Patent Application
20240082628
Not applicable to this application.
Example embodiments in general relate to an exercise machine which is capable of having its lift, roll, and/or pitch adjusted with respect to a base so as to provide a plurality of positions of the exercise machine with respect to the base.
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
The exercise field is well known. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that traditional exercise machines with a sliding, substantially horizontal exercise platform, such as a Pilates machine, are intended to maintain a stable and substantially horizontal surface upon which to exercise. Fitness trainers have long known that repeatedly exercising on the same type of machine promotes what is referred to as muscle memory, the condition wherein various muscle-related tasks are easier to perform after previous practice, even if the task has not been performed for a while. It is as if the muscles “remember”. Further, trainers have long understood that to break the muscle memory cycle, it is beneficial to continually change the types of exercises and/or types of exercise machines.
Traditional exercise machines that cannot be substantially changed therefore fail to provide the variations needed to prevent or break the muscle memory cycle.
Fitness trainers will readily appreciate the training benefits of a machine that could continually be changed throughout an exercise routine as a means to continually stimulate new muscles, and prevent muscle memory.
An example embodiment is directed to an exercise machine. The exercise machine includes a base and an exercise machine movably connected to the base. The exercise machine may include a track, a carriage slidably connected to the track, and a biasing member attached to the carriage to apply a resistive force to the carriage. A plurality of actuators may be connected between the base and the exercise machine. The plurality of actuators may be utilized to adjust a pitch angle or a roll angle of the exercise machine with respect to the base. The plurality of actuators may also be utilized to lift or lower the exercise machine at a constant angle of pitch and/or roll inclination.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the embodiments of the exercise machine in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional embodiments of the exercise machine that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the exercise machine in detail, it is to be understood that the exercise machine is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The exercise machine is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference characters, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.
Various aspects of specific embodiments are disclosed in the following description and related drawings. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure relevant details. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description, a discussion of several terms used herein follows.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments” is not exhaustive and does not require that all embodiments include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
Although more than one embodiment is illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.
As shown throughout the figures, an exemplary embodiment may comprise a base 100 and an exercise machine 600 movably connected to the base 100. The exercise machine may comprise a track 105, 108, a carriage 200, 205 slidably connected to the track 105, 108, and a biasing member 106 attached to the carriage 200, 205 to apply a resistive force to the carriage 200, 205.
A plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be connected between the base 100 and the exercise machine 600. The plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be adapted to adjust the exercise machine 600 with respect to the base 100. More specifically, the plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be adapted to rotate the exercise machine 600 about up to two axes (pitch and roll) as well as lift or lower the exercise machine 600 along a vertical axis with respect to the base 100.
The plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be operable to lift or lower the exercise machine 600 along a vertical axis at a constant level of inclination with respect to the base 100. The plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be operable to move the exercise machine 600 about a first axis with respect to the base 100. In some embodiments, the plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may also be operable to move the exercise machine 600 about a second axis with respect to the base 100. By way of example, the first axis could comprise a pitch axis of the exercise machine 600, and the second axis could comprise a roll axis of the exercise machine 600, or vice versa.
The exercise machine 600 may include a first platform 201, 206 near a first end of the exercise machine 600 and a second platform 202, 207 near a second end of the exercise machine 600. The plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be operable to lift or lower the first platform 201, 206 and the second platform 202, 207 along a vertical axis with respect to the base 100.
The plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may comprise a first actuator 101 connected between a first end of the base 100 and a first end of the exercise machine 600 and a second actuator 103 connected between a second end of the base 100 and a second end of the exercise machine 600. The plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may also comprise a third actuator 102 connected between a first end of the base 100 and a first end of the exercise machine 600 and a fourth actuator 104 connected between a second end of the base 100 and a second end of the exercise machine 600.
A plurality of articulating connectors 113 may be utilized to connect each of the plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 to the exercise machine 600. The articulating connectors 113 may also be utilized to connect each of the plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 to the base 100. Extension of each of the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 together may be operable to lift the exercise machine 600 with respect to the base 100. Retraction of each of the plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be operable to lower the exercise machine 600 with respect to the base 100.
In some embodiments, a controller 500 may be communicatively interconnected with each of the plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104. A mobile device 502 such as a laptop computer, smart phone, tablet, or the like may be adapted to transmit a signal to the controller 500 for adjusting each of the plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104. In some embodiments, a wired device 501 such as a remote control may be connected to the controller 500 for adjusting each of the plurality of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104.
