Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DISPLAY FOR TOY BUILDING ELEMENTS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
61/876,459, filed September 11, 2013, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a display for toy building
elements, and more
particularly to a display that provides a base for building elements and that
can be mounted to
a wall to display the toy building elements.
[0003] Interlocking toy building elements, often referred to as bricks or
blocks, have
long been available, for example, under the brand name LEGO or MEGABLOCKS .
These building elements are colorful interlocking plastic block elements or
other shapes that
can be assembled and connected in many ways to construct a variety of objects
such as
vehicles, buildings, animals, and other such structures. The constructed
object may be taken
apart and used again to make another object. Toy building elements are highly
regarded for
fostering children's creative play.
[0004] Further, on occasion, a child or parent may want to keep one of
their creations
and save it, either as a memento or as a piece of art for display or to
highlight a child's taste
and further to use it to decorate a room. This may include displaying a
structure and further
allows the child to create scenery around the structure, which can then be
adjusted as desired
to create a different effect. While current building element structures are
self-sustaining,
meaning that the overall assembly can support itself and can be stable when
laid on a flat
surface and therefore could stay in its configuration for a long period of
time. For kids to
display their creations, however, a lot of real estate is required, e.g. the
top of desk, a table,
etc., which does not tend to lead to a long lasting display as this real
estate may also be
needed to accommodate multiple other toys and devices, for example, and alarm
clock, bank,
etc.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A display is provided that offers one or more surfaces to allow
building
elements to be mounted to the display and support the elements for continuous
display. The
display may be configured as a wall mountable display so that the display may
be mounted to
a wall and further removed to change or update the display and then be
reattached without
damaging the wall. Also, the three dimensional aspects of the display can be
leveraged and
left on the top of a chest, drawer, table, or other structure. Lastly, the
display offers a stable
structure for children to move their work around without damaging it.
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides a means to support and
anchor a
building element support structure onto a wall by providing a flat surface,
such as horizontal
or vertical surface, on which a building element model or creation can be
anchored to it,
which can then be attached to a wall or to a support anchored to the wall.
[0007] In one form, a building element support structure has a horizontal
member and
a vertical member connected together.
[0008] In another form, a building element support structure is formed
from a
horizontal surface and a vertical surface, with each of the surfaces having a
building element
anchoring structure.
[0009] In one aspect, a top part on the vertical surface can be configured
to display
the name or brand of what is built on the support structure.
[0010] In another aspect, a front vertical part or horizontal part also
can display a
brand or name of the building element structure.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the horizontal surface includes at least two
rows of
anchoring projections to allow building of scenery or complex elements made
out of building
elements.
[0012] In another aspect, the horizontal and vertical surfaces can be made
as one
piece using common processes such as plastic injection, thermoforming, blow
molding, etc.
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[0013] In yet another aspect, the horizontal and vertical surfaces can be
made using
multiple pieces assembled non-permanently together.
[0014] According to yet another aspect, the horizontal and vertical
surfaces can be
made using multiple building element structure assembled together by the end
user as part of
the scenery or complex structure creation or modeling.
[0015] In another embodiment, a wall display for displaying toy building
elements is
provided. The display includes a support having a rear mounting surface, a
vertical display
area, and a horizontal display area. The rear mounting surface has a connector
for attaching
the display to a wall or a wall mount, which is mounted to a wall or another
structure. The
vertical display area is supported by the support and includes a front display
surface. The
horizontal display area is supported by the support and includes a horizontal
display surface.
Optionally, the vertical and/or horizontal display surfaces may include a
plurality of
projections that cooperate with complementary building elements, such that
building
elements may be mounted to at least one of the display surfaces.
[0016] In one aspect, a display cabinet for displaying toy building
elements is
provided. The display cabinet includes a vertical display area, a horizontal
display area, and
a storage area. The display cabinet includes a rear mounting surface with a
connector for
mounting the display cabinet to a wall or other structure, which is mounted to
a wall.
Optionally, the vertical and/or horizontal display areas may be each adapted
to receive a plate
with a plurality of projections that cooperate with complementary building
elements, such
that building elements may be mounted to at least one of the display areas.
[0017] In any of the above, the display or display cabinet may include a
drawer or a
door, such as a hinged or sliding door, which can be opened to provide access
to storage area.
[0018] In any of the above, the display or display cabinet may include a
handle, for
example, which is built into the support or cabinet. The handle may be fixed
or may
comprise a retractable handle.
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[0019] In any of the above, the support may be in the form of a frame. For
example,
the frame may form a handle, such as a built-in for retractable carrying
handle.
