Patent Application
20110289799
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to sport or athletic shoes. According to an example, the shoes are constructed to provide a damping action and minimize impact shock as well as increase stability and support. More particularly, one or more examples of the present invention relate to a ground engaging system including a plurality of cushioning elements projecting downward from an undersurface of an outsole to reduce the impact force transferred to the user.
2. Description of the Related Art
In most types of footwear, especially athletic shoes, an outsole is attached to the midsole and is generally designed to resist wear and provide traction. The midsole is designed primarily to provide stability for the foot while attenuating shock. When running and walking, generally the foot makes initial contact with the ground surface on the lateral portion of the rearfoot area. At initial contact, runners typically strike the ground at a force of 2.5 times their body weight, which may be repeated at a rate of 180 times per minute (90 per each foot). Therefore, the heel strike cushioning portion of the shoe should have a firmness to provide for proper impact cushioning.
The modern athletic shoe is a combination of elements, which cooperatively interact in an effort to minimize weight and maximize comfort, cushioning, stability and durability. The cushioning in most athletic shoes is supplied through the foam midsole that can be made from either ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane. These materials provide ample cushioning when they are new, but lose some of the cushioning ability over time due to failure of the structured materials by the application of shear and vertical forces applied to them. The shoe industry trend has been toward thickening the midsoles of athletic shoes to enhance the cushioning effect of the sole. An added thickness of foam, however, can cause the sole to have increased stiffness in bending. Under these conditions, the lateral corner of the sole can tend to operate as a fulcrum upon heel strike and create an extended lever arm and greater moment, which can cause the foot to rotate medially and pronate with greater velocity than desired. This can lead to over-pronation of the foot and possible injury. Further, this condition can present a potentially unstable condition for the foot and result in the transmission of higher than desired levels of impact stress due to the relatively small surface area of contact.
According to an aspect of the invention, it has been recognized that prior shoe designs suffer from one or more disadvantages including poor lateral support, not completely absorbing an impact, and designs that cause over-pronation of the foot and possible injury.
The present invention relates to improved shoes that address the competing concerns of cushioning and stability with the ground support phase of running and walking in at least one of the heel strike area and the forefoot area in order to minimize stresses and strains on the wearer.
A shoe according to an example of the invention provides improved shock absorption upon heel strike without relying on soft midsoles to obtain the needed shock absorption during both the initial heel impact and the forefoot impact during running and walking.
According to an example, the invention pertains to athletic footwear used for running and walking. More specifically, an example pertains to athletic shoe constructions designed to attenuate applied force and shock, and to provide support and stability during running and walking. In one example, the invention utilizes at least the ground engaging region of the outsole of a shoe to provide increased shock absorption upon impact, while transitioning into stability and support during running and walking.
In one example, the athletic footwear includes an upper, a midsole, and an outsole attached to the upper. According to an improvement, the sole of the shoe includes one or more tube structures as part of a ground contacting system, which extend substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shoe. In an example, the one or more tubes form three dimensional deformable elements as part of the outsole and act to cushion foot impact, dissipate energy, and reduce the force transferred to the user.
The one or more tube portions in an example of the invention are designed to deform both vertically, e.g. compress substantially perpendicular to the ground surface toward the foot, and horizontally, e.g. shear or deform in a plane substantially parallel to the ground surface. As such, the one or more tubes dissipate the force of the foot impact and therefore minimize the force transferred to the user, which results in reduced overall stress and strain on at least a wearer's feet, ankles, shins, knees, back and joints.
As an example of the invention, the one or more tubes can extend different lengths across the width of the shoe. For example, a shoe can have a first tube formed in a heel area of the shoe that extends from a medial side of the shoe to a lateral side of the shoe. Adjacent the first tube for example, the shoe can have a tube that extends from either the medial and/or lateral side of the shoe to a middle portion of the shoe, but not completely across the shoe.
One or more embodiments of the invention provides for having one or more of the tubes with different shapes and sizes and made from different materials. As not all areas of the outsole are subjected to the same forces at impact, shoes of one or more embodiments are designed to have tube portions of a different size, shape, and/or material provided at various positions on the outsole to reduce the impact felt by the user and maximize support and performance.
