Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SURFACE FINISHING TROWELS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS THEREOF
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present disclosure is based on and claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent
Application No. 63/325,223 filed March 30, 2022.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to surface finishing trowels and
specifically to rotary
power trowels for finishing concrete.
BACKGROUND
[0003] U.S. Patent No. 4,710,055 discloses a riding-type surface working
machine
includes a pair of rotors each of which carries a plurality of trowels or
surface working members.
Each rotor includes a transmission unit and power from the engine is
transmitted through each
transmission unit to rotate the individual rotors.
[0004] U.S. Patent No. 4,784,519 discloses a directional control mechanism
for a surface
working machine. The surface working machine includes a frame that carries at
least a pair of
rotors each having a vertical rotatable shaft. Surface working means,
including a plurality of
radially extending blades, is operably connected to the shaft and rotates
therewith.
[0005] U.S. Patent No. 5,096,330 discloses a pitch control mechanism for a
surface
finishing machine. The machine includes a series of tillable horizontal blades
carried by a rotor
and the blades are adapted to rotate in contact with and finish a concrete
surface. The pitch control
mechanism for tilting the blades includes an internally threaded sleeve
located within the handle
of the machine.
SUMMARY
[0006] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that
are further
described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to
identify key or
essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be
used as an aid in limiting
the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0007] In certain examples, a trowel for finishing a material surface
includes a blade
configured to finish the material surface. A pitch angle is defined between
the blade and the
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material surface, and a frame has a motor is coupled thereto. The motor
rotates the blade about a
first axis. A fork is pivotably coupled to the frame about a second axis such
that pivoting of the
fork about the second axis changes the pitch angle. An actuator is coupled to
the frame and
operable to pivot the fork. An input device is operable to control the
actuator, and the input device
is configured to be operated to thereby actuate the actuator and change the
pitch angle of the blade.
[0008] In certain examples, a method for adjusting pitch angle of a trowel
used for
finishing a material surface includes providing a frame on which a motor is
coupled. The motor
rotates the blade about a first axis and the pitch angle is defined between
the blade and the material
surface. The method also includes mounting a fork to the frame such that fork
pivots about a second
axis such that pivoting the fork changes the pitch angle of the blade and
actuating an actuator with
an input device to thereby pivot the fork and change the angle.
[0009] Various other features, objects, and advantages will be made
apparent from the
following description taken together with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present disclosure is described with reference to the following
Figures. The
same numbers are used throughout the Figures to reference like features and
like components.
[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional surface finishing
trowel.
[0012] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an example surface finishing trowel
according to
present disclosure.
[0013] Fig. 3 is another perspective view of the trowel depicted in Fig. 2
without blades.
[0014] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the trowel depicted in Fig. 2
along line 4-4 of
Fig. 2.
[0015] Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main body of the trowel
depicted in Fig.
2.
[0016] Fig. 6 is another enlarged perspective view of a main body of the
trowel depicted
in Fig. 2.
[0017] Fig. 7 is an enlarged side view of the main body of the trowel
depicted in Fig. 2
with a bolt of the actuator in a first bolt position.
[0018] Fig. 8 is a view like Fig. 7 with the bolt in a second bolt
position.
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[0019] Fig. 9 is a side view of the trowel depicted in Fig. 2 with the
blades in a minimum
blade pitch position and an actuator in an extended first position.
[0020] Fig. 10 is a view like Fig. 9 with the blades in an intermediate
blade pitch position
and the actuator in an intermediate position.
[0021] Fig. 11 is a view like Fig. 9 with the blades in a minimum blade
pitch position and
the actuator in a retracted second position.
[0022] Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a housing of the trowel
depicted in Fig.
3 within line 12-12 on Fig. 3.
[0023] Fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a crossbar of the trowel
depicted in Fig.
3 within line 13-13 on Fig. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring to Fig. 1, an exemplary conventional surface finishing
trowel 10 is
depicted. The trowel 10 includes a main body 11, a handle 12 extending away
from the main body
11, and material working blades 13 operably coupled to the main body 11. The
blades 13 are
rotated by a drive shaft (not depicted) that extends vertically downwardly
along a center axis 14
from a motor 16 (e.g., internal combustion motor) that rotates the drive
shaft. As the blades 13 are
rotated, the blades 13 finish (e.g., smooth) the material surface (e.g.,
concrete surface). A safety
cage 15 covers the blades 13 and is configured to prevents objects (e.g., a
foot of an operator) from
contacting the blades 13.
