Patent Application
20170066507
This invention pertains generally to durable polymer covers which provide a smooth, protrusion free surface suitable for contact by with a synthetic line. More specifically, the invention pertains to durable polymer covers for metal deck or dock fittings which reduce the wear on synthetic lines.
Marine vessels typically rely on ropes to hold them securely on a dock. For over 150 years, the marine industry has been using wire rope to make its barge-to-barge, boat-to-barge, and mooring connections. Although wire rope is strong, it can be very dangerous for the marine worker because it is heavy and retains memory that creates uncontrolled and unpredictable stored energy. For example, wire rope can become fouled and/or bird nested when wound onto a winch drum. This can lead to injuries related to quickly released slack from the rope while manually releasing or tightening the winch drum, and specifically injuries to the worker's arms and hands while handling the rope to “free” and re-spool it properly. Further, the memory and kinks in the wire rope significantly weaken the strength and viability of the wire when stored in a wound state for any length of time.
As the wire ropes deteriorate over time due to fatigue, corrosion, abrasion, mechanical damage, and overheating, they become even more dangerous to work with. Broken strands of wire and frayed wire can lead to lacerations and wounds on the hands, arms and legs of the marine worker. Furthermore, such damage significantly weakens the strength and viability of the wire creating the possibility of additional dangers for the marine worker due to rope failure.
A recent solution to the aforementioned problems has been to use synthetic lines. Current boat-to-barge, barge-to-barge, and mooring connections all utilize deck and dock fittings intended to be used with wire rope. These fittings are most commonly made of cast steel that rusts, and contains burrs and sharp edged grooves, all of which create an abrasive surface and are non-conducive to use with synthetic line.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the prior art for deck and dock fittings, and/or durable covers for existing fittings, which are compatible with synthetic line.
The presently disclosed invention overcomes many of the shortcomings of the prior art by providing durable polymer covers for various types of metal equipment which reduce or eliminate the wear on synthetic lines.
The presently disclosed invention includes a releasably attachable durable polymer cover for a metal structure which is used for rope contact, the cover providing a smooth outer surface around the metal structure which lacks protrusions and is suitable for contact with a synthetic line. The cover comprises at least one cover section composed of a thermosetting cast polyurethane having a Shore D hardness of greater than about 60 or a Shore A hardness of greater than about 85, the at least one cover section comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, a first axial end, and a second axial end; and a means for releasable attachment of the at least one cover section around the metal structure, wherein the means for releasable attachment is positioned at or proximal to the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one cover section. The durable polymer cover is shaped to conform to an outer peripheral surface of the metal structure such that a space between any portion of an inner surface of the durable polymer cover and the outer peripheral surface of the metal structure is not greater than 0.3 inches, such as not greater than 0.2 inches, or 0.1 inches, or 0.05 inches, or 0.02 inches, or even 0.01 inches, when the durable polymer cover is installed on the metal structure.
The at least one cover section may comprise at least one recessed channel at each of the first end portion and the second end portion which is configured and sized to receive the means for releasable attachment.
According to certain aspects of the invention, the at least one recessed channel at each of the first end portion and the second end portion comprises: a top recessed channel positioned at or proximal to the top axial end of each of the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one cover section; and a bottom recessed channel positioned at or proximal to the bottom axial end of each of the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one cover section.
When the cover section includes a recessed channel, the means for releasable attachment may comprise a nut and bolt set, a screw, a tap-in pin, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, or in addition, the means for releasable attachment may comprise a ladder clip system, a ball and socket system, a cam lock system, at least one set of internally positioned high strength magnets, or a combination thereof.
The durable polymer cover may further comprise a secondary attachment means comprising a hook and loop closure, an adhesive tape, an adhesive, at least one set of internally positioned high strength magnets, or a combination thereof, wherein the secondary attachment means is positioned at or proximal to the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one cover section, on the inner surface of the durable polymer cover, or both.
According to certain aspects of the invention, the thermosetting cast polyurethane is formed by reaction of a polytetramethylene ether glycol with an isocyanate.