In an example, a shoe can have one or more tubes that deform in a substantially horizontal, vertical, and/or lateral direction. In an example, one or more tubes can be designed to primarily deform in only one of the horizontal, vertical and lateral directions.
In one or more embodiments, the deformation characteristics of the tubes formed in the heel area can be the same or different from deformation characteristics of the tubes formed in the forefoot area of the shoe. The heel strike cushioning portion of the shoe should have a firmness to provide for proper impact cushioning, therefore, the one or more tubes formed in the heel should have adequate shock absorbing characteristic, and therefore should be able to at least partially vertically deform. The heel region tubes could also undergo significant horizontal deformation and therefore, could be designed to distort substantially horizontally as well as vertically.
In one or more examples of the invention, the cushioning elements are formed by an upwardly curved portion of a bottom surface of the outsole. Downwardly curved regions of the outsole are formed opposite the upwardly curved regions to thereby form the cushioning elements hereinafter discussed as tubes. In an example, one or more tubes can have any desirable shape, for example, substantially circular or oval shape, prior to deformation.
In a further example of the invention, a shoe can have tubes formed in the heel, middle, and/or forefoot portion of the shoe. In an example, a longitudinal axis of one or more tubes located in the heel portion can be oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shoe. In a further example, one or more tubes can be formed in the heel area so that a longitudinal axis of the tube is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe. Any desirable angle between the longitudinal axis of one or more tubes and the longitudinal axis of the shoe, for example substantially forty-five degrees, is within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In a further example, tubes adjacent each other from a medial side of the shoe having an open end facing outwardly are formed continuously around the heel portion of the shoe to the lateral side of the shoe.
As an example of the invention, the one or more tubes members can have a varying wall thickness along the length of the tube. In a further example, one or more tubes can vary in thickness in the width direction of the tube.
A difference in wall thickness for one or more tubes can be based on which area of the shoe will be subject to higher impact forces. In an example, the wall thickness of the tube members in the rear or heel portion of the shoe is thicker than the wall thickness of the tube members closer to the forefoot portion of the shoe.
Embodiments of the present invention have a plurality of tubes adjacent to each other and extending transversely between the lateral side edge to the medial side edge of the midsole such that a longitudinal axis of the one or more tubes are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shoe.
In one or more examples, an interior of one or more tubes can include projections extending along a longitudinal axis of the tube and/or transverse to the longitudinal axis. In a preferred embodiment, the projections are provided on each of an upper interior surface and a lower interior surface.
In an example, a lower surface of the outsole is made from a hard material, such as plastic, which covers one end of one or more tubes and may extend a distance within the one or more tubes.
In an alternative embodiment, a ground engaging surface of the one or more of the tubes can be provided with projections, for example raised cleats that increase the wall thickness in selected areas and provide traction and durability.
As should be apparent, the invention can provide a number of advantageous features and benefits. It is to be understood that in practicing the invention, an embodiment can be constructed to include one or more features or benefits of embodiments disclosed herein, but not others. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the preferred embodiments discussed herein are provided as examples and are not be construed as limiting, particularly since embodiments can be formed to practice the invention that do not include each of the features of the disclosed examples.
The invention will be better understood from reading the description which follows and from examining the accompanying figures. These are provided solely as non-limiting examples of the invention. In the drawings:
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference characters will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
The tubes 14 of this invention preferably include at least one tube 14 capable of undergoing distortion in at least one of three independent directions in response to an applied force. The tubes 14 are associated with regions of the outsole that carry the load associated with foot impact and standing. For example, the tubes 14 located in the heel and/or forefoot region of the shoe 10 are configured to deform both vertically and horizontally. In this way, the force that is transmitted to the wearer's foot and other body structures such as muscles and tendons, is reduced as well as the stress and strain on the joints. The tubes 14 provided in the heel are made from a material, for example rubber, that will allow the one or more tubes 14 to act like a spring due to the compression of the tube 14 and the elasticity of the material.