An exemplary method of exercising on an exercise machine 600 may comprise the steps of providing an exercise machine 600 movably connected to a base 100 as described herein and positioning an exerciser 400 on the exercise machine 600 to perform a first exercise. The exercise machine 600 may be moved about a pitch axis in a first direction and about a roll axis in a second direction, as well as lifted along a vertical axis at a constant angle of inclination with respect to the base 100 to a lifted position. The exerciser 400 may perform the first exercise during or after the steps of moving and lifting the exercise machine 600.
In an exemplary embodiment, the exercise machine 600 may be pivoted about the pitch axis in the second direction to a second position; with the second position having a different attitude with respect to the first position. The exerciser 400 may perform a second exercise during or after the step of pivoting the exercise machine 600.
In another exemplary embodiment, the exercise machine 600 may be pivoted about the roll axis in the second direction to a second position; with the second position having a different attitude with respect to the first position. The exerciser 400 may perform a second exercise during or after the step of pivoting the exercise machine 600.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the exercise machine 600 may be lowered along a vertical axis with respect to the base to a lowered position; with the lowered position having a different altitude with respect to the lifted position. The exerciser 400 may perform a second exercise during or after the step of pivoting the exercise machine 600.
The type of actuator 101, 102, 103, 104 used may vary in different embodiments. The actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be motorized. The actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may comprise any device used to create linear motion by moving an extensible/retractable first portion of an actuator relative to a second portion of the actuator; the distal ends of the first and second portions being affixed to a first and second structure of an exercise machine 600. The exemplary types of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 shown and described herein are not intended to be limiting, and may comprise one or more types of actuators well known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to linear, electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and/or electromechanical actuators.
In practice, the movable carriage 200 may be slidable substantially the distance between the proximate edges of the opposed platforms 201, 202. The movable carriage 200, which may include a plurality of wheels not shown but which will be later described, may be slidable upon a track 105, such as pair of rails affixed to the lateral sides of a beam assembly.
A biasing force is applied to the movable carriage 200 so as to create exercise resistance when an exerciser 400 moves the carriage against the biasing force; the biasing force thereby created by removably attaching at least one biasing member 106 between the movable carriage and preferably one end of the beam assembly. The biasing members 106 may comprise one or more springs, elastic bands, electromagnetic devices capable of creating variable resistance, an eddy current brake, a friction inducing clutch, or other resistance inducing devices and methods that create a resistive force substantially linearly and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the exercise machine 600. In some embodiments, the biasing members 106 may be positioned within the internal area of the track 105 such as a beam assembly.
A movable carriage 200 may be slidable along a track 108 formed of parallel sliding rails affixed to each lateral edge of a beam assembly; the rails extending parallel to and substantially the length of the beam assembly. In practice, a biasing force BF may be applied to the movable carriage 200 by one or more biasing members 106; one end of the biasing members 106 being removably attached to the movable carriage 200, and an opposed end of the biasing members 106 affixed to the exercise machine 600.
As another example, if the exercise machine 600 is rolled at an angle, the roll angle will be maintained as the exercise machine 600 is lifted or lowered with respect to the base 100. As yet another example, if the exercise machine 600 is both rolled and tilted at an angle, both the roll and tilt angle may be maintained uniformly as the exercise machine 600 is lifted or lowered with respect to the base 100.
This may be accomplished by maintaining uniform extension/retraction of the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 (same velocity and acceleration) while retaining the relative positioning of the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 as the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 are extended or retracted. For example, if the first actuator 101 and second actuator 103 are both extended by twenty percent, and the third actuator 102 and fourth actuator 104 are both extended by zero percent, the exercise machine 600 would be lifted or lowered at a constant angle of inclination by uniformly extending the four actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 a uniform distance at a uniform speed; with the first and second actuators 101, 103 starting movement from the twenty percent extended position at the same time as the third and fourth actuators 102, 104 start movement from the zero percent extended position.
The back right and left handle assemblies 300, 301 are affixed to their respective sides of the first platform 201, and a front right and left handle assembly 302, 303 are affixed to their respective sides of the second platform 202. A right push pad 304 may be affixed to the front right handle assembly 302, and a left push pad 305 may be affixed to the front left handle assembly 303. A movable carriage 200 may be slidably affixed to the exercise machine 600 which is adapted to slide reciprocally substantially the length of the exercise machine 600 between the platforms 201, 202.