[0020] In another aspect, the rear mounting surface includes a bracket
configured to
retain the handle, the bracket and handle configured to have complementary
shapes and
profiles for mounting the handle and support to the bracket and rear mounting
surface. The
bracket may include a lip to aid in retaining the handle to the bracket.
[0021] In yet another aspect, the rear mounting surface is provided a
mounting plate,
which remains attached to the wall or other structure when the support is
removed, revealing
an image, message, indicia and/or symbol on a front face of the rear mounting
plate. In this
aspect, the rear mounting plate provides as aesthetically pleasing surface
that is visible on the
wall or other structure while the display is removed.
[0022] According to yet another embodiment, a method of arranging a
collection of
toys or toy building elements includes providing a toy mounting surface,
arranging the toys
or toy building elements on the toy mounting surface, and removably mounting
the toy
mounting surface on a support structure, such as a wall or other support
structure to store the
arrangement of toys or toy elements and then once removed to allow transport
of the
arrangement of toys or toy elements.
[0023] According to yet another embodiment, a method of displaying a
building
element structure formed from a plurality of building elements. The method
includes
arranging a vertical display area, and arranging a horizontal display area in
relation to the
vertical display area. The method further includes providing a plurality of
anchor points at
the vertical display area or the horizontal display area.
[0024] In another aspect of the method, the providing includes providing a
plurality
of anchor points at the vertical display area and the horizontal display area.
The method may
further include providing storage for a plurality of building elements near
one of the display
areas, and may include providing storage below the horizontal display area.
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[0025] According to yet another embodiment, a method of displaying a
building
element structure from a plurality of building elements. The method includes
arranging a
display area on a display and providing a plurality of anchor points at the
display area.
Forming a three dimensional arrangement with the building elements at the
display area.
Further comprising forming a mount at the display for removable mounting the
display to a
wall or other support structure. Thus, the method enables a user to easily
transport the
building element creation during construction and/or after it has been
completed.
[0026] Before the various embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be
understood
that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the
details of construction and
the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the
drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of
being
practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed
herein. Also, it is to
be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the
purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and
"comprising"
and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and
equivalents
thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further,
enumeration may be
used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly
stated, the use of
enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific
order or
number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as
excluding from
the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be
combined with or
into the enumerated steps or components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of a display according
to one
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the display;
[0029] FIG. 3A is a side perspective view, illustrating the display with
an optional
handle in a first position, and an optional drawer in a first position;
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[0030] FIG. 3B is a side perspective view of the display, illustrating the
display with
the handle in a second position, and the drawer in a second position;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the display, illustrating the
handle and
drawer in first and second positions;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the display, illustrating the
handle and
drawer in first and second positions;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a front view of the display;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a side view of the display;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a top view of the display;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view, illustrating the display with a
front display
surface removed;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view, illustrating the display with
the front
display surface and horizontal display surface removed;
[0038] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a display according to
another
embodiment;
[0039] Fig. 12 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the
display of Fig. 11;
and
[0040] Fig. 13 an exploded front perspective view of the display of Fig.
11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1-10, the numeral 10 generally designates a
display. As
will be more fully described below, display 10 is configured to provide one or
more display
areas for mounting toys or modular toy building elements, such as LEGO@
building
elements, and optionally may incorporate a storage area, such as a drawer, to
form a display
cabinet, and/ or a handle to facilitate handling or transport. Display 10 may
also incorporate
one or more display panels for displaying information, such as a name or the
like, for
promotional purposes.
[0042] As best seen in FIG. 1, display 10 includes a support 12 with a
vertical display
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area 16 and a horizontal display area 20. The support 12 further includes a
rear mounting
surface 14 for removable mounting display 10 to a wall or other support
structure. Display
area 16 may include or be configured to receive a front vertical display
surface 18. Similarly,
display area 20 may include or be configured to receive a horizontal display
surface 22. In
the illustrated embodiment, both display surfaces 18 and 22 are formed by
plates that are
fixedly secured to support 12 (e.g. by fasteners or an adhesive or the like),
with each plate
having a plurality of mounting structures, such as projections or nubs, which
provide anchor
points to allow building elements, such as LEGO building elements, to be
mounted to
display 10. Thus, vertical and horizontal display areas 16, 20 are configured
to allow toys or
toy building elements, such as LEGO building elements, to be mounted to
display 10 and
arranged as desired to create a scene, a structure, or other arrangement so it
can be saved and
mounted, for example to a wall or another surface, including a horizontal or
vertical surface,
such as a refrigerator.
[0043] Display area 20 may be below display area 16 or may be located
above
display area 16. Further, display area 20 may be positioned adjacent a lower
edge of the
vertical display area 16 so that together they from an L-shaped display area.