The tubes 14 can be provided that have material, layers, shape, size, location, density, and/or other characteristics that can be different from other tubes in one or more positions of the outsole 13 so that a shoe 10 can be provided that will offer the user a desired performance and stability characteristic as well as cushioning that will dissipate the force of the foot impact and minimize the force transferred to the user. Described herein are tubes 14 which are disposed along the outsole 13 of a shoe. The one or more tubes 14 provide both cushioning and energy return without adversely affecting the overall stability characteristics of the shoe. Accordingly, material selected for the tubes should be material having characteristics, which can affect the overall performance of the shoe.
According to embodiments of the invention, the outsole 13 can include one or more tubes 14 provided along any portion of the outsole 13, for example, along an outer edge and/or in a middle portion of the outsole 13 substantially along a longitudinal axis of the shoe 10. In one or more examples of the invention, the tubes are formed by an upwardly curved portion of a bottom surface of the outsole. Downwardly curved regions are provided opposite the upwardly curved regions to thereby together form the tubes. The upwardly and downwardly curved regions form the tubes 14 that can have a substantially circular or oval shape. In an example, the curved or oval shape can be seen on at least an end of the tube 14 facing to the outside of the shoe 10. In embodiments of the invention, the tubes 14 can have the same or different shape along the length of the tube 14.
In an example, an outwardly facing end of one or more tubes is circular or oval while at least a portion along a length of the tubes 14 is approximately the shape of a half tube. That is, the tubes 14 can be formed as full tubes that extends along at least part of the outsole 13 of the shoe 10 or be formed as part of a semicircle extending along at least part of the outsole 13. However, the tubes 14 can be any desirable size and shape.
For example, the tubes 14 incorporate an approximately 360 degree configuration. In an example, the tubes are formed as a circumference of a circle. A further example provides for a configuration of the tube to be provided as a portion of a complete circle, for example 180 degrees. It should be appreciated that the tubes 14 of one or more examples of the invention can be any desirable size and shape, for example circular or oval, as well as having partially circular and/or partially substantially planar regions.
In one or more examples of the invention, the lower surface of the tube 14 is curved upwardly at least substantially the length of the tube 14. Therefore, a cross section of the curved lower surface would form an arc that extends in a lengthwise direction of the shoe 10. In a further example, the upper inner surface of the tube 14 can curve from the end of the tube 14 that faces away from the shoe downwardly and then continue curving along at least part of its length towards the end of the tube facing a middle region 15 of the shoe 10. That is, a cross section of the upper surface would form an arc at least along a portion of its length with the arc extending along a widthwise direction of the shoe. As discussed herein, the cross section formed by one or both of the upper and lower surfaces does not have to form a continuous arc and can include at least substantially linear cross sectional regions.
The tubes 14 can be made from an elastic material, such as rubber or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Further, the tubes 14 can be provided immediately adjacent each other or can be spaced apart. Additionally, the spacing between the tubes 14 can be the same or different between tubes 14 provided next to each other.
When the shoe 10 comes in contact with a firm surface, the one or more tubes which generally have a curved exterior ground contacting surface, will deflect or compress partially upon impact to absorb shock. As discussed herein, the amount of deflection or compression of the one or more tubes 14 can be derived from the firmness of the material used for the tube member 14 as well as other variables, such as spacing between tubes 14, size of tubes 14, orientation of the tube 14, location of tubes 14 on the outsole, and/or the wall thickness of the tube member 14. For example, when impact forces are applied to the tubes, the tubes are compressed and are therefore no longer have their original shape. Further, material between the tubes is compressed. This compression in turn can help to resist further compression of the tube since the more the tube is compressed the more difficult it is to compress the tube further. In an example, the tubes 14 are spaced apart sufficiently such that upon distortion and compression, the tubes do not come into contact with each other. In this way, changes in the cushioning effect can be avoided and a substantially constant pressure gradient through the thickness of the tubes and outsole can be achieved. Of course, further examples of the invention allow for the tubes in the partially compressed or uncompressed state to contact each other.
In the example shown in
Further, in one or more examples of the invention, it should be appreciated that the tubes 14 that are located on the lateral 19 and medial 18 sides of the shoe 10 do not have to be located directly across the width of the shoe from each other or oriented at the same angle as each other, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shoe 10. For example, the tube located closest to the back heel end 17 of the shoe 10 on the medial side 18 of the shoe can be closer to the back heel end 17 of the shoe than the rearmost tube located on the lateral 19 side of the shoe. Of course, either tube can be located rearmost on the shoe 10 according to design and/or performance requirements and desires.