In an exemplary embodiment, the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be the only supporting members extending between the base 100 and the exercise machine 600. The manner in which the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 are connected between the base 100 and the exercise machine 600 may vary in different embodiments. Further, the size, shape, orientation, and positioning of the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may vary in different embodiments.
An exemplary arrangement of actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 is shown in
In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the first and third actuators 101, 102 each extend from different points on the first end of the base 100. The second and fourth actuators 103, 104 extend from different points on the second end of the base 100. The manner in which the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 are connected to the base 100 may vary, including the use of articulating connectors 113 as described herein.
The actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may adjust in orientation as they extend and/or retract; such as by rotating or pivoting about the articulating connectors 113 as shown in the exemplary figures. The actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be connected to both the base 100 and the exercise machine 600 by articulating connectors 113 to allow maneuverability of the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 on both their proximal and distal ends when extending or retracting. In other embodiments, only one end (distal or proximal) of the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be connected by an articulating connector 113; with the opposing end being connected by another linkage such as a clasp, bracket, or hinge.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the first and third actuators 101, 102 are connected at their distal ends to the exercise machine 600. The position on the exercise machine 600 to which the distal ends of the first and third actuators 101, 102 are connected may vary in different embodiments. The distal ends of the first and third actuators 101, 102 may be connected to a position at or near the first end of the exercise machine 600. In the exemplary figures, the first and third actuators 101, 102 are connected to the first platform 201 of the exercise machine 600. The first and third actuators 101, 102 may be parallel with respect to each other or may extend at different angles.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the second and fourth actuators 103, 104 are connected at their distal ends to the exercise machine 600. The position on the exercise machine 600 to which the distal ends of the second and fourth actuators 103, 104 are connected may vary in different embodiments. The distal ends of the second and fourth actuators 103, 104 may be connected to a position at or near the second end of the exercise machine 600. In the exemplary figures, the second and fourth actuators 103, 104 are connected to the second platform 202 of the exercise machine 600. The second and fourth actuators 103, 104 may be parallel with respect to each other or may extend at different angles.
In
In the non-horizontal orientation as shown in
Further, as shown in the drawing, the exercise machine 600 may be rotated about the longitudinal axis indicated 109 of the track 105 by extending the third actuator 102 to a length that exceeds the length of the first actuator 101, and correspondingly extending the fourth actuator 104 to a length that exceeds the length of the second actuator 103.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that coordination between the actuation of all actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be beneficial to prevent tension, compression or torsional stresses to be introduced to the exercise machine 600. Coordination of the simultaneous actuation of the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be preferably managed by a computer program or programmable controller 500.
In
An exerciser 400 is shown standing on the inclined movable carriage 200 while gripping the front right handle assembly 302 and front left handle assembly 303. A movable carriage 200 is slidable along substantially the length of the exercise machine 600; the carriage 200 being resistance-biased towards the front end of the machine 600 by one or more biasing members 106. In practice, the exerciser 400 would perform the instant exercise by extending his legs and pushing his arms forward to move the slidable carriage 200 down the incline in a direction opposed to the resistance force RF created by the one or more biasing members 106.
It should be noted that the method of installing an actuator 101, 102, 103, 104 between the base 100 and exercise machine 600 is not meant to be limiting. In the embodiment shown in
The longitudinal track 105, and correspondingly the movable carriage 200 are shown aligned substantially horizontally and parallel to the base 100. The actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 are all extended to predetermined lengths that cause the exercise platforms 201, 202 to be aligned substantially horizontally.
As previously described, changing the angle of the exercise plane before or during exercising provides for avoiding muscle memory. As can be readily seen, the exercise plane of the movable carriage 200 and second platform 202 is changed by rotating the track 105 about its central axis in the direction of the arched line and arrow head. The first and fourth actuators 101, 104 are extended while the second actuator 103 and third actuator 102 are not extended; thereby increasing the vertical dimension between the left side of the exercise machine 600 and the base 100 relative to the right side of the machine 600.
It should be noted that if the exercise machine 600 was previously elevated above the lower default starting position as previously described, the same or similar rotation of the track 105 about its central axis could be similarly achieved by maintaining the position of the fourth actuator 104 and third actuator 102, and retracting the second actuator 103 and first actuator 101 to lower the right side of the machine 600 relative to the left side of the machine 600.