According to certain aspects of the invention, the at least one cover section comprises at least one row of inset teeth at each of the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the means for releasable attachment comprises contact between the at least one row of inset teeth on the first end portion and the at least one row of inset teeth on the second end portion, wherein the second end portion is on a same cover section as the first end portion or on an adjacent cover section.
According to certain aspects of the invention, the first end portion has at least one projection configured to fit within at least one indent on the second end portion, wherein the second end portion is on a same cover section as the first end portion or on an adjacent cover section.
The metal structure may be selected from the group comprising bollards, chocks, roller chocks, cleats, kevels, capstans, winches, sheaves, buttons, bits, double bits, H-bits, side bits, fairleads, fairlead rollers, pilings, dauphins, mooring rings, deck perimeters and dock perimeters.
According to certain aspects of the invention, one or both of the first axial end and the second axial end comprises a lip that restricts rotational movement of the durable polymer cover about the metal structure when the durable polymer cover is installed on the metal structure.
According to certain aspects of the invention, the at least one cover section may further comprise at least one countersunk channel, and the means for releasable attachment of the at least one cover section is used to directly attach the cover section to the metal structure through the at least one countersunk channel. The means for releasable attachment may comprise a screw, a tap-in pin, or a combination thereof.
The presently disclosed invention further includes a protective cover for a cleat or kevel. The cover comprises two sections shaped to conform to an outer peripheral surface of the cleat or kevel such that a space between any portion of an inner surface of the protective cover and the outer peripheral surface of the cleat or kevel is not greater than 0.3 inches, such as not greater than 0.2 inches, or 0.1 inches, or 0.05 inches, or 0.02 inches, or even 0.01 inches, when the durable polymer cover is installed on the metal structure. Each section is composed of a thermosetting cast polyurethane having a Shore D hardness of greater than about 60 or a Shore A hardness of greater than about 85. Further, each section comprises a base portion, a top portion, at least one center column portion connecting the base portion and the top portion, and a lateral edge. The cover further comprises a means for releasable attachment of the two sections in face-to-face relation, wherein the means for releasable attachment is positioned at or proximal to the lateral edge of each section. The protective cover thus provides a smooth outer surface lacking protrusions which is suitable for contact with a synthetic line.
The means for releasable attachment may comprise a nut and bolt set, a screw, a tap-in pin, a ladder clip system, a ball and socket system, a cam lock system, at least one set of internally positioned high strength magnets, or a combination thereof.
The protective cover for a cleat or kevel may further comprise a secondary attachment means comprising a hook and loop closure, an adhesive tape, an adhesive, at least one set of internally positioned high strength magnets, or a combination thereof, wherein the secondary attachment means is positioned at or proximal to lateral edge of one or both of the two cover sections, on the inner surface of the durable polymer cover, or both.
The presently disclosed invention further includes a device for rope contact on a marine deck or dock, the device comprising a metal structure attachable to the marine deck or dock, wherein the metal structure is configured to hold or secure a wire rope, and any of the durable various polymer covers described above, wherein the durable polymer cover provides a smooth outer surface around the metal structure which lacks protrusions and is suitable for contact with a synthetic line.
The presently disclosed invention also includes a protective cover for a marine deck or dock perimeter. The cover may comprise a top portion and a base portion, wherein the cover is configured to conceal at least the portion of the peripheral or edge surface of the deck or dock perimeter which is contacted by wire rope. The protective cover may further comprise at least one hook configured to attach to a corresponding hook or loop on the marine deck or dock, or which may be used to attach the cover to the marine dock or deck by connection means such as a screw or nut and bolt set. The protective cover may further comprise at least one magnet configured to contact or hold onto the marine deck or dock perimeter.
The presently disclosed invention also includes methods for protecting synthetic line from abrasion or damage on structures intended for contact with wire rope. The method may comprise providing at least one protective cover comprising at least one cover section, as disclosed above. The at least one cover section may be placed around the structure so that a first end portion of the at least one cover section is proximate to a second end portion of either the same cover section or an adjacent cover section. The at least one cover section may then be secured onto the structure by attaching the first end portion to the proximate second end portion. Alternatively, the lateral edges of two cover sections may be connected in face-to-face arrangement. Attachment may be by any means previously disclosed.