[0044] In this manner, display 10 can be used to display a child's
creation in their
room or other rooms, including the kitchen. Optionally, display 10 may also
include a base,
such as described below, which provides stability to the display when the
display is placed on
a horizontal surface 10 so that a child (or other user) can build their
creation while it is
resting on a horizontal surface.
[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary support 12 is shown as
having
a substantially L-shaped configuration, which may be molded as a single
unitary member or
may be assembled from multiple members. However, it is contemplated that other
stylized
perimeters or shapes may be utilized. The support 12 is formed of rigid
material that is
capable of supporting weight and forces that the display 10 may be subjected
to. Plastic,
metal, wood, or any other suitable material is contemplated. Further a
portion, portions, or
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all of the support may be assembled from building element components.
[0046] Optionally, support 12 may include left and right vertical side
rails 24 that
terminate in substantially horizontal support arms 26, with the left and right
side rails 24 and
support arms 26 being substantially mirror-image. Support arms 26 may form a
base for the
display, as noted above, so that display 10 can be placed and rest on a
horizontal surface.
Vertical side rails 24 may straddle the vertical display area 16 and thereby
form a frame
around the display area or may wrap over the vertical edges of the vertical
display area 16 to
provide additional support. Similarly, support arms 26 may straddle the
horizontal display
area 20 and thereby form a frame around the display area or may wrap over the
horizontal
edges of the display area 20 to provide additional support.
[0047] Support 12 optionally includes an integral rear member or members
that form
the rear mounting surface 14. For example, the rear member may be a plate that
extends
between the side rails 24. Additionally, the rear mounting surface 14 may
include at least
one connector 28 to facilitate attaching the display 10 to a wall or other
structure (not
shown). For example, the connector 28 may comprise a key-hole shaped opening
so that
someone can simply align the larger portion of the opening over a nail or the
like and then
push the display towards the wall and then release so that the nail is then
captured in the
smaller, upper end of the opening. Alternately, a projecting connector may be
provided, such
as an inverted hook-shaped connector, to facilitate hanging of the display,
for example, on a
wall mounted structure, such as a plate, or a wire or on other conventional
mounting devices.
[0048] The front display surface 18, as noted, may include a plate with a
plurality of
projections, which extends between the side rails 24 and is disposed at the
vertical display
area. As noted above, the front display surface 18 may be secured to the
display 10 by any
suitable means that is both secure and aesthetically pleasing. For example,
the front display
surface 18 may be adhered on the rear surface thereof to the rear mounting
surface 14.
Alternatively, the front display surface 18 may be either fixedly or removably
retained in
undercuts or channels formed or positioned on the inwardly facing sides of the
side rails 24.
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Further, the front display surface may be integrally formed, such as by
molding, with support
12.
[0049] The horizontal display surface 22 may also be formed by a plate
with a
plurality of projections that extends between the support arms 26. For
example, the plate
forming display surface 22 may have at least two rows of projections, at least
three rows of
projections, or more. Similarly, horizontal display surface 22 may be secured
to the display
by any suitable means that is both secure and aesthetically pleasing. For
example, the
horizontal display surface 22 may be retained in undercuts or channels formed
or positioned
on the inwardly facing sides of the support arms 26. Further, the horizontal
display surface
may be integrally formed, such as by molding, with support 12.
[0050] In one embodiment, the support 12 may also include a support shelf
27 that
also extends between the support arms 26 (FIG. 10). The support shelf 27 may
be integrally
formed with the support 12, or may be mechanically affixed by any suitable
means. In the
embodiment in which the support 12 includes the support shelf 27, the
horizontal display
surface 22 may be adhered thereto or may be supported above shelf 27 to form a
storage
space, as described below.
[0051] As noted, each of the front and horizontal display surfaces 18, 22
may include
a plurality of projections 30 that are configured to mate with complementary
plastic building
elements (not shown). The projections 30 are rounded plastic nubs arranged in
parallel rows
and are compatible with building sets such as LEGO@ building elements,
MEGABLOCKS@
building elements, or the like. Alternately, as noted, display areas 16, 20
may be configured
to allow building element plates to be mounted to the display areas. For
example, display
areas 16, 20 may incorporate discrete building elements secured to them and
onto which the
building elements plates or sheets may then be attached to form the display
surfaces 18, 22.
A plurality of building elements may then be mounted to both the front and
horizontal
display surfaces 18, 22 to build toy structures during play. Upon completion
of either
playing or the toy structure, the project may be left mounted to the front and
horizontal
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display surfaces 18, 22 for display. Alternatively, the projections 30 may be
formed in the
vertical and horizontal display areas 16, 20, therefore eliminating the need
for separate
building elements plates or sheets.
