TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to nail clippers and nail care accessories.
BACKGROUND
Nail care products, particularly those for use in trimming and filing fingernails and toenails, are varied and ubiquitous. Nail clippers and emery boards can be found in millions of filing cabinets and purses. A common design of nail clippers includes a single lever attached to a post extending from a bottom plate and through a top plate. The lever includes a protrusion for urging the top plate toward the bottom plate as the top plate slides along the post. Such nail clippers often include a swing-out metal nail file for nail filing. There have been countless variations on this basic design with varying results. While the design is simple and effective at trimming nails, debris from such trimming often ends up bouncing off a bathroom wall or sliding across the floor. Further, for cutting thick nails the design can prove vexing, with the user having too little leverage to achieve satisfactory results.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further details of the present invention are explained with the help of the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1A is a side view of a nail clipper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1B is a front view of the nail clipper of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 1C is a cross-section of an actuation mechanism of the nail clipper of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 1D is a cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the actuation mechanism of the nail clipper of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 1E is a cross-section of still another embodiment of the actuation mechanism of the nail clipper of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 1F is a cross-section of still another embodiment of the actuation mechanism of the nail clipper of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2A is top view of a nail clipper in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention having angled cutting blades;
FIG. 2B is a top view of the nail clipper of FIG. 2A in use;
FIG. 2C is a top view of a nail clipper having non-angled cutting blades in use;
FIG. 3A is a side view of a nail clipper in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention having an actuation mechanism without a link plate;
FIG. 3B is a side view of a nail clipper in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention having levers with fingerloops;
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a nail clipper in accordance with a still further embodiment of the present invention having extended link plates to limit shifting of cutting blades and to retain clippings;
FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the nail clipper of FIG. 4A illustrating a cut-out formed in one of the link plates through which nail clippings can be discarded;
FIG. 5A is a partially exploded perspective view of a nail care system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention including the nail clipper of FIG. 4 partially disposed within a housing, in which is further disposed a nail buffer;
FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the nail care system of FIG. 5A as assembled;
FIG. 5C is a perspective view of a nail care system of FIG. 5A wherein the nail clipper is removed from the housing; and
FIG. 5D is a partial cut-away perspective view of the nail care system of FIG. 5A showing an embodiment of a latch mechanism for retaining a nail clipper within the housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1A is a side view of a nail clipper in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The nail clipper 101 includes an upper member 106 and a lower member 108 positioned between an upper lever 102 and a lower lever 104. Some components of the nail clipper are referred to herein as “upper” and “lower” components; however, positional modifiers are attached merely to distinguish between similar components and are not meant to limit use of the invention. As should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, nail clippers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be operated by a user in any position that the user desires, so that the upper member can be physically positioned below the lower member when operated, for example. Upper and lower components can alternatively be referred to as first and second components.
A proximal end of the upper member 106 forms or is connected with an upper cutting blade 110. Likewise, a proximal end of the lower member 108 forms or is connected with a lower cutting blade 112. The upper and lower cutting blades 110,112 are arranged in opposition to one another so that when the upper and lower members 106,108 are urged together, the upper and lower cutting blades 110,112 pinch together, cutting a fingernail or toenail when placed between the cutting blades 110,112. In the embodiment shown, the upper member 106 and the lower member 108 comprise a single leaf spring placed in tension by bending the leaf spring over itself. However, the upper member 106 and the lower member 108 need not be formed as shown. In other embodiments, the upper member 106 and the lower member 108 can comprise two separate leaf springs connected with one another at distal ends opposite the cutting blades 110,112. The members 106,108 and cutting blades 110,112 can be made from chrome-plated steel, stainless steel, or some other material having similar properties.