A bearing fastener 117 such as a bolt and nut or clevis pin may inserted through the mounting member 112 and the bore through the misalignment bearing 114. The articulating connector 113 may be affixed to the distal end 116 of the extensible/retractable portion of the actuator 101, 102, 103, 104. Although not shown in
In practice, the bearing housing 115 may be repositioned by rotating the actuator shaft 116 about the central axis of the bearing fastener 117. Further, the bearing housing 115 may be articulated about the bearing 114 to allow for the shaft 116 to be oriented other than substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the bearing fastener 177. As can be seen, the actuator shaft 116 may be misaligned to laterally or medially with respect to the position of the actuator mounting member 115 within an angular range indicated by the plus or minus theta angles shown on
The round cross section profile of the handles 208, 211 may provide for easy and cost-effective manufacturing, while also providing for a comfortable natural grip by the exerciser's 403 hands.
As previously discussed, in practice, one or more biasing members 106 may be removably attached between the movable carriage 200 and the exercise machine 600 structure substantially at a front end of the machine 600. The exercise force required to move the movable carriage 200 in a direction opposed to the end of the machine 600 to which the biasing members 106 are attached must be sufficient to overcome the resistance force of the biasing members 106. The resistance force may be increased or decreased by attaching or detaching additional biasing members 106.
One variation of the exercise platforms 206, 207 provides for openings within the platform 206, 207; thereby creating additional lateral projections within the perimeter of the platforms 206, 207 used by the exerciser 403 for gripping or pushing against during exercise.
The platform center pad 209 is typically comprised of an internal structure that is covered with a resilient material of nominal thickness providing for comfortable kneeling, sitting or standing on by an exerciser 403.
In
A platform 214 provides for the mounting of the pad 209 and outboard round bar 208 to the carriage 200, and further provides for the attachment of a plurality of trolley wheel assemblies 216 into which a plurality of trolley wheels 215 may be installed. The trolley wheels 215 and wheel supporting members are positioned substantially equal lateral dimensions from the central axis of the machine 600 so that the wheels 215 engage parallel rails 108 affixed to the track 105. The trolley wheels 215 provide for retaining the carriage 200 to the track 105 while allowing the carriage 200 to roll substantially between the platforms 201, 202 along the parallel rails 108.
As can be seen, the outboard round handle 208 provides for a more comfortable and surer grip by an exerciser's hand 402 when compared to the substantially vertical surfaces and right-angle corner of the platform center pad 209, even if the right angle edge is rounded to minimize sharp corners. Those skilled in the art will immediately appreciate the advantages of a round bar handle over a substantially rectilinear cross section of a resilient exercise pad when used as a hand gripping surface.
As can be readily seen, the thumb of a hand 402 may be comfortably inserted through the pad void 218 between the pad perimeter 220 and the laterally projecting handle 219, thereby providing for a cross sectional portion of the pad 217 dimensionally appropriate for use as a handle 219.
It should be noted that although not shown, various structural members may be used on the underside of the platform center pad 209, outboard round handles 208, handle corners 212, and the connection points between the pad 209, corner handles 212 and outboard handles 208 using well-known devices and/or methods. It is not the intention to limit the method of affixing the pad 209 and handles 208 to the structure of a movable carriage 200.
The geometry of the platform center pad 209 of the movable carriage 200 provides for a void 218 to be formed between the opposed perimeter edges of the pad and the perimeter outboard round handle 208 and handle corners 213. Further, the geometry results in the creation of a plurality of lateral projections 213 that may be used as gripping or pushing surfaces for an exerciser's hands or feet.
As previously described, in practice, a force is applied by an exerciser 400 to a movable carriage 200 to overcome a resistance force RF created by one or more biasing members 106 but removably attachable between a stationary exercise machine 600 and a movable carriage 200; the exercise force vector being applied substantially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the exercise machine 600. Those skilled in the art will therefore appreciate that the central axis of an efficient handle used to push or pull a movable carriage 200 along the longitudinal axis of the machine 600 and against a resistance force would preferably be oriented substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the exercise machine 600 and biasing members 106.
In
It should be noted that the inboard round handles 211 may be positioned at any desired location along the length of the carriage 200, for instance, at a dimension that is half of the length between the front and back of the carriage 200, and that the position of the handles 211 as shown in the drawing are not meant to be limiting.
One variation of the inboard round handle 211 is a cross handle 222. Two opposed cross handles 222 are shown in
Further, the void 218 formed between the center pad of the first platform 201 and the two outboard round handles 208 and handle corners 212 positioned on the opposed lateral sides of the platform 201 provide for gripping surfaces substantially the perimeter of the platform 201.
