Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 2020/251896
PCT/US2020/036648
UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION
FOR
SAFEGUARD FOR AN ADJUSTABLE BASE
BY
CODY HAVAICH
AND
MICAH A. KAUFMAN
CLAIM TO PRIORITY
100011 This PCT patent application claims priority to and benefit of
U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Serial Number 62/859,459 filed June 10, 2019, titled
"Safeguard for
an Adjustable Base, all of which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
I. Field of the Invention
100021 Present embodiments relate to an adjustable base for a bed. More
specifically,
present embodiments relate to a safeguard for an adjustable base, wherein the
safeguard prevents access to a space or area between the articulated portions
of the
base and a stationary frame.
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2. Description of the Related Art
(00031 Prior art articulating beds may be moved typically by adjusting
a head portion
to raise the head, for example, in order to read in bed, and a moveable feet
portion
which allows for raising or lowering of the feet depending on the sleep,
reading, or
other desired position of the user.
100041 Unfortunately, in adjusting an articulating base to articulate
the deck into a
position spaced apart from the base frame, small children or animals may enter
the area
therebetween. In such configuration, the child or pet may potentially be
injured if the
base is lowered toward the frame, for example, unbeknownst to a user of the
bed while
the child or pet is in this area between the deck and base frame.
(0005] It is desirable to create a base in which access between the
articulated deck
portion and the frame is eliminated.
100061 The information included in this Background section of the
specification,
including any references cited herein and any description or discussion
thereof, is
included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded
subject matter
by which the scope of the invention is to be bound.
SUMMARY
/00071 The present application discloses one or more of the features
recited in the
appended claims and/or the following features which alone or in any
combination, may
comprise patentable subject matter.
100081 Present embodiments relate to a safeguard for an adjustable or
articulating
base. The safeguard inhibits or eliminates access to a space between an
articulating
deck and a frame and further precludes entry into these spaces by an animal or
small
child.
100091 According to some embodiments, a safeguard for an adjustable
base comprises
a frame having at least one peripheral member, an adjustable deck operably
connected
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to the frame, having at least a head portion, a feet portion and at least one
intermediate
portion therebetween. At least one of the head portion, intermediate portion,
or the
feet portion may be movable relative to the frame, a barricade may extend
between the
at least one movable head portion or feet portion, to the frame. The barricade
may
preclude access between the frame and the at least one movable head portion or
feet
portion.
100101 According to some optional embodiments, the safeguard may
further comprise
a plurality of legs depending from the at least one peripheral member The
safeguard
may further comprise a barricade extending between a bottom of the adjustable
deck
and the frame. The barricade may be connected to an inside of the frame. The
barricade may be connected to an outer edge of the frame. The barricade may be
extending from an upper edge of the adjustable deck to the frame. The
barricade may
be removably connected to at least one of the adjustable base and the frame.
The
barricade may be a fabric and the fabric may be one of stretchable or foldable
The
safeguard barricade may be one of a vinyl, plastic, or textile. The safeguard
may
further comprise a second barricade material extending across the frame
between the at
least one peripheral member. The safeguard may further comprise at least one
actuator
connected to the frame. The safeguard may further comprise at least one
linkage on
the frame.
100111 According to some embodiments_ a method of safeguarding a space
between
an articulating base and a frame of a bed comprising articulating a deck from
a first
position to a second position, expanding a barricade from a first barricade
position to a
second barricade position during the articulatirio and inhibiting access to a
space
between the articulating deck and the frame with the barricade.
100121 According to some embodiments. a safeguard for an adjustable
base comprises
a frame having at least one peripheral member, an adjustable deck operably
connected
to the frame, having at least a head portion, a feet portion and at least one
intermediate
portion therebetween. At least one of the head portion, intermediate portion,
or the
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feet portion may be movable relative to the frame, a barricade extending
across an
opening defined by the peripheral member of the frame.
[0013] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in
a simplified
form that are further described below in the Detailed Description, This
Summary is
not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed
subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject
matter. All of the
above outlined features are to be understood as exemplary only and many more
features and objectives of the various embodiments may be gleaned from the
disclosure herein. Therefore, no limiting interpretation of this summary is to
be
understood without further reading of the entire specification, claims and
drawings,
included herewith. A more extensive presentation of features, details,
utilities, and
advantages of the present invention is provided in the following written
description of
various embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, and
defined in the appended claims,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In order that the embodiments may be better understood,
embodiments of a
safeguard for an adjustable base will now be described by way of examples.