As can be seen in FIGS. 1A-1C, the upper member 106 and the lower member 108 are held under tension by banding the upper member 106 and the lower member 108 with an actuation mechanism 103. The actuation mechanism 103 includes the upper lever 102 pivotally connected with a first link plate 122 and a second link plate 123, and the lower lever 104 likewise pivotally connected with the first link plate 122 and the second link plate 123. As shown in the frontal view of FIG. 1B and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1C (taken through the actuation mechanism 103 of FIG. 1A), the upper lever 102 includes a first upper flange 124 and a second upper flange 125, each flange protruding from the upper lever 102 so that the upper flanges 124,125 straddle the upper member 106. Likewise, the lower lever 104 includes a first lower flange 126 and a second lower flange 127, each lower flange 126,127 protruding from the lower lever 104 so that the lower flanges 126,127 straddle the lower member 108. As shown, the flanges 124-127 are positioned between the first link plate 122 and the second link plate 123. The link plates 122,123 can be arranged in such fashion so that the motion of the upper member 106 and the lower member 108 is unimpeded during actuation. Where the link plates 122,123 of FIG. 1C are alternatively positioned between the flanges 124-127, the actuated member 106,108 can contact the edge of the link plate 122,123, impeding movement of the members 106,108.
Each flange 124-127 is pivotally connected with the respective link plate 122,123 by a pin 114-117, or alternatively some other fastener. As shown, the pins 114-117 protrude slightly inward from the inner surface of the flange 124-127 and can limit the range of motion of the member 106,108 when actuated. The required range of motion of the members 106,108 during actuation is dependent on a gap between the upper cutting blade 110 and the lower cutting blade 112 when at rest. Where a greater range of motion is desired, the flanges 124-127 can be countersunk so that the pins 114-117 do not significantly extend or protrude from the inner surfaces of the flanges 124-127. Alternatively, the pins 124-127 can be integrally formed or fixedly connected with corresponding flanges 124-127, as shown in FIG. 1D. In still other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1E, the link plate 122,123 can be connected with an inner surface of the respective flanges 124-127 where the flanges 124-127 are cut to receive the link plate 122,123 so that an inner surface of each of the link plates 122,123 is substantially flush with an inner surface of the flanges 124-127. In still further embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1F, a first flange 124,126 and a corresponding second flange 125,127 can be connected with the first link plate 122 and the second link plate 123 by a single pin 118,120 where the required range of motion of the first and second members 106,108 is sufficiently small (i.e., where the gap between the first cutting blade 110 and second cutting blade 112 is less than 2×d). Many different designs for pivotally fixing an upper and lower lever 102,104 with a first and second link plate 122,123 can be employed, for example with an eye towards aesthetics, and/or an emphasis on reducing manufacturing costs. The examples provided in FIGS. 1C-1F are meant to demonstrate a small sample of such varying solutions and are not intended to be limiting. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the myriad different ways of pivotally connecting the upper lever 102 and the lower lever 104 with a first link plate 122 and a second link plate 123 so that the upper member 106 and lower member 108 are banded by the actuation mechanism 103.
Referring again to FIG. 1A, the upper lever 102 also includes an upper cam 132 integrally formed or connected with the upper lever 102 and abutting the upper member 106. Likewise, the lower lever 104 also includes a lower cam 134 integrally formed or connected with the lower lever 104 and abutting the lower member 108. When the levers 102,104 are actuated, the levers 102,104 pivot about the pivot points associated with the first and second link plates 122,123 and the consequent pivoting of the upper and lower cams 132,134 urges the members 106,108 together, and by extension causes the cutting blades 110,112 to pinch together. As used herein, a cam can include a curved wedge or other protrusion, movable about an axis, used for forcing or clamping two pieces together. In other embodiments, the upper cam 132 and lower cam 134 need not be integrally formed or connected with the upper lever 102 and lower lever 104, respectively. Alternatively, the upper cam 132 and lower cam 134 can be integrally formed or connected with the upper member 106 and lower member 108, respectively. In such embodiments, when the levers 102,104 are actuated the levers 102,104 pivot about the pivot points associated with the first and second link plates 122,123 and slidably push against the upper and lower cams 132,134 of the upper and lower member 106,108 to urge the members 106,108 together, and by extension cause the cutting blades 110,112 to pinch together.