Aspects, features, benefits and advantages of the embodiments herein will be apparent with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. In the following figures, like numerals represent like features in the various views. It is to be noted that features and components in these drawings, illustrating the views of embodiments of the present invention, unless stated to be otherwise, are not necessarily drawn to scale.
In the following description, the presently disclosed invention is set forth in the context of various alternative embodiments and implementations involving durable polymer covers which provide a non-abrasive surface suitable for contact with synthetic line. These covers are designed to encase the rope contacting surfaces of various types of metal equipment. As such, these covers may be used to encase or cover any type of metal equipment or fitting which is normally used with wire rope, and provide a low coefficient of friction cover which is smooth and protrusion free and thus reduces wear on the synthetic line and protects the line from damage.
Various aspects of the durable polymer covers may be illustrated by describing components that are coupled, attached, and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms “coupled”, “attached”, and/or “joined” are interchangeably used to indicate either a direct connection between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect connection to one another through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being “directly coupled”, “directly attached”, and/or “directly joined” to another component, there are no intervening elements shown in said examples.
Various aspects of the durable polymer covers may be illustrated with reference to one or more exemplary implementations. As used herein, the term “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other variations of the devices, systems, or methods disclosed herein. “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not. In addition, the word “comprising” as used herein means “including, but not limited to”.
Relative terms such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of aspects of the durable polymer covers in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. By way of example, if aspects of the durable polymer covers shown in the drawings are turned over, elements described as being on the “bottom” side of the other elements would then be oriented on the “top” side of the other elements as shown in the relevant drawing. The term “bottom” can therefore encompass both an orientation of “bottom” and “top” depending on the particular orientation of the drawing.
Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, ratios, ranges, etc. used herein are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range.
It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to any of “a” sleeve, “a” cover, “a” bolt may be taken to be a reference to one or more of each and equivalents thereof, and so forth. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
The presently disclosed invention includes protective covers for various types of equipment, including at least marine deck or dock equipment such as cleats, chocks, bits, buttons, kevels, capstans, winches, sheaves, fairleads, and bollards. The following definitions are provided for clarity only, and are not meant to be limiting of the presently disclosed invention. For example, while a winch is indicated here as a type of marine deck or dock equipment, such may be found on land vehicles, rescue vehicles, or in other types of industry, such as the logging industry.
As used herein, the term “cleat” may be taken to mean a type of fixture found on docks and vessels, typically shaped like a very wide and short capital letter T. Closed types of cleats may have a solid base while open types may have two closely spaced legs in the center. In use, a line with a loop on the end can be passed through the legs and secured over the top portion (top of the T).
As used herein, the term “chock” may be taken to mean a type of fixture typically found on a vessel which is designed to hold a line rather than using it as a tie point. A chock may be found near a cleat and generally is used to keep the line in position so it does not move laterally and chafe or abrade. Chocks are generally designed as flattened loops that have a narrow opening at the top to accept and remove the line.
As used herein, the term “bit” may be taken to mean a type of fixture which is a solid column (square or cylindrical) having a cross bar that is of a lesser diameter and which forms a lowercase letter t. While bits are mostly found on vessels near the bow and stern, they may be used on docks. If there is a need to use something taller than a cleat in order to accept large diameter lines.
As used herein, the term “button” may be taken to mean a type of fixture which is a solid cylindrical column and which may be used to thread cable between boats or barges and/or a dock. As used herein, the term “bollard” may be taken to mean a type of fixture which is a solid cylindrical column and which may be used to thread cable between boats or barges and/or a dock. Bollards are typically larger than buttons and are most commonly found on docks and large ships.