These
embodiments are not to limit the scope of the claims as other embodiments of
the
safeguard for an adjustable base will become apparent to one having ordinary
skill in
the art upon reading the instant description. Non-limiting examples of the
present
embodiments are shown in figures wherein:
[0015] FIG. I is a perspective view of one embodiment of an adjustable
base
safeguard;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an
alternate
configuration of an adjustable base safeguard;
100171 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a further
alternate
configuration of an adjustable base safeguard; and,
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100181 FIGS_ 4A and 4B are perspective views of
alternative embodiments of
safeguard which extend horizontally across an opening of the base.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019]
It is to be understood that a
safeguard for an adjustable base is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of
components set
forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
described
embodiments are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of
being
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded
as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations
thereof
herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents
thereof as
well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms "connected,"
"coupled,"
and "mounted," and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass
direct
and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms
"connected" and "coupled" and variations thereof are not restricted to
physical or
mechanical connections or couplings.
[0020]
With reference to FIGS. 1-4B, a
various embodiments of an adjustable base
with safeguard are shown. The instant embodiments provide that the safeguard
is
formed by a barricade or bather which extends between articulated portions of
a deck
and the frame. As a result of the barricade, the spaces are either
inaccessible or the
Likelihood of access to such is greatly reduced.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of one embodiment of
the
adjustable base safeguard is depicted. The adjustable base 10 comprises a deck
12 and
a frame 14 wherein the deck 12 is operably connected to the frame 14. For sake
of
clarity, a mattress is not shown, but one skilled in the art will understand
that a
mattress is disposed on, and supported by, an upper surface of the deck 12.
The frame
14 may include fixed elements and movable elements wherein the movable
elements
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may move relative to the fixed portions of the frame 14. The deck 12 may be
connected to movable frame elements or components and the fixed elements
wherein
the deck moves with movable frame elements and other portions of the deck are
fixed
with the fixed elements of the frame 14. For example, actuators and/or
linkages may
connect articulating portions of the deck 12 to the frame 14. The frame 14 may
be
defined by a single structure or one or more sub-frame structures. This can be
defined
in a plurality of ways, and the construction of the frame and/or deck is not
limited.
Any of various deck portions individually or collectively may be adjustable
for
movement to adjust the mattress (not shown). Some non-limiting examples are
provided in U.S. Application 16/047,725, which are incorporated by reference
herein.
100221 The deck 12 may be formed of a plurality of support portions
including a head
portion 20, a feet portion 22, and an intermediate portion 24. At /east one of
the
portions 20, 22, 24 is moveable or articulates relative to the frame 14. In
the depicted
embodiment, the head portion 20 is moveable in order to raise the head, for
example if
the user wants a reading position. Alternatively, the feet portion 22 is also
shown as
moveable in order to raise the feet or adjust to a comfortable position for
reading or
any other relaxing activity. Further, the intermediate deck portion 24 may, in
some
embodiments, be fixed relative to the frame 14 so that it does not raise or
otherwise
move relative to the frame 14_ In the instant embodiment, an additional deck
portion
26 is shown as moveable and corresponds to the thigh portion of the legs, for
example
between the waist and the knees in order to adjust this portion of the user's
body for
comfort. Various numbers of deck portions may be used. For example, the head
portion 20 may be formed of numerous portions. Likewise for the feet portion
22 and
the intermediate portion 24. Also, for example, where some portion of the
intermediate portion 24 may be fixed, and other portions like the lumbar area,
may be
movable. As with the frame 14, the deck construction may vary and the
illustrative
embodiments should not be considered limiting. The deck 12 may be formed of a
plurality of support substrates or portions slats or sheets including, but not
limited to,
wood, Pv1DF, or plastic material which can support a mattress positioned upon
the deck
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12. In some embodiments for example a webbing or woven material may be used
and
alternatively a corrugated cardboard, sometime referred to corrugate. Thin
sheet
materials for example carbon or mixtures of carbon may be laminate or wovens
may be
used to define the deck 12. Each of the one or more deck portions 20, 22, 24,
26 may
be pivotally connected to one another by a hinge structure or for example, may
be
connected to sub-frames which are pivotally connected The deck portions 20,
22, 24
may also be pivotally connected to the frame 14 of the deck 12 and may be
movable
toward or away from the frame 14.
100231 With regard to the movement or articulation, the deck 12, or
portions thereof,
may move between an unarticulated position, for example flat, and a fully
articulated
position depicted. The fully articulated position may be used as a maximum
movement position, away from the unarticulated position, for purpose of
determining
how to size a barrier 40. In general, the barricade 40 may have an unstretched
length
at any given position which is less than the distance of the fully articulated
position at
the same given position. The barricade 40 may also comprise an additional
elastic to
tighten the barricade as the deck 12 returns to a flat position, for example,
a bungee
cord, spring, or other elastic.
