Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- 1 -
FLOATING SHELF BRACKET
BACKGROUND
[0001] Shelves can be attached to walls using various support structures, such
as brackets. Some support structures for wall-mounted shelves are able to
support higher amounts of weight than others. Support structures that are able
to support higher amounts of weight tend to be bulkier and more visible than
support structures that support lower amounts of weight. A consumer may find
a highly visible support structure on a wall to be undesirable in a room where
the consumer wishes to establish a certain decor. Improvement to shelves and
brackets is an ongoing endeavor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] Features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the
detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the
invention;
and, wherein:
[0003] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bracket and a floating
shelf in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the bracket of FIG. 1.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a partial rear view of the bracket of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a partial front view of the bracket of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 6 is a partial front view of the bracket of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a method for mounting the
bracket of FIG. 1 to blocking of a wall.
[0010] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the bracket and the floating shelf
of
FIG. 1, shown mounted to the blocking of the wall.
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[0011] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a method for mounting the
bracket of FIG. 1 to a surface panel of a wall.
[0012] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the bracket and the floating shelf
of
FIG. 1, shown mounted to the surface panel of the wall.
[0013] FIG. 11 is a front view of the bracket of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 12 is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 13 is a front view of the floating shelf of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 14 is an exploded top view of the bracket and the floating shelf
of
FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 15 is an exploded side view of the bracket and the floating shelf
of
FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 16 is a partial front view of a bracket in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0019] While the brackets are shown with two rods by way of example, the
brackets can have any number of rods.
[0020] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated,
and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will
nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is
thereby intended.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Before invention embodiments are disclosed and described, it is to be
understood that no limitation to the particular structures, process steps, or
materials disclosed herein is intended, but also includes equivalents thereof
as
would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It
should
also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of
describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. The
same
reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element. Numbers
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provided in flow charts and processes are provided for clarity in illustrating
steps
and operations and do not necessarily indicate a particular order or sequence.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have
the
same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to
which this disclosure belongs.
[0022] An initial overview of the inventive concepts are provided below and
then
specific examples are described in further detail later. This initial summary
is
intended to aid readers in understanding the examples more quickly, but is not
intended to identify key features or essential features of the examples, nor
is it
intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0023] A bracket is provided for mounting a shelf to a flat vertical surface,
such
as a wall. The bracket can have a high ratio of weight-supporting capacity to
visibility relative to some other wall-mountable shelf-supports.
[0024] When decorating a room, a consumer may wish to mount shelves to one
or more walls to provide increased space for display or storage. Many wall-
mountable shelf-supports (e.g., brackets) are mounted below the shelves they
support, and therefore remain visible beneath the shelves after installation
is
complete. Other varieties of shelf-support brackets are mounted above the
shelves they support, but likewise remain visible after installation is
complete.
[0025] Some consumers may wish to mount a shelf to a wall but may not wish
for the bracket that supports the shelf to be conspicuously visible. A shelf
that is
supported by a bracket that is not conspicuously visible is sometimes referred
to
as a floating shelf, since the shelf may appear to float due to the low
visibility of
the supporting bracket.
[0026] There is often a trade-off between visibility and weight-supporting
strength because a bracket that is less conspicuous tends to be smaller and
tends to absorb the stress of weight borne by a shelf over a smaller area.
Consequently, consumers who wish to store or display relatively heavy items on
floating shelves may have difficulty finding brackets that provide both a
desired
high level of weight-bearing capacity and a desired low level of bracket
visibility.
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[0027] Brackets designed in accordance with the design principles described
herein provide a high ratio of weight-supporting capacity to visibility
relative to
some existing commercial support brackets for floating shelves. The bracket is
configured to be mounted to the wall in differ ways. In one aspect, the
bracket
can be directly mounted to blocking and studs of the wall using an array of
countersunk bores. A wall panel, such as drywall, shiplap, etc. can be mounted
over a plate of the bracket with rods extending through holes in the wall
panel.
In another aspect, the bracket can be directly mounted to the wall panel using
an array of slots. The bores and slots can be interleaved and spaced-apart by
webs. The webs can have a thickness less than % inches so that the slots
and/or bores can always align with a stud (based on standard 16 inch spacing).