As used herein, the term “capstan” may be taken to mean a type of fixture which is a revolving drum, with a vertical axis, that is used for heaving in lines. As used herein, the term “winch” may be taken to mean a type of fixture which is a revolving drum, with a horizontal axis, that is used for heaving in lines. As used herein, the term “sheave” may be taken to refer to a pulley wheel that turns inside a block, and which contacts the rope. As used herein, the term “fairlead” may be taken to mean a type of fixture which is used to guide a line, rope or cable around an object, either out of the way or to stop it from moving laterally. Typically, a fairlead will be a ring or hook. A fairlead may be a separate piece of hardware, or it could be a channel in the structure of the deck or dock.
A typical wire rope is about 1 inch by 65 feet and weighs over 120 pounds. Replacing that rope with a synthetic line reduces the weight to a little over 15 pounds, or about 87% lighter than the wire rope. Further, in addition to being lighter, that same synthetic line is also 14% stronger (1 inch wire breaking strength=103,400 lbs. of line pull; 1 inch synthetic breaking strength=120,000 lbs. of line pull). Synthetic line has no memory so there is no stored energy (e.g. no violent backlash when broken under high loads), it floats in water, and greatly reduces the tripping hazards on barge decks. Additionally, synthetic line will not accumulate the burrs that wire rope does, and thus eliminates the danger of lacerations a worker faces when handling with wire rope.
Synthetic line is also more efficient than wire rope. Only one person is needed for winch operation (eliminating the need for two or more people to operate), making and breaking connections can be done more quickly without sacrificing safety, and the take up of slack and final tensioning on any tensioning device is easier and faster. Thus, the use of synthetic line represents a huge improvement in both the ease and efficiency of operation and safety for the worker.
While synthetic line has many advantages over wire rope, it has not been globally adopted. Often, this is due to a prohibitive expense associated with replacing the current equipment so that it may be used with synthetic line. For example, in the marine industry, current boat-to-barge, barge-to-barge, and mooring connections all utilize fittings intended to be used with wire rope. These fittings are most commonly made of cast steel that rusts and contains burrs and sharp edged grooves, all of which create an abrasive surface which is non-conducive to use with synthetic line. The protective covers of the presently disclosed invention solve this problem by providing smooth, durable polymer covers for the standard metal equipment normally used for contact by wire rope. These covers offer a low coefficient of friction surface that is protrusion free and thus reduces or eliminates the wear and tear on synthetic lines.
The covers may be installed and uninstalled with ease and in certain cases may be portable. The covers may be composed of durable polymers which provide a smooth, protrusion free and/or low friction surface which is abrasion resistant. The durable polymers may include at least nylon, polyester, polyether, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane, specially blended urethane polymers, polyethylene, polytetrafluorethylene, high molecular weight polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, hard rubber combined with other materials, or combinations thereof. In general, any durable polymer having a Shore D hardness of greater than about 60 or a Shore A hardness of greater than about 85 may be used to form the durable polymer covers of the presently disclosed invention. The exact polymer selected may depend on the size of the durable polymer cover, the environment in which it will be used, and the specific type of work and work load to which it will be subjected.
In certain embodiments, the durable polymer material may be thermosetting cast polyurethane having a Shore D hardness of about 65 or a Shore A hardness of about 95. In certain embodiments, the polymeric material may be polyurethane formed from the polyol polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) and an isocyanate.
These durable polymers may create a low coefficient of friction cover that may fit over existing fittings or equipment which was intended for use with wire rope, and thus provide the user with the ability to use synthetic lines without harming the line. Further, these covers may still be strong enough to withstand the rigors of wire rope in the event a user chooses to employ such.
The durable polymer covers of the presently disclosed invention may be used to cover any type of equipment or fitting normally used with wire rope. Examples of such equipment include marine equipment, such as a deck or dock structures normally used for wire rope contact. Non-limiting examples of such deck or dock structures include at least bollards, chocks, roller chocks, cleats, kevels, capstans, winches, sheaves, buttons, bits, double bits, H-bits, side bits, fairleads, fairlead rollers, deck or dock perimeters, pilings, dauphins, and mooring rings. The covers may also be used to cover equipment used for towing, such as the winches and rigging found in a tow truck or vehicle, or for rigging, such as the rigging used by window washers and painters. Further, other industries may find these covers useful, such as the logging industry which has recently begun to switch from wire rope to synthetic line.