[0024] In any of these embodiments, the deck and any movable portions
of the frame
14 or one or more frame components (not shown) may be movable by use of one or
more actuators and/or linkages which move the deck portion 20, 22, 24, 26
relative to
the frame 14, or in some embodiments, a sub-frame. For example, various
actuators
may be utilized including but not limited to electric, electromechanical
actuators, fluid
(hydraulic or pneumatic) actuators, spring, manual actuators, magnetic drive
or others
which provide for motion of the deck 12 or portion(s) of the deck relative to
the frame
14.
100251 Additionally, the deck portions 20, 22, 24, 26 may be covered
with a padding,
foam, or other cushioning material and/or may also include a fabric cover 23
of some
sort to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the deck portions 20,
22, 24, 26.
Further, each of the deck portions 20, 22, 24, 26 may comprise a cushion or
padding
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25 extending about the peripheral edge of the deck 12 in order to also provide
a
pleasing appearance while also inhibiting accidental iniury from bumping into
the edge
of the deck 12. For example, the deck portions may be defined by an MDF
material,
covered in foam and further surrounded by a fabric material in some
embodiments.
The deck 12 may also include alignment and/or retaining features for the
mattress (not
shown). Further, hinge structures disposed between the deck portions may also
be
covered in foam to further reduce any change of pinching of a user.
[0026] Referring now to the frame 14, the frame 14 may be formed of at
least one
member 30 defining a substantially rectangular shape. The frame 14 may be
inboard,
outboard, or aligned with the deck 12. In the instant embodiment, a plurality
of
members 30, 32, 34 are shown wherein the frame comprises two longitudinal
members
extending in the head to toe direction of the bed and two lateral members
which are
perpendicular to the longitudinal members. An opening or open area is defined
within
the periphery of the members. Ill the instant embodiment there are four
members
which may be joined to form at least one member. Additional members may be
utilized which may not be seen in this view, such as a member at the head
portion 20
of the frame 14. The members 30, 32, 34 are generally fixed and may be
connected
together by a fasteners or other structures and/or may be welded or
permanently
connected together defining the at least one member The members 30, 32, 34 may
be
various cross-sectional shapes and may for example be an angle-iron structural
shape,
or other open (unenclosed) cross-sectional shape_ Alternatively, the frame
members
may be an enclosed cross-sectional shape such as, square, rectangular,
circular or other
such closed shape. The frame members may all be of the same shape or cross-
section,
or alternatively, may be of differing cross-sections for example between the
longitudinal and lateral directions. As described previously, the frame 14 may
also be
defined by one or more sub-frames which define the frame 14. The frame 14 may
be
formed of any upper and lower sub-frame wherein one of the upper and lower
frame
defines the support structure to allow pivot therefrom. The frame 14 may also
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comprise actuators or linkages which may be connected to the fixed portions of
the
frame 14 and may also be connected to the deck 12 to move portions thereof.
100271 Depending from the at least one member may be one or more
optional of legs
38. The legs 38 provide support and lift the frame 14 off of the ground below.
The
legs 38 may be formed of one or more segments in order to provide the height
and
while the legs 38 are shown as a cylindrical shape, the cross-section shape
may be
continuous or may vary along its axial direction. Likewise, the cross-
sectional shape
may be some shape other than circular which may or may not vary in the axial
direction of the leg.
100281 In some embodiments, the frame 14 may be placed on an existing
bed
accessory. For example, if the user has an existing bed frame, such as slats
and/Or box
spring, they would like to use, the frame 14 may be placed on such bed
accessory,
without the use of legs 38. The frame 14 may be sized to have a vertical
dimension
wherein any rnechani cats such as actuators, blowers or other components may
fit and
operate therein without interfering with such bed accessory below frame 14.
Further,
the barricade 40 may also be added to such bedding accessory in order to
further
inhibit access into areas which may result in pinching or crushing.
10029-1 Also shown extending about the deck 12 between the deck 12 and
the frame
14, is a barricade 40, also referred to as a barrier which functions as a
safeguard. The
barricade 40 extends between the frame 14 and the deck 12. The barricade 40
may be
formed of various materials and may be in various forms. For example, the
barricade
40 may be formed of an elastomeric material, which may be defined as any
material,
such as natural or synthetic rubber, that is able to resume its original shape
when a
deforming force is removed. The elastomeric material may also include but is
not
limited to, fabric, vinyl, plastic, any of which may be stretched to expand
when the
deck 12 is spaced apart from the frame 14. The barricade 40 may also be formed
of
foams or polymers, or any combination of the preceding materials. The
elastomeric
may be, in some embodiments, an elastomeric fabric which may be defined by a
fabric
having some percentage of elastomeric fibers. For example, an elastomeric
fabric may
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include at least 10% elastic fiber content to provide a desired amount of
stretch_ The
barricade 40 allows for some amount of stretch, or amount of deformation, and
may
provide for between about 50% stretch up to about 300% stretch or 3x increase
from
its un-deformed length. The amount of stretch may be used to size the barrier
relative
to a size of gap between the deck and frame. For example, and without
limitation, for
a fully-articulated gap of 24", a barricade of 12" at 100% stretch may be
utilized. The
percentage of stretch may be varied and therefore may be used to size the
barricade 40.