In the example of
In an embodiment, the internal region of one or more tubes 14 can have planar regions in addition to curved regions. For example, a planar region can be formed along a lower interior surface of the tube substantially parallel to a ground surface that the shoe will contact. Instead of or in addition to the lower interior surface, the upper interior surface of the tube 14 can be substantially planar.
In an example of the invention, the material that forms the ground engaging surface and surrounding portions of the tubes 14 can be the same or a different material that makes up the remaining portions of the tube 14. As shown in the figures, an upper surface 20 in an interior region of the tubes 14 can be formed by a surface of the outsole 13. The upper surface 20 of the outsole 13 formed in the tubes 14 can be curved or planar and be the same shape as or different from the remaining portions of the interior of the tube 14.
As shown in the figures, one or more of the tubes 14 can be formed as substantially a circle or oval at a peripheral edge of the tube 14 facing an exterior of the shoe. In an example, the tube 14 is formed of the same material around a complete circumference of the tube 14. Along a length of the tube 14 extending towards the center portion 15 of the shoe 10, a bottom half of tube 14 can be formed of the material that forms the ground engaging surface, and a top half of the tube can be made from material that forms a lower portion of a lower surface of the outsole. That is, the material forming the ground engaging portion of the tube 14 can form approximately one half of a tube, for example the bottom half, and the outsole portion made of a same or different material can form the other half, for example the upper half. In an example of the invention, when the lower half is made from rubber, a substantial majority of the upper half can be made substantially from TPU or foam. During use and after impact, the forces applied to the tubes are removed. The material chosen for at least the lower half of the tube should have good memory characteristics and therefore readily return to the original configuration. Because the material of the tubes 14 has been compressed, a force is generated in the compressed material to help the tubes 14 return to their original shape, which in turn helps return energy to the wearer.
One or more embodiments include an inner support surface extending along the top and/or bottom portion of the tube to support the top and/or bottom of the tube. In an example, the inner support surface can be made from the same or similar material as the material forming the top and/or bottom half. In this way, the top and/or bottom half of the tube 14 can be supported by the inner support surface.
In the example of
In a further example of the invention, the shoe shown in
An embodiment includes at least one tube 23 that extends a different length across the bottom of the shoe 10 than any of the other tubes 14. For example, the tube 23 located closest to the back end 17 of the shoe extends completely across the width of the shoe, from the lateral side 18 of the shoe to the medial side 19. In this way, the rearmost portion of the heel 17 includes a tube 23 that covers the heel strike area furthest to the rear of the shoe that will deform and absorb impact forces during use by the wearer.
In one or more embodiments of the invention, for example as shown in
Additionally, in one or more examples of the invention, the outside opening of the tubes 14 facing the center portion 15 can be located different distances from the center portion 15. As best shown in
Due to runners generally striking the ground at a force of several times their body weight at initial contact, the heel strike cushioning portion must provide for proper impact cushioning. Therefore, in an example, the size of the tube opening 25 on the lateral side 18 of the shoe for the rearmost tube 23 is greater than the tube opening 24 on the medial side 19 of the shoe. That is, the tube is tapered from a larger diameter on the lateral side 18 to a smaller diameter on the medial side 19. It should be appreciated that in one or more embodiments of the invention, the tapering does not need to be constant from one side of the tube to the other and therefore, any of the tubes 14 can have an internal diameter that varies along the length of the tube 14 whether the tube extends the entire width of the shoe or only partially across the width of the shoe 10.
Further, due to an angle formed by the tube 23 and the size of the tube 27 compared to the tube 28, the tubes located on the different sides of the shoe can be formed at different distances from the rear heel end 17. In further examples, the tubes can be spaced apart from each other differently and therefore be provided at a similar distance from heel end 17. As shown in
In the example best shown in
In an example of the invention, the material that forms the bottom half of the tubes 14 can be the same or a different material that makes up the remaining portions of the tube. As shown in the figures, an upper surface in an interior region of the tubes 14 can be formed by a lower surface of the outsole 13 that forms the remaining portions of the outsole. The portion of the outsole 13 formed in the interior of tubes 14 can be curved or planar, grooved or substantially smooth. Accordingly, the material, for example rubber, forming the ground engaging portion of the tube 14 can form approximately one half of the tube, for example the bottom half, and the outsole portion made of a same or different material can form the other half, for example the upper half.