[0028] In one example, a bracket for supporting a shelf may comprise a solid
plate with a planer back side, apertures extending through the plate, and rods
secured to and extending from the plate and received within the aperture. The
plate and the rods may be made of steel or another metal. A proximal end of
the rod can be joined to the flat back side of the plate at a back end of the
aperture. The proximal end of the rod can be joined to the flat back side of
the
plate by a weld that extends along a shared (i.e., by the proximal end of the
rod
and by the back end of the aperture of the plate) cross-sectional perimeter of
the cross-sectional shape at the back end of the aperture. The weld can fully
encompass the shared cross-sectional perimeter. The rod can be secured to a
back side of the plate by a weld around a circular perimeter of the rod and
the
aperture in the plate. In addition, the proximal end of the rod and the weld
can
be flush with the back side of the plate. When the rod is positioned in the
aperture in the plate and the proximal end of the rod is joined to the flat
back
side of the plate (e.g., by a weld), a bracket with increased weight-bearing
capacity results. By contrast, a bracket with an elongate member that is
merely
spot welded to the front side of the base would have comparably less weight-
bearing capacity.
[0029] The bracket can also comprise an array of countersunk bores and an
array of slots for fasteners. The array of bores can facilitate a strong
connection
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to the wall while the array of slots can facilitate alignment of the fasteners
with
studs in the wall. The bores/slots and fasteners may be positioned closer to
the
top side of the plate. The bores/slots can be interleaved. Fasteners, such as
screws (e.g., wood screws), bolts (e.g., carriage bolts or lag bolts), anchors
(e.g., masonry anchors or drywall anchors), or nails, may be inserted through
the bores and/or slots and into a wall in order to secure the bracket to the
wall.
The bores can be counterbores with enlarged openings to receive the heads of
the fasteners to reduce interference with a surface panel mounted over the
plate.
[0030] A distal end of the rod may extend outwardly from the front side of the
plate. Specifically, the distal end of the rod may extend outwardly from the
front
side of the plate in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a plane
formed
by the flat back side of the plate. Hence, when the bracket is mounted, the
rod
may extend outwardly from the front side of the plate in a direction that is
substantially orthogonal to a plane formed by the wall. The rod can be a pipe
to
reduce weight of the bracket.
[0031] The rod may also comprise an aperture for a fastener. A shelf with a
channel to receive the rod can be slid onto the rod until the shelf contacts
the
front side of the plate or until the distal end of the rod contacts an end of
the
channel. The shelf may have an aperture fora fastener that lines up with the
rod's aperture for a fastener when the shelf is properly situated on the rod
so
that a fastener can be inserted through the shelf's aperture and the rod's
aperture in order to secure the shelf to the rod.
[0032] The plate may form a rectangular prism. The width of the rectangular
prism formed by the plate can be greater than the height of the rectangular
prism, while the height of the rectangular prism may be greater than the depth
of
the rectangular prism. Optionally, the width of the plate may be no greater
than
the width of the shelf and the height of the plate may be no greater than the
height of the shelf in order to reduce visibility of the bracket when the
shelf is
secured to the wall using the bracket.
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[0033] Referring to FIGs. 1-15, a bracket 10 and a floating shelf 14 in an
example of the invention are shown. The bracket 10 mounts the floating shelf
14 to a vertical surface, such as a wall 16 (FIGs. 7-10). The bracket 10 can
comprise a solid plate 18 with a planar back side 22 to abut to the wall 16
and a
planar front side 26. The plate 18 is solid from the planar front side 26 to
the
planar back side 22, and from a front surface to a back surface, except for
apertures as described below. The plate 18 is solid as opposed to tubes or
channels that have a hollow interior, or a space between the front and back
surfaces. The solid plate 18 can provide strength with minimal thickness to
facilitate hiding the bracket 10. The solid plate 18 can have an elongated
rectangular shape with a rectangular perimeter. The solid plate 18 can form a
rectangular prism, with a width of the rectangular prism being greater than a
height of the rectangular prism, and the height of the rectangular prism being
greater than a depth of the rectangular prism. Thus, the plate 18 can be sized
and shaped to support an elongated lateral shelf 14. In one aspect, the plate
can have a thickness or depth of approximately 1/4 inch.