In general, the barricade 40 may be sized so that the un-stretched barricade
40 length,
in the direction between deck 12 and frame 14, is less than the fully-
articulated or
maximum gap size. Further, in addition to, or alternatively from the
stretching
capability, the barricade 40 may retract or fold away when the deck 12 is
returned to
the frame 14, for example in a flat orientation. In some embodiments, the
barricade 40
may fold like an accordion when retracting. Further, as related to form, the
barricade
may be in the form of a netting or net-like material or may be in the form of
a fabric.
The net material may have relatively small openings or may be in the form of a
cargo-
net with relatively larger holes, and which may be stretchable, for example
like a
bungee material, or may not be stretchable_ Various may be used to the extent
that the
form precludes access of a small child for example to areas of possible pinch-
hazard.
100301 The barricade 40 may include various treatments. For example,
the barricade
may include a fire resistant (FR) treatment. This FR treatment may be provided
by way
of the types of fibers or materials used, may be by way of chemical treatment,
or a
combination. For example, various acrylics or kevlars may have fibers or
chemicals
that may have a spray on or bath type application. In other embodiments, a
backing
sheet of FR material may be applied to the barricade 40. The barricade 40 may
be also
have some amount of glass content which acts as a flame barrier. These
products and
applications may be used individually or in combination. The FR material
should be
capable of passing known flame resistant tests suitable for bedding products
for
example as found in 16 CFR 1632 and 1633..
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100311 Still further other anti-microbial treatments may be provided to
the barricade
40. For example, the anti-microbial may inhibit mold and or bedbugs, for non-
limiting
example. The antimicrobials may also include anti-furtgals and/or biocide&
100321 Referring still to FIG. 1, the instant embodiment provides that
the barricade 40
is connected on the inside of the frame 14, for example on an inside surface
or along
an inside edge, and along the bottom of the deck 12. However, as will be shown
in
other embodiments, the barricade 40 may be connected in other manners.
(00331 With reference now to FIG. 2, an alternate embodiment is shown.
The
structure of the adjustable base 110 is generally similar to that of the
previous
embodiment Accordingly, the description is incorporated by reference herein.
In this
embodiment, a barricade 140 is provided which differs from that of FIG. 1. In
this
embodiment, the barricade 140 is attached under the deck 12 and extends along
an
outside edge or surface of the frame 14. In this way, when the deck 12 is
raised from
the frame 14, the barricade 140 again inhibits or eliminates access to the
interior spaces
of the adjustable base 110. Alternatively, the barricade 40 may be connected
about the
frame inner or outer edges.
(00341 Referring now to FIG. 3, a further embodiment is provided. In
this
embodiment, the adjustable base 210 is again similar in construction as that
of the first
and second embodiments and therefore, the description of such is incorporated
by
reference herein. According to the instant embodiment, the barricade 240 is
connected
along an upper edge or surface of the deck 12 and extends to the frame 14. For
example, the barricade 240 may be connected to the fabric cover 23 lowering
the deck
12 In this embodiment, or any of the others, the connection points may be
varied from
what is shown in the figure. For example, the barricade 240 may also extend
from the
upper surface of the deck 12 to an inner surface or edge of the frame 14.
(0035) Additionally, according to any of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3,
the barricade
40, 140, 240 may be secured permanently to the deck 12 and/or to the frame 14
or
alternatively, may be removably connected. The use of a removable system may
allow
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for addition of the barricade as an after-market product or alternatively, as
a product
which may be originally manufactured. Still further, removal of the barricade
allows
for cleaning such as in a washing machine or dry cleaning, as needed by the
user.
Various connections include, but are not limited to, hook and loop, clips,
soinglribbon,
buttons, snaps, zippers, hooks, or other devices_ Alternatively, the
connections may be
sewn or have other permanent connections, for example adhesive, which preclude
removal. Still further, the barricade may be provided to fit like a fitted
sheet for such
removability. These barricades provide a clean and effective way of blocking
access to
the open space between the deck 12 and the frame 14 and reduce or otherwise
eliminate a potential safety concern.