The durable polymer covers are lightweight, weather resistant and may only require simple tools for installation and/or removal, such as for the removal and re-installation required for deck fitting inspection or replacement. According to certain aspects of the present invention, the durable polymer covers may be installed and/or removed without tools, such as by hand.
The durable polymer covers of the presently disclosed invention may comprise means for attaching the covers about a peripheral surface of the various types of equipment. Such means may include at least adhesives, hook and loop closures, magnets, various types of tape, complementary teeth at opposing end, screws, or nuts and bolts. Each of these attachment means may be used individually or in combination, and may be used to attach the cover to the equipment, such as by screwing the cover directly to the equipment, and/or may be used to attach cover sections to each other around the equipment. For example, the cover for a winch may comprise a single section having complimentary projections/indents at opposing ends and magnets embedded within the single section. The magnets may hold the section onto the equipment and the complimentary projections/indents at the opposing ends may be fitted together to secure the section to itself thus forming a cover. The ends may be further secured using an adhesive.
Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the durable polymer covers of the presently disclosed invention are shown in
In the various embodiments of the durable polymer covers disclosed herein, possible connection means include screws and/or nuts and bolts which may be used to secure the various cover sections to one another and/or to the rope contacting surface. The screws or nuts and bolts may be formed of any material known in the art. In preferred embodiments, these parts may be formed from non-corrosive materials such as, for example, stainless steel, nylon, or other plastics or polymers. Other connections means are also possible in place of, or in addition to, screws and/or nuts and bolts, several of which are described herein below.
With continued reference to
Further, and with continued reference to
While the embodiment of the durable polymer cover shown in
Additionally, while the embodiments of the durable polymer cover shown in each of
In various embodiments of the durable polymer cover, each cover section may further comprise at least one magnet which is configured to contact the peripheral surface of the equipment to be covered. The magnet may be embedded within the durable polymer cover, or may be positioned on an inner surface of the durable polymer cover which is adjacent to the peripheral surface of the equipment. The magnet may aid in placing and/or holding the cover on the peripheral surface of the equipment during installation.
Shown in
The magnets included in the durable polymer cover shown in
In other embodiments, each cover section may further comprise at least one magnet at one end portion and a magnetically responsive material at the other end portion configured to make contact with the magnet on an end portion of an adjacent section (see for example magnets 1910 in
These magnets may be hard or permanent magnets which are placed at specific positions, as described above, or may be magnetic polymers, which may be placed at any position along the cover section such as, for example, an inner or end portion layer. Magnetic polymer materials are advantageous as they can be easily and cheaply formed into complex shapes, and can be corrosion resistant and low friction. Exemplary materials include Dupont™ Teflon®, hard rubber, or nylon mixed with atomized ferromagnetic material. Other similar cheap polymers include epoxy and polyester resins. The use of such magnetic polymers avoids the use of traditional ferrite block and metal parts, which are heavy and costly to cut and shape, especially when the shape may be curved.
In certain embodiments, portions of the ends of each durable polymer cover may further comprise ultra-high bond (UHB) or very high bond (VHB) tape, such as 3M™ VHB™ tape, which may aid in placing and holding cover sections together before the attachment means (screws or nuts and bolts) can be introduced. Such tape may also be placed on any portion of an interior surface of each cover section which is adjacent to the peripheral surface of the equipment. As such, the tape may aid in placing and/or holding the cover section(s) on the peripheral surface of the equipment during installation.