[0034] A plurality of circular apertures 30 can each extend through the solid
plate 18 from the planar front side 26 and through the planar back side 22 of
the
solid plate 18. In one aspect, the plate 18 can be formed of metal, such as
being cut from bar stock. In another aspect, the apertures 30 can be formed by
drilling or laser cutting.
[0035] A plurality of rods 34 can be secured to the solid plate 18 and can
extend
from the solid plate 18. Each rod 34 can have a proximal end 38 received
within
a different one of the plurality of circular apertures 30. Thus, each aperture
30
can have a respective rod 34 extending therefrom. Each rod 34 can be
cylindrical and a respective aperture 30 can be cylindrical. A cross-sectional
diameter of the rod 34 is substantially equal to a cross-sectional diameter of
the
respective aperture 30. In one aspect, the proximal ends 38 of the rods 34 can
be flush with the planar back side 22 of the solid plate 18 and substantially
flush
with the wall 16. In addition, the rods 34 do not extend past the plate 18 so
that
the wall is not marred and extra holes in the wall are not required. In one
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aspect, the rods 34 can be formed of metal, such as cut from bar stock. In
another aspect, the rods 34 can be pipes. The pipes can have a hollow interior
to reduce the weight with respect to solid rods, and can reduce the weight of
the
bracket 10 and the force exerted on the connection to the wall.
[0036] The proximal ends 38 can be joined to the plate 18 at the back side 22
of
the plate 18 and around a cross-sectional perimeter that is shared between the
apertures 30 and the rods 34 by welds 40. Since the cross-sectional perimeter
of the apertures 30 is circular, the welds 40 (FIG. 4) can be circumferential
and
circular. As shown, the welds 40 can traverse the entire cross-sectional
.. perimeter (e.g., circumference) of the apertures 30, thereby encompassing
the
cross-sectional perimeter. Thus, the plurality of circumferential welds 40
each
join the proximal end 38 of each respective rod 34 to the planar back side 22
of
the plate 18 around a perimeter of the respective circular aperture 30. And
the
plurality of circumferential welds 40 is locate at the planar back side 22 of
the
plate 18. In one aspect, the welds 40 can be fill welds and ground so that the
welds 40 also are flush with the back side 22 of the plate 18 and the wall 16.
The extension of the rods 34 through the plate 18 and the position of the
welds
40 on the back side 22 of the plate 18 enable the rods 34 to support more
shelf
weight than brackets in which elongate members are merely spot-welded to the
front of a base.
[0037] The bracket 10 can receive and support the shelf 14. The shelf 14 can
have a solid top surface 42, a solid bottom surface 46, a solid left surface
50, a
solid right surface 54 and a solid front surface 58. The solid surfaces can
conceal the bracket 10. The shelf 14 can also have a back side 62 to abut to
the wall 16. The shelf 14 also has an indentation 66 in the back side 62 that
is
sized and shaped to receive the solid plate 18 completely therein. The shelf
14
also has a plurality of bores 70 or channels in the indentation 66 each sized
and
shaped to receive a corresponding rod 34. Thus, the entire bracket 10 can be
received in the shelf 14 to hide the bracket 10 from view.
[0038] In one aspect, the plate 18 can have at least one cutout 74 (FIG. 13)
at a
lateral end. A recess 78 (FIG. 13) can be formed between an interior perimeter
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of the indentation 66 and an exterior perimeter of the solid plate 18 defined
by
the cutout 74. The cutout 74 and the recess 78 can be sized to receive a tool
to
help separate the bracket 10 from the shelf 14. Thus, the shelf 14 and the
bracket 10 can be shipped together with the bracket 10 received in the shelf
14,
and the cutout 74 and the recess 78 facilitating separation and removal of the
bracket 10 from the shelf 14 for mounting.