As shown, the upper and lower levers 102,104 extend away from the upper and lower members 106,108 respectively, each at a roughly thirty degree angle relative to the plane of symmetry of the nail clipper 101 so that the levers 102,104 fan out away from the cutting blades 110,112. This arrangement of the upper and lower levers 102,104 provides leverage when a user actuates the levers 102,104, although in other embodiments the levers 102,104 need not extend away from the plane of symmetry at a roughly thirty degree angle. Each lever 102,104 can optionally include a bent portion 170,172 to ease grasping of the levers 102,104 by a user. A thumb or finger can be positioned at the bent portion 170,172, making grasping and actuating the levers 102,104 less awkward. Further, a portion of the levers 102,104 can be knurled or otherwise textured, or the levers 102,104 can include a coating or sleeve made from rubber, latex, foam, or some other material for reducing slippage, and thereby easing handling and use of the nail clipper 101. The levers 102,104 can be shaped as desired, for example, to suit aesthetic tastes or alternatively to suit ergonomic considerations, or to suit a combination of desired qualities. It should be noted that the levers 102,104, and indeed other components of the nail clipper 101, need not be symmetrical in shape. An axis of symmetry 160 of the nail clipper 101 provides a reference for describing embodiments of the invention and its use is not meant to imply that embodiments need necessarily be symmetrical.
Referring again to FIG. 1B, in one embodiment the cutting blades 110,112 can have an arced shape along the plane of symmetry 160, for example similar to a shape of the end of a finger or a toe. The arced shape can cut a fingernail or toenail so that the nail conforms more closely to a contour of the finger or toe. Such a shape can be advantageous in that it can reduce a time required to trim nails to a shape conforming to that of the end of the finger or toe. In other embodiments, nail clippers in accordance with the present invention can have cutting blades 110,112 having some other shape. For example, where the nail clipper 101 is intended to be used to trim the claws of an animal, such as a dog or cat, the cutting blades 110,112 can be shaped to conform to the general shape of the claw, or a portion of the claw. Alternatively, where some other shape is desired, or more useful, such a shape can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the cutting blades 210,212 can be shaped such that the cutting blades 210,212 are substantially symmetrical about, or bisected by, a blade axis 262 that forms an oblique angle to the axis of symmetry 160 of the nail clipper 201, so that the nail clipper 201 can be used at an angle more comfortable to the user (i.e., requiring less severe positioning of a user's hand relative to the fingernail to be cut, as shown in FIG. 2B, as opposed to FIG. 2C). A substantially symmetrical design of the actuation mechanism 103 allows a nail clipper 201 having such a cutting blade design to be used with either hand simply by flipping the nail clipper 201. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the myriad shapes with which the cutting blades 210,212 can be formed.
As mentioned above, while nail clippers have been described in detail in FIGS. 1A-2A, embodiments of nail clippers in accordance with the present invention can include many different component shapes and arrangements. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the actuation mechanism 303 can comprise an upper lever 302 pivotally connected with the lower lever 304, rather than pivotally connected with a link plate. In still other embodiments, the upper and lower levers 302,304 can have a shape other than as described in the figures above. For example, in FIG. 3B the upper lever 302 and lower lever 304 include finger-loops 374,376 to reduce slippage when using the nail clipper 301. In still further embodiments, the levers can include a hinge or other feature for collapsing the levers to minimize the size of the nail clipper for easy storage. One of ordinary skill in the arts will appreciate the myriad shapes with which the levers 302,304 can be formed.