[0025] As noted above, the handle 12 extends from the main body 11 and is
further
engaged by the operator that controls and maneuvers the trowel 10 on the
material surface. The
handle 12 includes a first end 21 connected to the main body 11 and an
opposite second end 22
having a crossbar 23 that is grasped by the operator. A mechanical pitch
mechanism 24 is coupled
to the handle 12 and the blades 13 and is for changing the pitch of the blades
13 relative to the
material surface. In the example depicted, the pitch mechanism 24 includes a
toothed wheel 25
positioned on the handle 12 near the second end 22 thereof. The operator
rotates the toothed wheel
25 to thereby cause the pitch mechanism 24 to pivot each blade 13 about its
respective longitudinal
axis and the material surface. For instance, the blades 13 can be moved from a
generally horizontal,
minimum blade pitch position (e.g., 0.0 degrees pitch) one or more blade pitch
positions in which
the blades 13 are each pitched an angle relative to the material surface
(e.g., a maximum blade
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pitch position having a pitch of 20.0 degrees). The operator rotates the
toothed wheel 25 to thereby
move the blades 13 into and between different blade pitch positions and
thereby change the manner
in which the blades 13 work the material surface. As such, the operator can
achieve the desired
finish of the material surface (e.g., a concrete surface is smoothed). In one
specific example, as the
material (e.g., concrete) hardens, the operator gradually increases the pitch
of the blades 13 to
thereby decrease the surface area of the blades 13 contacting the material
surface and increase the
weight per area force the blades 13 apply to the material surface. Note that
as the blades are moved
into different blade pitch positions, the surface area of the blades 13
engaging the material surface
changes. Reference is made to U.S. Patents Nos. 4,784,519 and 5,096,330 for
descriptions of
example conventional trowels.
[0026] Applicants have recognized that operators using conventional
trowels must remove
one of their hands from the crossbar to engage the pitch mechanism when
adjusting the pitch of
the blades. During this adjustment, the operator only has one hand on the
crossbar and may not be
able to control the trowel as well as when the operator has both hands on the
crossbar. That is,
when the operator uses one hand to engage the pitch mechanism, the operator
must now maneuver
and control the trowel with only one hand as the blades continue to spin and
move along the
material surface. This presents potential problems which may include losing
control of the trowel.
For example, losing control of the trowel could cause damage to previously
finished areas of the
material surface thereby decreasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the
troweling process. In
addition, certain operators may not have adequate upper body strength to
control the trowel with
only one hand. Accordingly, through research and experimentation, the
Applicants endeavored to
develop improved trowels that incorporate systems and components that are
improvements over
conventional trowels and help reduce or eliminate the problems described
above. In particular, the
Applicants endeavored to develop systems and components that allow an operator
to adjust the
pitch of blades while still maintaining control of the trowel. As a result,
the Applicants developed
the below-described trowels, systems, components, and methods of the present
disclosure.
[0027] Referring now to Figs. 2-4, an example trowel 40 according to the
present
disclosure is depicted. The trowel 40 includes a main body 41 with a motor 39
(depicted
schematically as dashed box on Fig. 2) that rotates a drive shaft 42 (Fig. 3).
The drive shaft 42 is
coupled to a plurality of blades 50 (also depicted as dashed box on Fig. 6;
note that the blades 50
are excluded from Fig. 3 for clarity) that finish the material surface. The
trowel 40 also includes a
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safety cage 51 (depicted schematically as a single dashed lines on Fig. 2)
around the blades 50.
The main body 41 further includes a frame 43 on which the motor (not depicted)
is supported. The
drive shaft 42 extends vertically away from the frame 43, and the frame 43
includes opposing
support members 44 that are configured to pivotably hold a fork 45 relative to
the frame 43.
[0028] Referring now to Figs. 5-6, the fork 45 has legs 47 that extend in
a direction toward
the drive shaft 42 (arrow C on Fig. 5) and one leg 47 is on either side of the
drive shaft 42 (see
Fig. 4). The fork 45 also has an arm 48 that extends in the opposite direction
of the legs 47 and
away from the drive shaft 42 (see arrow A on Fig. 5). As such, the fork 45 is
pivotable about a
horizontal axis 46. The legs 47 engage a spider assembly 27 (Fig. 4) which is
coupled to the blades
50 and as such movement of the legs 47 causes the spider assembly 27 to act on
and change the
pitch of the blades 50. Reference is made to U.S. Patents No. 4,710,055 and
4,784,519 for
descriptions of example conventional spider assemblies for changing the pitch
of trowel blades.