[0039] In one aspect, a width of the plate 18 is no greater than a width of
the
shelf 14 and a height of the plate 18 is no greater than a height of the shelf
14 in
order to reduce visibility of the bracket 10 when the shelf 14 is secured to
the
wall using the bracket 10. In another aspect, the plate 18 can have a height
less than or equal to 1 inch while the shelf 14 can have a height or thickness
of
at least 1 1/4 inches. In another aspect, the plate 18 can have a height less
than or equal to 1 1/4 inches while the shelf 14 can have a height or
thickness
of at least 1 1/2 inches. In another aspect, the plate 18 can have a height
less
than or equal to 1 1/2 inches while the shelf 14 can have a height of at least
1
3/4 inches. Thus, a perimeter lip 76 (FIG. 13) can be formed by the shelf 14
that extends around the indentation 66 to hide the plate 18 and be
sufficiently
thick to resist breakage of the perimeter lip 76. In one aspect, a thickness
of the
perimeter lip 76 can be at least 1/8 inches. In addition, the height of the
plate
18 allows dimensional lumber to be used for the shelf 14.
[0040] The bracket 10 and the plate 18 can have bores through the plate 18 to
receive fasteners 80 (FIG. 7-10) to secure the bracket 10 to the wall 16. An
array of countersunk bores 82 can extend through the solid plate 18 and
arranged in series and extending laterally from one lateral side of the solid
plate
18 to an opposite lateral side of the solid plate. The countersunk bores 82
can
have enlarged openings to receive a head of the fastener 80 so that the head
is
received in the volume of the plate 18 to resist interference of the head with
the
shelf 14 or surface panels, as described below. In one aspect, the enlarged
opening can be tapered. In another aspect, the enlarged opening can define a
step in the bore 82 which the head of the fastener 80 can abut to in order to
fasten the plate 18 and the bracket 10 to the wall 16. In one aspect, the
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countersunk bores of the array of countersunk bores 82 can be spaced-apart by
4 inches from proximal bores. Thus, a number of bores 82 can be provided to
strengthen the shelf 14 and the connection of the bracket 10 to the wall 16.
In
addition, the bores 82 can correspond to stud spacing based on a standard 16
inch spacing.
[0041] In addition, the bores can comprise an array of slots 86 extending
through the solid plate 18 and arranged in series and extending laterally from
one lateral side of the solid plate 18 to an opposite lateral side of the
solid plate.
In one aspect, the slots 86 can be laterally elongated and can have a lateral
width between 7/8 and 1.77 inches. In another aspect, many of the slots 86 can
be provided in pairs. For example, a pair of slots 86 can be positioned
between
proximal bores 82. The bores 82 and the slots 86 of the arrays of bores and
slots 82 and 86 can be interleaved with one or more slots 86 between proximate
bores 82 and one or more bores 82 between proximate slots 86 or slot pairs.
The size and location of the bores 82 and the slots 86 can provide multiple
strong attachments to the wall and frequent alignment with studs in the wall.
[0042] The bores 82 and the slots 86, and thus the fasteners, can be
positioned
closer to the top side of the plate 18. Positioning the bores 82 and the slots
86
at the top of the plate 18 positions the fasteners closer to the top of the
plate 18
and utilized the bottom of the plate 18 to abut to the wall to resist torque
loads
on the bracket 10 and the plate 18 due to downward vertical loads on the shelf
14, such as the weight of objects on the shelf.
[0043] The bores 82 and slots 86 can be separated by intervening portions of
the plate 18, such as webs 90. Thus, an array of webs 90 can be positioned in
the plate 18 and interleaved between proximate bores 82 and slots 86. In one
aspect, each web 90 can have a lateral width less than or equal to % inch.
Thus,
the spacing between proximate bores 82 and slots 86 can be less than % inch.
Therefore, the bores 82 and/or the slots 86 can be positioned to align with
available studs of the wall 16. In addition, the webs 90 on either side of a
rode
34, and between a rod 34 and a proximate bore 82 and/or slot 86, can be less
than % inch. Therefore, the fasteners 80 can be positioned proximate the rods
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34 to reduce torque loading at the interface or connection between the rods 34
and the plate 18.
[0044] In another aspect, the rods 34 can have a center-line indicia, such as
a
notch 94 (FIG. 3) or scribe. The indicia or notch 94 can pass vertically
through
a center-line of each rod 34. The indicia or notch 94 facilitates measuring a
distance between two rods 34. Thus, the rod spacing can be measured for
drilling the bores 70 or channels in the shelf 14.