In an example, one or more of the tubes 14 on the medial 18 and/or lateral 19 sides includes a protrusion 32 formed on a bottom surface of the one or more tubes 14. The protrusion 32 can be planar or non-planar and reside in a recess 33 formed in the bottom of the tube 14 and project below the bottom surface of the outer curve of the tube 14 towards a ground engaging side. The protrusion 32 can be formed on one or more of the tubes, including tube 23 that extends across the width of the shoe. The protrusions can be for example, raised cleats that provide traction and durability on a firm surface.
In an embodiment, instead of or in addition to the protrusion 32, one or more of the tubes 14, for example the bottom surface of the tube, can have at least one groove 60 extending along a surface of the tube 14. The at least one groove 60 can be provided for enhanced traction on different types of surfaces. The groove 60 can extend the length of the tube 14, or can extend only a portion of the length of the tube 14. In an example, a center groove can extend completely across the length of the tube, while grooves on either side of the center groove only extend partially across the length of the tube 14. Further, the groove(s) 60 can be formed at any location on the tubes 14, for example in a similar direction to a longitudinal direction of the shoe 10 or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shoe 10. It should be appreciated that the grooves 60 can have a different depths than other grooves 60 formed on the same tube 14. Further, grooves 60 of one tube 14 can have different depths than grooves 60 formed in other tubes 14. Each groove 60 on the tube 14 can effectively reduce the wall thickness of each tube, which can allow for increased deflection or compression upon impact.
In a further example of the invention shown in
In an example, a support portion 35 is secured to or formed as a part of a bottom region of the shoe upper 11 and is engaged and secured to the portion of the outsole forming the remaining part of the tubes 14. In an example, the support portion 35 is made from different material than the other portion of the outsole forming the remaining portion of tubes 14. In one embodiment, the support portion 35 is made from carbon fiber or plastic and the tubes 14 are made from rubber. The support portion 35 can be secured to the tubes by known means suitable to allow the support portion 35 and tubes to provide a secure connection, cushioning and structural stability for the user.
In an example of the invention, the support portion 35 forms an upper region of the tube, and the lower region of the tube 14 is formed from different material and secured to the support portion 35. The area of the support portion 35 that forms an upper region 41 of one or more of the tubes 14 can have projections 38 formed therein facing in a direction of the inner bottom surface 40 of the tube. The projections 38 can be any shape or size and made from any desirable material. Further any number of projections 38 can be provided with the tube 14 and can extend any distance along the length of the tube 14. It should be appreciated that the one or more projections 38 can also be provided on the inner bottom surface 40 of the tube 14 and face upwards towards the inner upper surface 41 of support portion 35.
As shown in
In one or more examples of the invention, a region adjacent the curved lower portion 40 of the tubes 14 contacts and is secured to a corresponding surface of the outsole, in this example, the support portion 35. For example, adjacent curved tube portions 14 are substantially planar regions 45 that form a gap between the curved portions. The gap between the tubes 14 can be the same or different for the multiple tubes 14 of the shoe 10. The planar regions 45 contact substantially planar regions of the support portion 35. In the example of
In a further example, the substantially planar region of the support portion 35 can have cavities or grooves formed to receive the planar regions 45 of the lower portion of the tube. The cavities or grooves can extend from the lateral or medial side of shoe a distance towards center region 15 at least substantially corresponding to the length of the tube portion 14 secured thereto. For example, each cavity can receive therein the planar region 45 formed between adjacent tubes 14 to secure the lower tube portion to the remainder of the shoe 10, to for example the support portion 35. That is, the area between tube members 14 can be a connecting portion from one tube member to another tube member and also can be a securing portion to connect the remainder of the shoe 10.
It should be appreciated that the cavities or grooves are optional and the tubes 14 can be secured directly to the shoe 10 using for example an adhesive, stitching, or molding together instead of being received in the cavities and then secured.