In various embodiments of the durable polymer cover, each cover section may further comprise at least one section of hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro®, which is configured to contact a complimentary section of hook and loop fastener placed on the peripheral surface of the equipment. As with the tapes and magnets discussed above, these fasteners may aid in placing and/or holding the durable polymer cover on the peripheral surface of the equipment during installation. Further, and as discussed above for the tape and magnets, each section may comprise one section of Velcro® or hook and loop fastener at an end portion which is configured to contact a complimentary section of Velcro® or hook and loop fastener placed at the other end portion. In this way, adjacent facing ends of the cover sections may be brought together and held in place while a secondary connection means is inserted. The hook and loop fastener may be used alone as the only connection means, or may be used in combination with one or more of any of the other connection means disclosed herein.
Additional connection means include at least glues or adhesives, which may be placed on the inner surface of the cover sections and/or on the end portions (as described above for the magnets and the hook and loop fasteners).
As shown in
Shown in
An alternate embodiment of a durable polymer cover for a double bit is shown in
Another alternate embodiment of a durable polymer cover for a double bit is shown in
The presently disclosed invention may also include rope contacting structures useable on marine docks or decks. As shown in
Each cover section may also comprise a means for connecting the cover sections at the top and/or bottom of the protective cover. Shown in
Also shown in
Shown in
An alternate embodiment of a durable polymer cover for a kevel is shown in
The durable polymer covers of the presently disclosed invention are intended to be used to protect synthetic line from abrasion or damage on structures intended for contact with wire rope. As such, at least one cover section may be placed adjacent to the structure so that a first end portion of the at least one cover section is proximate to a second end portion of either the same cover section or an adjacent cover section. The at least one section may comprise magnets which act to releasable hold the section onto the structure. The at least one section may then be secured around the structure by attaching the first end portion to the proximate second end portion. The attachment may be by any means previously disclosed. In embodiments where the durable polymer cover is portable, no attachment may be needed at the first and second ends and the cover may be held in place by the magnets.
Shown in
Shown in
Also included in the presently disclosed invention are protective covers for the drums of a winch or capstan. Embodiments previously described and shown to cover buttons and bits may also be used to cover the rope contacting surfaces of a winch or capstan drum. Alternatively, and as shown in
Another alternate embodiment of a durable polymer cover for a button is shown in
The presently disclosed invention may also include rope contacting structures useable on marine docks or decks. As shown in
With reference to
With reference to
While the durable polymer covers have been described in the context of covering marine deck or dock structures, other embodiments and fields of use are within the scope of the presently disclosed invention. For example, the covers disclosed herein may also be used to cover equipment used for towing, such as the winches and rigging found on a tow truck or vehicle, or for rigging, such as the rigging used by window washers and painters. Further, other industries may use such covers, such as the logging industry which has recently begun to switch from wire rope to synthetic line for cable logging.
In each of the embodiments shown and discussed herein, the covers may be composed of durable polymers such as, for example, nylon, polyester, polyether, polyurethane, specially blended urethane polymers, polyethylene, polytetrafluorethylene, high molecular weight polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, or hard rubber combined with other materials. In general, any durable polymer having a Shore D hardness of greater than about 60 or a Shore A hardness of greater than about 85 may be used to form the durable polymer covers of the presently disclosed invention. In certain embodiments, the durable polymer material may be thermosetting cast polyurethane having a Shore D hardness of about 65 or a Shore A hardness of about 95. In certain embodiments, the polymeric material may be polyurethane formed from the polyol polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) and an isocyanate. Such durable polymers may create a low coefficient of friction surface that reduces the wear and damage to synthetic line yet may be strong enough to withstand the rigors of wire rope in the event a user chooses to use such.
In certain embodiments, the durable polymeric material may further comprise a backing or embedded material which may reinforce the cover sections. For example, fiberglass fibers may be incorporated as a backing material during the casting process. The fibers may be provided as an open weave or may comprise chopped fibers which are distributed throughout the polymeric material. The added reinforcing materials may be used to help the disclosed covers resist high pressures or localized strains when under load with a synthetic line.
The choice of the hardness of the polymer material may be dictated by the final use and thickness of the cover. In each of the aforementioned examples (see for example
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternations and applications could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements, systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/248,716, filed on Apr. 9, 2014, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14248716 | Apr 2014 | US |
| Child | 15357400 | US |