[0045] FIGs. 7 and 8 illustrate a method for hanging and mounting the
bracket10
on the wall 16. Blocking 98 can be secured between studs 102 in the wall 16.
The bracket 10 and the plate 18 can be placed against the blocking 98 and the
studs 102. The plate 18 can be secured to the blocking 98 and the studs 102
with fasteners 80 extending through the countersunk bores 82 of the array of
countersunk bores 82, and into the blocking 98 and the studs 102. The array of
bores 82 provides multiple attachment points between the plate 18 and the wall
16 fora strong mount. A surface panel 106 can be placed over the plate 18 with
the rods 38 extending through holes in the surface panel 106. The surface
panel 106 can be drywall, shiplap, etc. The countersunk bores 82 allow the
heads of the fasteners 80 to be recessed into the plate 18 so that the surface
panel 106 can be positioned flush with the plate 18. Thus, the plate 18 can be
subsurface mounted in an interior of the wall 16 and behind the surface panel
106. The shelf 14 can be slid onto the bracket 10 with the bores 70 receiving
the rods 34 and the indentation 66 receiving the plate 18. The bracket 10 can
be used in new construction or remodels, i.e. before finished surface panels
106
are installed. Securing the bracket 10 and the plate 18 directly to the
blocking
98 and/or the studs 102 can provide greater strength. The array of bores 82
provides multiple attachment points.
[0046] FIGs. 9 and 10 illustrate a method for hanging and mounting the bracket
10 on the wall 16. The studs 102 can be located in the wall 16 behind the
surface panel 106. The bracket 10 and the plate 18 are placed against the
surface panel 102 of the wall 16. Thus, the plate 18 can be surface mounted to
an exterior of the wall 16. At least two slots 86 can be aligning with a
different
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one of the studs 102. The plate 18 can be secured to the wall 16 with
fasteners
80 extending through the at least two slots 86, through the surface panel 106
and into the studs 102. The shelf 14 can be slid onto the bracket 10 with the
bores 70 receiving the rods 34 and the indentation 66 receiving the plate 18.
The bracket 10 can be used on finished surfaces and existing construction. The
array of slots 86 provides easier alignment with existing stud locations.
[0047] The bracket 10 and the plate 18 can be provided in a number of
different
lateral widths or lengths, such as 10", 14", 18", 22", 26", 30", 34", 38",
42", 46",
50", 54", 58", 70" or 78" in order to suite the desired shelf width or length.
The
bracket 10 and the plate 18 can be provided with a number of different rods,
such as 2, 3, 4 or 5 rods. As described above, the plate 18 can have a height
of
approximately 1", 1 1/4" or 1 3/4". In addition, the plate 18 can have a
thickness
of approximately 1/4" or 3/8". The rods 34 can have a length or depth of
approximately 6" to 10" from the front side 26 of the plate 18 and a diameter
of
approximately 1/2" to 3/4". The pipes 34 can have a wall thickness of
approximately 0.12". The slots 86 can be approximately 0.20" high and 7/8-
1.77" long, and can be spaced 1 5/8" on center. In another aspect, the rods 34
can be located approximately 2" from the ends of the plate 18 to reduce torque
loads. Thus, the bracket 10 and the plate 18 can have at least one bore 82
and/or slot 86 a rod 34 and the end of the plate 18 to facilitate mounting.
[0048] Referring to FIGs. 16, in one aspect, the bracket 110 and the plate 118
can have a lower array of bores and/or slots 186 positioned near a lower edge
or bottom of the bracket 110 and the plate 118. The bores and/or slots 186 can
extend through the solid plate 118 and can be arranged in series extending
laterally from one lateral side of the solid plate 118 to an opposite lateral
side of
the solid plate. The bores and/or slots 186 can be countersunk. Positioning
the
bores and/or slots 186 at the bottom of the plate 118 can position a fasteners
closer to the bottom of the plate 118 to utilize the top of the plate 118 to
abut to
the wall to resist torque loads on the bracket 110 and the plate 118 due to
upward vertical loads on the shelf 14. While most loading on the shelf 14 is
anticipated to be vertically downward due to the weight of objects on the
shelf
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14, there may be circumstances where a vertically upward force is applied,
such
as someone lifting the shelf. In addition, in the case where the upper bores
82
and upper slots 86 are cut into the plate 118 with a laser, the lower bores
and/or
slots 186 can reduce or resist warpage of the plate 118 due to the heat
generated by the laser cutting by balancing the heat across the plate 118.
