable holster is depicted in
Alternatively, the fixed slide securing section 4 may comprise a single cavity with a longer (wider) single magnet (there would be no center bar tack). But it is believed that using at least two magnets reduces the likelihood of a fixed magnet breaking during use over time or if the holster is dropped or otherwise impacted.
Having illustrated and described the principles of the present invention, it should be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles.
Although the materials and methods of this invention have been described in terms of various embodiments and illustrative examples, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations can be applied to the materials and methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
To the extent necessary to provide descriptive support, the subject matter and/or text of the appended claims is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. It will be understood by all readers of this written description that the exemplary embodiments described and claimed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of any recited feature, element or step that is, or is not, specifically disclosed herein.
It is understood that wherever aspects are described herein with the language “comprising,” otherwise analogous aspects described in terms of “consisting of” and/or “consisting essentially of” are also provided.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is related. Numeric ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range. The use of “any range in-between” means that, for example, if the values 1, 2, and 5 are stated, then the ranges 1 to 2, 1 to 5, and 2 to 5 are all specifically disclosed. The headings provided herein are not limitations of the various aspects or aspects of the disclosure, which can be had by reference to the specification as a whole. Accordingly, the terms defined immediately below are more fully defined by reference to the specification in its entirety.
Additionally, unless defined otherwise, the term “about” when used before a number is intended to encompass values ±10% and less (e.g., ±9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25, or 0.1%). For example, the use of “about” before 100 mm encompasses all numbers with the 90-110 mm range (which corresponds to 100 mm±10%) to the 99.9-100.1 mm range (which corresponds to 100 mm±0.1%). Also, if the term “about” is used before two or more numbers (e.g., about 1″×3″ or about 1-3 mm) the foregoing variability applies to both numbers unless indicated otherwise.
Furthermore, “and/or” where used herein is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of the two specified features or components with or without the other. Thus, the term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A and/or B” herein is intended to include “A and B,” “A or B,” “A” (alone), and “B” (alone). Likewise, the term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A, B, and/or C” is intended to encompass each of the following aspects: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63/624,614, filed on Jan. 24, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63624614 | Jan 2024 | US |