190361 In some embodiments, the upper and/or lower end of the barricade
40 may be
connected to a wrap or pad which extends about an edge of the deck 12 or an
edge of
the frame 14. Such wrap or pad may disconnectably be attached to the frame 14
or the
deck 12, or both
190371 With additional reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, further
embodiments are
shown in perspective view. While FIGS. 1-3 depict the barricade 40 extending
between the fixed portion of the frame 14 and the deck 12, other embodiments
may
provide for the barricade 40 to be located across an opening in the frame 14.
That is,
as opposed to, or in addition to, extending in a generally vertical direction,
the
barricade 40 may alternately, or additionally, extend horizontally across the
open space
of the frame 14. The frame 14 may be rectangular for example with an open area
within the boundary or periphery of the frame 14, wherein movable and/or fixed
portions of the frame 14 may be located. With reference to FIG. 4A, a
barricade 40, is
shown extending across a horizontal opening of the frame_ In this embodiment,
the
barricade 40 is disposed within the boundary of the frame 14. With reference
to FIG.
418, an alternate design is provided_ The barricade 40 is shown mounted from
below
the opening in the frame 14, such that the barricade 40 may extend upwardly
along
legs of the frame 14 and horizontally across the opening of the frame. In
these
embodiments, the barricade 40 is shown within the periphery of the frame 14.
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However, in other embodiments, it is within the scope of the disclosure that
the
barricade 40 extend over the outside of the frame 14 so that the frame 14 and
the legs
38 are hidden from view. In either embodiment, would inhibit a small child
from
accessing the interior frame area from between the deck 12 and frame 14 or
alternatively, inhibit access from below the frame 14_
100381 In any of the previously described embodiments, or any other
embodiments, it
may be desirable to provide for cable management or other management for
tubing,
actuators or any parts or components that may need to move through the surface
defined by the barricade. For example, it may be necessary to allow for
passage of the
power and or control wire(s), air or fluid hose, or allow for passage of a
portion of an
actuator. Accordingly, the barricade 40 may include a grommet, a slit in the
material,
a pass-thni passage or the like. Any of these pass-thru passages or structures
may be
located in the horizontal or vertical surfaces described and shown herein.
100391 While several inventive embodiments have been described and
illustrated
herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of
other means
and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results
and/or one or
more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or
modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the invent of embodiments
described
herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that
all
parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are
meant to be
exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or
configurations
will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the
inventive
teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to
ascertain
using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific
inventive
embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the
foregoing
embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of
the
appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be
practiced
otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of
the
present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article,
material, kit,
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and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more
such
features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such
features, systems,
articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is
included
within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.
100401 All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be
understood to control
over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by
reference, and/or
ordinary meanings of the defined terms. The indefinite articles "a" and "an,"
as used
herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the
contrary,
should be understood to mean "at least one." The phrase "andlor," as used
herein in
the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or
both" of
the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in
some cases
and disjunctively present in other cases.
100411 Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed in
the same
fashion, i.e.. "one or more" of the elements so conjoined Other elements may
optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the
"and/or"
clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically
identified. Thus, as
a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when used in conjunction
with
open-ended language such as "comprising" can refer, in one embodiment, to A
only
(optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only
(optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to
both A
and B (optionally including other elements) etc.
100421 As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or"
should be
understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as defined above. For example,
when separating items in a list, "or" or "and/or" shall be interpreted as
being
inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than
one, of a
number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only
terms
clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of' or "exactly one of,"
or, when
used in the claims, "consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly
one element
of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used herein
shall only be
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interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but
not both")
when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one
of," or
"exactly one or "Consisting essentially of," when used in the claims, shall
have its
ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
100431 As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the
phrase "at least one,"
in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean
at least
one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of
elements, but
not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically
listed
within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in
the list
of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be
present other
than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which
the
phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements
specifically
identified Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or,
equivalently, "at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A
and/or B")
can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than
one, A,
with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another
embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A
present
(and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment,
to at
least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally
including
more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
100441 It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to
the contrary, in
any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order
of the
steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which
the steps or
acts of the method are recited.
1004151 In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all
transitional phrases
such as "comprising,' "including," "carrying," "having," "containing,'
"involving,"
"holding," "composed of," and the like are to be understood to be open-ended,
i.e., to
mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting
of' and
"consisting essentially of' shall be closed or semi-closed transitional
phrases,
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respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent
Examining Procedures.
100461 The foregoing description of methods and embodiments has been
presented
for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the
invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It
is intended
that the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the claims
appended
hereto.
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