[0029] A handle 70 is coupled to the frame 43, and a support bracket 49 of
the frame 43
and the handle 70 both extend away from the frame 43 and parallel to each
other same direction
(see arrow D on Fig. 5). An actuator 60 is connected between the support
bracket 49 and the arm
48 of the fork 45 (see Fig. 6). As will be described in greater detail herein
below, the actuator 60
is configured to move the arm 48 relative to the support bracket 49 to thereby
pivot the fork 45
about the axis 46 and adjust the pitch of the blades 50 (see for example Fig.
6 which depicts one
of the blades 50 schematically in dashed lines). The actuator 60 can be any
suitable device capable
of pivoting the fork 45 and being mounted between the support bracket 49 and
the fork 45. The
actuator 60 is capable of moving the fork 45 relative to the support bracket
49 and as described
herein. In one non-limiting example, the actuator 60 is an electric piston
having a cylinder and a
piston rod. In another non-limiting example, the actuator 60 is a linear
actuator. In another non-
limiting example, the actuator 60 is a hydraulic actuator. Examples of
publicly available actuator
60 that may be used with the trowel 40 of the present disclosure are
manufactured by Midwest
Motion Products (e.g., part no. MMP LA3-24V-40-A-50). Note that Figs. 5-6
depict the actuator
60 in an extended first position such that the fork 45 is in a minimum pitch
position corresponding
to a minimum pitch angle (described further herein). In certain examples, a
shroud 62 (see Fig. 6)
is provided to protect at least a portion of the actuator from damage and/or
contact with debris and
liquids. In one instance in which the actuator includes a cylinder and a
piston rod, the shroud 62 is
configured to cover the cylinder when the actuator 60 is in the retracted
position (Fig. 11) and
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cover the piston rod extending out from the cylinder when the actuator 60 is
in the extended
position (Fig. 9).
[0030] The present inventors have recognized that the blades 50 and
subsequent
replacement blades may have different geometric features and thus the position
of the actuator 60
relative to the support bracket 49 may need to be changed to account for the
different blades 50.
To address these considerations, the trowel 40 of the present disclosure the
support bracket 49
includes a slot 55 in which a bolt 56 of the actuator 60 is slidably received.
The slot 55 includes a
first slot end 58 and an opposite second slot end 59. The operator of the
trowel 40 of the present
disclosure can adjust and/or optimize the position of the actuator 60 by
moving the bolt 56 in the
slot 55 to different positions. As such, the actuator 60 can be advantageously
located such that
actuation of the actuator 60 will cause pitch adjustment of the blades 50
while being moved into
and between an extended first position (see Fig. 9) and a retracted second
position (see Fig. 11).
In other words, pitch adjustment occurs while the actuator 60 moves through
all positions between
the first and second positions without instances of moving between positions
not causing pitch
adjustment. As such, the actuator 60 causes the blades 50 to be moved into a
wide range of blade
pitch positions and be oriented at different pitch angles relative to the
working surface. An example
sequence for adjusting the position of the bolt 56 and is described in greater
detail herein below
with reference to Figs. 7-8.
[0031] Fig. 7 depicts the trowel 40 when a replacement set of blades 50
(see Fig. 2) are
attached to the trowel 40 and the blades 50 are placed on a flat, horizontal
surface. The fork 45 is
in a horizontal position and the blades 50 will have no pitch relative to the
horizontal surface. The
bolt 56 of the actuator 60 is fixed in a first bolt position at the first end
58 of the slot 55. Note that
the bolt 56 is initially secured in the first bolt position as this was the
position set for the old
removed set of blades. However, as depicted in Fig. 7, when the new blade 50
are coupled to the
trowel 40, the actuator 60 is in an intermediate position (see also Fig. 10)
between the extended
first position (see Fig. 9) and the second position (see Fig. 11). This
intermediate position is not
necessarily optimal, and in the event the actuator 60 is actuated toward the
first position (Fig. 9),
the legs 47 of the fork 45 would pivot away (see arrow M) from the blades 50
thereby not changing
the pitch of the blades 50 and/or making contact with the frame 43. As such,
the efficiency of the
actuator 60 to cause pivoting of the blades 50 as it moves between its first
position (Fig. 9) and its
second position (Fig. 11) is reduced because as the actuator 60 is moved into
and between the
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intermediate position (Fig. 7) and the first position (Fig. 9), pitch
adjustment of the blades 50 does
not occur.