As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4A, a nail clipper 401 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention for use with nail care systems in accordance with the present invention can include an upper member 406 and a lower member 408 positioned between an actuation mechanism 403, the upper and lower member 406,408 comprising individual leaf springs connected at a distal end. As above, the actuation mechanism 403 can include an upper lever 102 and a lower lever 104, each pivotally connected with a first link plate 422 and a second link plate 423. However, the first link plate 422 and second link plate 423 extend a substantial portion of the length of the upper and lower members 406,408. Further, the first link plate 422 and second link plate 423 can include a bend 464 corresponding to a narrow portion of the upper and lower members 406,408. During actuation an actuation force is applied to the upper and lower members 406,408 urging the upper and lower members 406,408 together. A portion of the actuation force can be transferred laterally, causing the upper and lower members 406,408 to shift along the axis of symmetry 160. The bend 464, and a narrow portion of the link plates 422,423 located distally of the bend 464 block the upper and lower members 406,408 so that backward movement of the upper and lower members 406,408 relative to the link plates 422,423 (and the actuation mechanism 403) along the axis of symmetry 160 is limited. Still further, the upper and lower members 406,408 can include slots 409 for receiving the flanges 124-127 of the upper and lower levers 102,104. Thus the flanges 124-127 of the upper and lower levers 102,104 are recessed relative to the lateral edges of the upper and lower members 406,408. Consequently, the first and second link plates 422,423 abut the upper and lower members 406,408. The nail clipper 401 thereby forms a container for receiving nail clippings ejected away from the finger or toe. Nail clippers in accordance with the prior art typically connect an arm to a clipper body by a post positioned perpendicular to the cutting blades. The post can deflect ejected nails out of the nail clipper, leaving debris sometimes unaccounted for (until found with much embarrassment by someone other than the user). As can be seen in FIG. 1A-4B, the upper and lower members 406,408 can include significant curvature and a narrow gap between cutting blades 110,112 so that nail clippings are prevented from falling out of the nail clipper 401, even when tilted at a slight angle. The inside surface of the upper and lower member 406,408 can further be textured so that nail clippings tend to not slide within the container unless shaken and/or tilted at a severe angle.
Referring to FIG. 4B, the second link plate 423 (or alternatively the first link plate 422) can include a cut-out 411 or other opening for emptying nail clippings captured in the container. As will be described in detail below, the nail clippings are prevented from ejecting out of the cut-out 411 by the wall of a housing in which the nail clipper 401 can be disposed. Alternatively, the second link plate 423 can include a removable cover (not shown), the cover being removably attachable via myriad different arrangements. For example, such a cover can include one or more magnets along a periphery of the cover, the cover being magnetically attachable to the second link plate 423 (where at least the second link plate 423 is made from magnetic material) so that the cut-out is sealed. Alternatively, an arrangement can comprise a second link plate 423 having a groove along the upper and lower edge of the second link plate 423 for slidably receiving a cover having a corresponding lip along the upper and lower edges of the cover. Myriad different cover designs can be employed where a cover is desired.
As can be seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a first catch 460 and a second catch 462 can be connected with the nail clipper 401. For example, in one embodiment the first and second catch 460,462 can be connected with the first and second link plate 422,423, respectively. The first and second catch 460,462 can be received by a latch mechanism 570 (shown in FIG. 5D) within a housing of a nail care system (described below) so that the nail clipper 401 can be selectably fixed in position, disposed within the housing. As shown, the catches 460,462 protrude from the distal end of the nail clipper 401. In other embodiments, the nail clipper 401 can include some other device for selectably fixing a nail clipper 401 within the housing of a nail care system. For example, the distal end of the first and second members 406,408 can include a notch for receiving a latch mechanism 570 associated with the housing. Myriad different arrangements can be employed to selectably fix a nail clipper 401 within a housing.
Referring to FIGS. 5A-5D, a nail care system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can include a housing 540, a nail clipper 401 disposed within a portion of the housing 540, and a nail filer 541 connected with the housing 540. The nail clipper 401 can be removably connected with the housing 540 by sliding the nail clipper 401 into a cavity 560 within the housing 540 accessible through an opening at a proximal end of the housing 540. The cutting blades 110,112 protrude from the proximal end of the housing 540, and the cutting blades 110,112 and the levers 102,104 are accessible to the user. In the embodiment shown, the walls of the housing 540 cover the container of the nail clipper 401 formed by the link plates 422,423, and can further extend a small distance such that when the cutting blades 110,112 are pinched together, the container is substantially (though not necessarily completely) sealed, so that ejected nail clipping are directed into the container. As described above, the cut-out 411 formed in one of the first and second link plates 422,423 can be blocked by the housing 540. When the user desires to empty nail clippings from the container, the user can tilt the housing 540 so that the nail clippings shift away from the cut-out, remove the nail clipper 401 from the housing 540, and shake the nail clippings out through the cut-out 411 and into a trash bin, for example.