The dimension of the void 218 between the front and back surfaces of the captive inboard handle 221 may be sufficient to accommodate the insertion of a hand 402 or foot of an exerciser 400 facing either the front or back of the carriage 200.
Based on the selected exercise, settings for the four actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may be determined. The determination of the actuator 101, 102, 103, 104 positions may be preprogrammed, for example, into a controller 500 or software application, or may be determined ad hoc by the trainer or exerciser 400. The trainer or exerciser 400, in determining the actuator 101, 102, 103, 104 positions, sends communication to the controller 500 via a mobile device 502, or in one variation, by use an analog or digital signal inputting wired device 501 such as a joystick.
Having received the signal from the exerciser 400 or trainer via either a mobile device 502 or wired device 501, the controller 500 actuates the appropriate actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 by activating the actuator motors, or if using pneumatic or hydraulic actuators, by opening the appropriate valves to control fluid flow in communication with the preferred actuators 101, 102, 103, 104.
Upon the exercise platforms 201, 202 and/or carriage 200 reaching the desired plane, the exerciser 400 begins the exercise. After completing the given exercise on the instant position of the exercise platforms 201, 202 and/or carriage 200, the exerciser 400 or trainer determines the next exercise in the workout sequence, and repositions the exercise machine 600 by repeating the process just described.
When the last repetition of the last exercise is completed, the exerciser 400 or trainer sends a signal to the controller 500, such as by a wired device 501 or mobile device 502; the signal thereby directing all of the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 to return to the lowest, fully retracted state that returns the exercise machine 600 to the lowest level, positioned on a substantially horizontal plane.
It should be noted that a trainer may elect to change the positioning of the exercise machine 600 during an exercise rather than waiting until all of the repetitions of a particular exercise are complete. The trainer may change the positioning of the exercise machine 600 during the performance of an exercise by repeating the steps just described.
In one variation, the program is installed on a controller 500. A signal is sent to the controller 500 by an exerciser or trainer using a hard wired device 501 or a mobile device 502 in communication with the controller 500. The controller 500, having received the instructions from the wired device 501 or mobile device 502, directs the positions of the first actuator 503, second actuator 504, third actuator 505 and forth actuator 506 to simultaneously extend, retract or remain unchanged to therefore reposition the exercise platforms to the preferred new position. Although
Further, a side view of an exercise machine 600 as previously described is shown supported above a base 100 by four actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 extended to various lengths to illustrate as three examples, a first height above the floor, a second height, and a third height indicated by the dotted lines as Level 1, Level 1, and Level 3. It should be noted that, in practice, the three illustrative positions above the floor just described may be infinite within the minimum retracted length, and maximum extended length of the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104.
The opposed ends of the exercise machine 600 may be tilted up or tilted down relative to the opposed end, and the exercise machine 600 may be further rotated about the longitudinal axis of the exercise machine 600 by extending, retracting, or maintaining in a static position the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 relative to one another.
In the table of exercise planes 508, various positions of the exercise machine 600 relative to the horizontal plane are shown. For example, to change the plane of the exercise machine 600 from the default position indicated by the row beginning with the number 0, to a new plane wherein the front left corner is lifted up relative to the back right corner of the machine, the actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 would be positioned as indicated in the row beginning with the number 3. To achieve this position, actuator 101 would remain at the default position of Level 1, actuators 102, 103, would be extended until the ends distal to the base support structure 100 were positioned at Level 2, and actuator 104 would be extended until the end distal to the base support structure 100 was positioned at Level 3. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 may move simultaneously so as not to induce unwanted torsion, compression or tensile stresses on the exercise machine 600 structure.
For efficiency, every possible relative position of the four actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 are not described, for doing so would be burdensome, however, those skilled in the art, while following the positions of the four actuators 101, 102, 103, 104 to achieve the seven illustrative positions described in the table of exercise planes 508, will appreciate the substantially large number of exercise planes possible with the systems and methods described herein.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the exercise machine, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The exercise machine may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/153,471 filed on Jan. 12, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. Application Ser. No. 17/113,306 filed on Dec. 7, 2020 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,554,288, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/854,242 filed on Dec. 26, 2017 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,857,418, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/438,542 filed Dec. 23, 2016. Each of the aforementioned patent applications, and any applications related thereto, is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62438542 | Dec 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18153471 | Jan 2023 | US |
| Child | 18518049 | US | |
| Parent | 17113306 | Dec 2020 | US |
| Child | 18153471 | US | |
| Parent | 15854242 | Dec 2017 | US |
| Child | 17113306 | US |