In a further example of the invention shown in
In an example, the center portion 15 of the outsole 13 can be made at least partially from different material from the remaining portions of the outsole 13. The center portion 15 can be made from material that is firmer or more dense, for example plastic or carbon fiber, than the remainder of the outsole 13 and/or the tubes 14. In this example, the tubes 14 are made from rubber while center portion 15 is plastic. The center portion 15 can include raised portions 45 provided to cover the end of the tube 14 facing the center portion 15. The raised portions 45 can extend up to the opening of the tube 14 and then extend within an interior of the tube 14 for any desirable length. The raised portion 45 can be associated with one or more of the tubes 14.
In an example, the raised portions 45 extend up from the center portion 15 and along at least part of a length of an inside of the one or more tubes 14 along a top and/or bottom surface of the tube interior. That is, the raised portion 45 can extend around all or part of the interior of one or more tubes. The raised portion 45 can extend along any distance on the inside of the tube 14. Further the raised portion 45 can extend different distances on the inside of tube 14 depending on the location of the tube 14 on the bottom of the outsole 13. For example, the raised portion 45 can extend a distance indicated at 46 shown in
The raised portion 45 can be curved or planar to match the inner curved or planar regions of the lower and/or upper portion of the tube 14. The raised portion 45 can also be provided with a different shape than the tube 14. For example, a substantially planar portion can be provided along at least part of the raised portion 45 extending within the tube. The planar portion would provide a gap between the planar portion of the raised portion 45 and the curved portion of the tube 14, which will allow further compression and deformation of the tube 14.
In an example of the invention, the raised portion 45 extends in a curved manner in a direction of the ground along the inside of the lower curved surface of one or more tubes 14. The raised portion 45 in this example extends along substantially the length of the one or more tubes along approximately the lower half of the tube and is made from plastic, carbon fiber, or the like. The upper half of the tubes are provided by a portion of the outsole 13 and are made of a material softer than the raised portion 45, for example foam or rubber. In an example, the inside of the lower curved surface of the tube includes a grooved region that allows the raised portion 45 to reside therein. During use, due to the stiffer material used for the curved raised portion 45, the end of each side of the curve can push into the softer material of the outsole to provide cushioning that will dissipate the force of the foot impact and minimize the force transferred to the user.
As shown in
In this example, one or more tubes 48 located on the medial side and/or lateral side of the shoe 10 can be curved in a first direction while one or more tubes 49 located substantially along the longitudinal axis of the shoe 10 can be curved in a second direction, different from the first direction. Further, the tubes 14 located near a middle portion of the shoe 10 in one or more of the rows can have a larger size than the tubes 14 located near the toe end 26 of the shoe. As shown in
In this example, the top inner surface of tubes 14 can be curved to substantially mirror the curved lower surface, or the top inner surface can be substantially planar. It should be appreciated that in one or more examples of the invention, the curved top and/or bottom inner surfaces and/or the substantially planar top and/or bottom surfaces can be curved or planar along the longitudinal and/or lateral direction of the shoe 10.
Some of the factors in the amount of shock absorption each individual tube member provides can be determined by the softness of the material and/or the wall thickness of each tube for example. In an example of the invention, one or more of the tubes can have a variable wall thickness in the lengthwise direction and/or the widthwise direction of the tube. In one embodiment, the tube has a larger wall thickness at the ends or sides closer to the lateral side 19 and/or medial side 18 which will reduce in thickness towards the center region 15 of the shoe 10. That is, one or more tubes can have a thicker wall thickness formed along the edges, which tapers to a thinner wall thickness towards a middle which can provide more deflection and/or compression upon contact with a firm surface in the regions of the tube having the thinner wall thickness. As a further example of the invention, one or more tubes can have one or both of the end portions thicker than a middle portion along the length of the tube. Alternatively, one or more tubes provided on the lateral 19 and/or medial 18 side can have thinner regions along the edge of the tube and a thicker wall thickness in a direction of the center region 15. The mechanical compressing and flexing of the one or more tubes can provide increased shock absorption and support. The tubes can provide stability as the tubes transition from a thin wall to a thicker wall.
In a further example of the invention shown in
As shown in
Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention, a cushioning structure for an article of footwear that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages discussed herein. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention would be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