As mentioned above, the nail clipper 401 can be selectably fixed in position, disposed within the housing 540 by a latch mechanism 570. When the nail clipper 401 is slid into a desired position within the housing 540 the latch mechanism 570 can engage the nail clipper 401, holding the nail clipper 401 in place. The nail clipper 401 can be subsequently released by pressing a release mechanism 552 associated with the latch mechanism 570 and accessible (or actuatable) from outside of the housing 540. The release mechanism 552 can be mechanically or electrically connected with the latch mechanism 570 such that when the release mechanism 552 is activated, the latch mechanism 570 releases the nail clipper 401. The release mechanism 552 as shown is a button positioned along the side of the housing 540. As can be seen in the partial cut-away perspective view of FIG. 5D, the latch mechanism 570 in an embodiment can be a spring biased device having a pair of ramped latches 572 for capturing the first and second catches 460,462 of the nail clipper 401. As shown, two springs 574 are each associated with respective posts 576. When the nail clipper 401 is loaded into the housing 540, the catches 460,462 contact the ramps of the latches 572 and can overcome the force of the springs 574 to travel up the ramps and into position, captured by the latches 572. When the catches 460,462 clear the latches 572, the springs 574 force the latch mechanism 570 back into a biased position, and the travel of the catches 460,462 in the direction of removal is blocked by the latches 572. Further travel of the nail clipper 401 along the direction of insertion can be blocked by the housing 540. As shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, when the button 552 is pressed by a user the springs 574 are again overcome and the latches 572 are repositioned so that the latches 572 no longer block the catches 460,462 allowing the nail clipper 401 to be removed from the cavity 560 disposed within the housing 540. Once the nail clipper 401 has been separated from the housing 540, any nail clippings 562 collected within the chamber 411 can be disposed of. While the latch mechanism 570 and release mechanism 552 have been described in detail, in other embodiments, some other mechanism for retaining and/or releasing the nail clipper 401 within the housing 540 can be used. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the myriad different devices for selectably retaining a nail clipper 401 at least partially within a housing 540.
The housing 540 can be fabricated from any number of materials or combinations of materials, including but not limited to metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel) and thermoformable plastic (e.g., high density polyethylene). As such, the housing 540 can be formed by extrusion, casting, molding, machining, etc., or some combination of manufacturing processes. As can be further seen in FIG. 5A, in one embodiment the housing 540 can be shaped to conform with a shape of the levers 102,104. A bend associated with the levers 102,104 can fit with a curve of the housing 540 when the levers 102,104 are actuated. In other embodiments, the housing 540 can have some other shape. For example, the housing 540 can be whimsically shaped, shaped to resemble a pop-culture icon, or shaped to resemble a product trademark, for example. The housing 540 can be formed in any number of shapes, provided that a shape of the housing 540 does not interfere with the use of the nail clipper 401. The shape of the housing 540 can be based on a number of factors including (but not limited to) aesthetics, manufacturing cost, or intended market. Further, the shape of the housing 540 can be chosen based on the size of the nail clipper 401, and the size of the cutting blades 110,112 of the nail clipper 401 (which can vary based on application), and/or on the application itself. For example, where the nail care system 500 is intended for use in grooming dogs, the housing 540 can be shaped like a dog bone or a popular cartoon beagle. As mentioned above, the levers 102,104 can likewise have some other shape, so that, for example, an overall shape of the nail care system 500 invokes a desired image to a viewer. In the example where the housing 540 is a popular cartoon beagle, the levers can be shaped to resemble the beagle's floppy ears. Likewise, the release mechanism can be incorporated into the shape of the housing 540.