[0052] Furthermore, as noted, the display 10 may be configured as a
display cabinet
and include a storage area, for example, provided by a slidable drawer 32 or a
door, such as a
sliding (sideways) or hinged door. In the illustrated embodiment, the drawer
32 is mounted
beneath the horizontal display area 20. Further, the drawer 32 may be
positioned below the
horizontal display surface 22 and above support shelf 27, if included. It is
contemplated that
a plurality of building elements may be stored in the drawer 32.
[0053] In another embodiment, the display 10 may include a handle 34 for
carrying
the display 10. The handle may be fixed or movable (FIG, 3B). In the
illustrated
embodiment, handle 34 includes a transverse member 36 that forms a bight
portion and two
legs 38. The legs 38 may be received in openings within an upper portion of
the side rails 24.
As noted, the handle may be moveable. For example, the handles may be slidable
in the
openings so they can be moved between a retracted position (FIG 3A) and a
deployed
position (FIG. 3B). The handle 34 may be retained in position within the side
rails 24 by any
suitable means, such as detent mechanisms. When the handle 34 is in the
extended second
position, the display 10 may be carried by the handle 34. In the retracted
position, the handle
34 may form a top portion of the support 12, and optionally enclose an upper
edge of the
front display surface 18 so that the handle can form an extension of the side
rails 24.
Optionally, the handle may also form part of the design.
[0054] As stated above, the rear mounting surface 14 includes at least one
connector
28 for attaching the display 10 to a wall or other structure (not shown). In
the example
illustrated in FIG. 2, the connector is in the form of one or more key-hole
shaped openings
28. When using openings 28, the display 10 may be mounted substantially flush
on a flat
surface in a manner that is easily understood by those having still in the
art. As noted, the
opening 28 may mount display 10 on a nail or a special receiving anchor
mounted to the wall.
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[0055] In one embodiment, the rear mounting surface 14 includes a
plurality of raised
contact surfaces 40. In the illustrated example, the rear mounting surface 14
includes four
raised contact surfaces 40 positioned near each of the four corners of the
rear mounting
surface 14. Of course, more or fewer raised contact surfaces may be included,
and may be
located at different positions on the rear mounting surface 14. In addition,
the raised contact
surfaces 40 may have a rubber or felt bumpers 42 affixed thereto, for
preventing marring of
the wall or other structure to which the display 10 is mounted. Alternatively,
the raised
contact surfaces 40 may have magnets for mounting the display 10 to a magnetic
surface.
[0056] In another embodiment, the horizontal display area of the display
10 further
includes a bottom surface 44. The bottom surface 44 may simply be the lower
surface of the
side arms 26, the drawer 32, or the bottom surface of shelf 27, or may be a
separate member.
For example, the bottom surface 44 may be a generally planar member that
extends between
the support arms 26, and is positioned below the drawer 32. In either case,
the display 10 is
able to be placed on, and supported by, the bottom surface 44 on a horizontal
surface so that
display 10 is sufficiently stable to allow building elements to be mounted
onto the various
building element surfaces of display. Accordingly, the display 10 may be
either hung on a
wall or placed on a flat surface, such as a table, and in either case is
supported with sufficient
stability to allow building elements to be mounted to display 10.
[0057] In yet another embodiment, the display 10 may include LED lighting
for
illuminating the display 10.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 11-13, the number 110 designates another
embodiment of
the display. Display 110 similarly includes a support 112 and a rear mounting
plate 114
having a mounting surface. The support 112 includes a vertical display area
116 and a
horizontal display area 120. Display area 116 may include or be configured to
receive a front
vertical display surface 118. Similarly, display area 120 may include or be
configured to
receive a horizontal display surface 122. For further details of the display
areas 116 and 120
reference is made to the embodiments described above. As discussed above, the
projections
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130 may be formed in the vertical and horizontal display surfaces 118 and 122,
or directly on
the vertical and horizontal display areas 116, 120.
[0059] As discussed above with respect to the prior embodiment, the
mounting
surface of the rear mounting plate 114 includes at least one connector for
attaching the
display 110 to a wall or other structure (not shown). Various forms of
connectors may be
used for mounting the rear mounting plate 114 to a wall, including the
commercially
available Command Strips TM sold by 3M, conventional screws, and other means
for
fastening the rear mounting plate 114 to the wall.