[0049] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular
forms
"a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates
otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a layer" includes a plurality of
such
layers.
.. [0050] In this disclosure, "comprises," "comprising," "containing" and
"having"
and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law and can
mean "includes," "including," and the like, and are generally interpreted to
be
open ended terms. The terms "consisting of" or "consists of' are closed terms,
and include only the components, structures, steps, or the like specifically
listed
in conjunction with such terms, as well as that which is in accordance with
U.S.
Patent law. "Consisting essentially of" or "consists essentially of" have the
meaning generally ascribed to them by U.S. Patent law. In particular, such
terms are generally closed terms, with the exception of allowing inclusion of
additional items, materials, components, steps, or elements, that do not
materially affect the basic and novel characteristics or function of the
item(s)
used in connection therewith. For example, trace elements present in a
composition, but not affecting the composition's nature or characteristics
would
be permissible if present under the "consisting essentially of" language, even
though not expressly recited in a list of items following such terminology.
When
using an open ended term in the specification, like "comprising" or
"including," it
is understood that direct support should be afforded also to "consisting
essentially of" language as well as "consisting of" language as if stated
explicitly
and vice versa.
[0051] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in the
description
and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar
elements
and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological
order.
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It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under
appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for
example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or
otherwise described herein. Similarly, if a method is described herein as
comprising a series of steps, the order of such steps as presented herein is
not
necessarily the only order in which such steps may be performed, and certain
of
the stated steps may possibly be omitted and/or certain other steps not
described herein may possibly be added to the method.
[0052] The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "over,"
"under," and
the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for
descriptive
purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It
is
to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate
circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example,
capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise
described herein.
[0053] The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as directly or
indirectly
connected in an electrical or nonelectrical manner. Objects described herein
as
being "adjacent to" each other may be in physical contact with each other, in
close proximity to each other, or in the same general region or area as each
other, as appropriate for the context in which the phrase is used. Occurrences
of the phrase "in one embodiment," or "in one aspect," herein do not
necessarily
all refer to the same embodiment or aspect.
[0054] As used herein, the term "substantially" refers to the complete or
nearly
complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state,
structure,
item, or result. For example, an object that is "substantially" enclosed would
mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely
enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness
may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally
speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall
result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of
"substantially" is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to
refer
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to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property,
state, structure, item, or result. For example, a composition that is
"substantially
free of' particles would either completely lack particles, or so nearly
completely
lack particles that the effect would be the same as if it completely lacked
particles. In other words, a composition that is "substantially free of" an
ingredient or element may still actually contain such item as long as there is
no
measurable effect thereof.
[0055] As used herein, "adjacent" refers to the proximity of two structures or
elements. Particularly, elements that are identified as being "adjacent" may
be
either abutting or connected. Such elements may also be near or close to each
other without necessarily contacting each other. The exact degree of proximity
may in some cases depend on the specific context.
[0056] As used herein, the term "about" is used to provide flexibility to a
numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be "a little
above"
or "a little below" the endpoint. It is understood that express support is
intended
for exact numerical values in this specification, even when the term "about"
is
used in connection therewith.
[0057] It is to be understood that the examples set forth herein are not
limited to
the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed, but are
extended
to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in
the
relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein
is
used for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not
intended
to be limiting.
[0058] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may
be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples. In the
description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of
lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of the
technology being described. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize,
however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the
specific
details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other
instances,
8254399
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-03-08
- 15 -
well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in
detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
[0059] While the foregoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the
invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those
of
ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and
details of
implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and
without departing from the principles and concepts described herein.
Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by
the
claims set forth below.
8254399
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-03-08