As mentioned, the nail care system 500 can further include a nail filer 541 comprising a nail filer housing 542 and a motorized, rotatable file 546. The rotatable file 546 can include a surface having a roughness and/or texture so that a portion of the rotatable file 546 provides a surface for filing nails, or multiple roughnesses and/or textures so that a portion of the rotatable file 546 provides a surface for filing nails while a portion of the rotatable file 546 provides a surface for buffing nails. For example, in one embodiment the rotatable file 546 can have a first portion near a proximal end of the rotatable file 546 including a coarse surface texture for filing a nail, and a second portion near a distal end of the rotatable file 546 including a fine surface texture for buffing the nail (or vice-versa). In other embodiments, the rotatable file 546 can be supplanted by, or interchangeable with, a rotatable buffer having a surface suitable for nail buffing. For example, the nail care system 500 can include both a rotatable file 546 and a rotatable buffer (not shown), interchangeable by removing one and replacing with the other. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the myriad different arrangements of a rotatable device for treating nails. The rotatable file 546 can extend from a distal end of the nail filer housing 542. A cap 538 can fit over the rotatable file 546 when the nail filer 541 is not in use. The cap 538 can be fitted by, for example, snapping the cap 538 over a portion of the nail filer housing 542 in an interference fit, or by mating threads of the cap 538 with threads of the nail filer housing 542 and screwing the cap 538 together with the nail filer housing 542, or by some other method. A motor 543 extends from the proximal end of the nail filer housing 542. The motor 543 can be encased in a motor housing 544 so that the motor 543 is inaccessible when the nail filer 541 is detached from the housing 540. Where a motor housing 544 is used, the motor housing 544 can be connected with, or integrally formed with the nail filer housing 542.
In some embodiments, the motor housing 544 (or motor 543) can include a notch 548 corresponding to a notch in the housing 540 (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, the motor housing 544 (or motor 543) can include threads for mating with corresponding threads of the housing 540. When the nail filer 541 is connected with the housing 540, the motor 543 is disposed within a cavity of the housing 540. The nail filer 541 is fixedly connected with the housing 540 by sliding the motor housing 544 into the cavity so that the notches are aligned (where notches are used). Once the motor housing 544 is seated, the nail filer 541 can be rotated to lock the nail filer 541 in position. Where the motor housing 544 is threaded, the motor housing 544 can be inserted into the cavity until the threads of the motor housing 544 contact threads of the housing 540. Thereafter, the nail filer 541 is rotated until the motor housing 544 is fully seated. One or more batteries (not shown) for powering the motor 543 can be disposed within a cavity connected with the cavity for receiving the motor housing 544. The one or more batteries are placed, replaced, or removed from the cavity by first detaching or removing the nail filer 541 from the housing 540, placing the one or more batteries into the cavities, orienting the batteries so that the proper contacts are aligned, and then resealing the cavity with the nail filer 541.
An activation mechanism can be connected with the housing 540, or alternatively with the nail filer housing 542 to activate the rotatable file 546. As shown in FIG. 5A, the activation mechanism is a two-way switch 550, allowing the user to activate the motor 543 to rotate the rotatable file 546 in either rotational direction (i.e., clockwise and counter-clockwise). The user can rotate the rotatable file 546 in the appropriate rotational direction so that the file rotates with the grain of the nail, rather than against the grain of the nail. Such an arrangement can provide for a superior grooming result, used properly, when compared with a file applied against the grain of the nail. The two-way switch 550 rocks forward and backward to rotate the rotatable file 546 as shown by arrows on the two-way switch 550 illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In other embodiments, two distinct buttons can be used—one button for selecting each direction of rotation. In still other embodiments, a single button can be used for rotating the rotatable file 546 in a single direction. In still further embodiments, some other activation mechanism can be used, such as a slide, a knob, or a wheel, for example. The rotation direction and rotation speed of the rotatable file 546 can be controlled, or alternatively the rotation direction alone, or rotation speed alone of the rotatable file 546 can be controlled. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the myriad different ways in which a rotatable file 546 can be activated and the myriad ways in which the activation mechanism can be incorporated into a nail care system 500 having a nail clipper 401. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention are not intended to be limited in scope to those examples provided.
The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
Patent Application
20060042092