[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, when the display 110 is attached to
a wall or
other structure, the support 112 portion of the display 110 may be separated
from the rear
mounting plate 114, which remains attached to the wall. That is to say that
the support 112
portion of the display 110 is removably mounted to the rear mounting plate
114, which is
attached to the wall. Further, the support 112 includes a fixed handle 134
that defines an
opening 160. The handle 134 is adapted to fit over a bracket 150 that is
formed on a front
face 154 of the rear mounting plate 114. The bracket 150 includes a plate 156
and a
substantially horizontally-extending base 158, with the plate 156 disposed at
a distal end of
the base 158. The plate 156 is sized so that it is larger than the base 158 in
at least one
direction to thereby form a flange 152 or a partial flange at the distal end
of the base 158.
[0061] The handle 134 and bracket 150 are configured to have complementary
shapes, sizes, and profiles so that the handle 134 may fit over and be
retained by the bracket
150. Accordingly, the plate 156 is commensurately sized with the opening 160
of the handle
134 so that the plate can pass through the opening and further optionally lie
generally flush
with the outer surface of handle 134 and also vertical display surface 118.
When mounted on
bracket 150, flange 152 may help to retain the handle 134 onto the bracket 150
by allowing at
least a portion of the handle 134 to rest on base 158. This mounting
configuration allows the
bracket 150 to better support the weight of the support 112 due to the width
of the bracket
150. Further, this arrangement avoids blind anchoring of the support 112 to
the rear
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mounting plate 114.
[0062] Inserting the handle 134 onto the bracket 150 may require a press-fit
or a slight
interference fit between the handle opening 160 and the flange 152. In the
installed position,
the opening 160 is supported by the base 158, and the flange 152 complements
the contour of
the opening 160, providing an aesthetically pleasing interface between the
components.
Optionally, the plate 156 or a portion such as the outer perimeter may be
formed of a semi-
flexible material for easier installation. For example, plate 156 may have a
compressible lip,
for example, formed from foam. In this manner, when handle 134 is pushed onto
the bracket
150, the outer perimeter of plate 156 will compress or deflect and allow the
handle 134 to
move on to base 152, but then plate 156 will return to its pre-compressed
state or pre-
deflected configuration so that plate will optionally fill in the handle
opening 160 and hide
any gap.
[0063] In another embodiment, the front face 154 of the rear mounting
surface 114
includes an image, message, indicia, and/or a symbol. When the support 112 is
removed
from the rear mounting plate 114, the image is revealed, thereby creating a
visually appealing
display to be seen when the support 112 is removed.
[0064] In another embodiment, the rear mounting plate 114 may include a
small
bucket (not shown) to form a storage area, permanently or detachably, attached
for storing a
plurality of toys, toy building elements or related tools.
[0065] In yet another embodiment, the display 110 may include LED
lighting. It is
contemplated that LEDs may be included in the bracket 150 for illuminating the
display 110.
[0066] In any of the above, the mounting surfaces may be provided by surfaces
other than
those with projections so that other types or toys or building elements may be
mounted to the
display.
[0067] The display 10, 110 described herein offers a unique solution to
the problem
of what to do with the building elements once the project is completed. Also,
in addition or
alternatively, the display can be used to decorate a room, including in a
manner to display an
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individual's preference for a brand, like a poster. Using the display 10, 110
enables the child,
or adult, to work on the toy building structure, and then display the finished
project. The
display 10, 110 can be mounted to a wall, or placed upon a table or other
structure for
displaying the building elements project. When the child wishes to continue
with the project,
or start another one, the display 10, 110 can simply be moved to a location
where it is
accessible for play. The display 10, 110 also presents a unique ability to
move the
constructed building block structure without breaking it, due at least in part
to the rigidity of
the display 10, 110 as well as the convenience of including a handle.
[0068] While several forms of the inventions have been shown and
described, the
above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various
alterations and
changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of
the invention
as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance
with the
principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This
disclosure is presented
for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive
description of all
embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the
specific elements
illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example,
and without
limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be
replaced by
alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or
otherwise provide
adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative
elements, such
as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and
alternative elements that
may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art
might, upon
development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments
include a
plurality of features that are described in concert but which can be used
independently and/ or
combined with other features. The present invention is not limited to only
those
embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the
stated benefits, except
to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. For example,
any reference to
claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a," "an,"
"the" or "said," is
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not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Additionally,
directional terms
used in the specification, such as "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom,"
"upper," "lower,"
"inner," "inwardly," "outer" and "outwardly," are used to assist in describing
the invention
based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The
use of
directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any
specific
orientation(s).
[0069] Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the
drawings and
described above are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to
limit the scope
of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow as interpreted
under the
principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.
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