[0032] To optimize pitching of the blades 50, an operator adjusts the
position of the bolt
56. The operator loosens the nut (not depicted) coupled to the bolt 56 and
slides the bolt 56 toward
the first slot end 59 until the bolt 56 is in a second bolt position between
the ends 58, 59 and the
actuator 60 is in its first position (Fig. 8) with the blades 50 resting flat
against a surface. The
operator then tightens the bolt 56 to thereby secure the bolt 56 in the second
bolt position.
Accordingly, when the actuator 60 is actuated, the actuator 60 moves from the
first position (Fig.
8) toward the second position (Fig. 11) and thereby causes the legs 47 of the
fork 45 to pivot and
the blades 50 (Fig. 2) to pitch. In this manner, the pitch adjustment of the
blades 50 occurs while
the actuator 60 is actuated within its full range of motion between the first
position (Fig. 9) and
the second position (Fig. 11). Thus, the range of to pitch angle for the
blades 50 is maximized.
Also note that in certain examples, the slot 55 advantageously accounts for
manufacturing
tolerances of the support bracket 49 and/or the actuator 60.
[0033] Referring now to Figs. 9-13, an example operation sequence for
pitching the blades
50 is depicted. To start the trowel 40, the operator activates the engine
(e.g., pulling the pull cord
of the engine, flipping a switch to turn the engine "ON") to thereby rotate
the drive shaft 42 and
plurality of blades 50. The operator then grasps the handgrips 72 (Fig. 13)
and maneuvers the
trowel 40 along the material surface while the plurality of blades 50 rotate.
As the operator
maneuvers the trowel 40, the material surface is "worked" by the blades 50.
The operator may
wish to change the pitch of blades 50 to apply more or less pressure via the
blades 50 to the material
surface. Accordingly, the user engages one or more input devices, e.g.,
switches 81A-B, of an
input module 80 (Fig. 13) to actuate the actuator 60 and adjust the pitch of
the blades 50. The input
module 80 (Fig. 13) is adjacent to the handgrip 72 and the operator simply
moves their thumb to
engage the input module 80 keeping their fingers and/or palm on the handgrip
72. As such, the
operator is capable of maintaining two hands on the crossbar 71 (Fig. 13) and
control of the trowel
40 while also adjusting the pitch of the blades 50.
[0034] Fig. 9 depicts the blades 50 in the minimum blade pitch position
and the actuator
60 in the extended first position. In the minimum blade pitch position pitch,
the blades 50 have a
minimum pitch angle relative to the material surface (e.g., the minimum pitch
angle is 0.0 degrees
between the blade 50 and the contact surface). As the operator engages one or
more switches 81,
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the actuator 60 is actuated to move toward the retracted second position (Fig.
11) and the pitch
angle (see angle Q on Fig. 10) of the blades 50 increases. For example, as
depicted in Fig. 10, the
actuator 60 is moved into an intermediate position in which the legs 47 of the
fork 45 are pivoted
toward the blades 50 (see second pivot direction arrow N) and the blades 50
have a first pitch angle
Q relative to the material surface.
[0035] As depicted in Fig 11, further actuation of the actuator 60 moves
the actuator 60
from the intermediate position (Fig. 10) to the second retracted position
(Fig. 11). The actuator 60
does not move past the second position and the actuator 60 cannot further
pivot the fork 45 about
the axis 46 in a pivot direction (arrow M). When the fork 45 is in the maximum
pitch position, the
blades 50 have a maximum pitch angle (see angle P) angle relative to the
contact surface. In one
embodiment, the maximum pitch angle is 20.0 degrees between the blade 50 and
the contact
surface.
[0036] Referring to Fig. 12, a middle portion of the handle 70 is depicted
in greater detail.
A battery 65 (depicted in dashed lines) is contained within a housing 66 that
is coupled to the
handle 70, and the housing 66 has an operable cover 67 that covers the battery
65. In certain
examples, the battery is a rechargeable battery. A socket 68 (depicted in
dashed lines) that
releasably secures the battery 65 to the housing 66 and/or the handle 70. The
socket 68 includes
electrical components that permit the electrical energy stored in the battery
65 to power the actuator
60 (Fig. 2) via an electrical system (not shown) that is also connected
between the battery 65, the
actuator 60 (Fig 2), and the input module 80. The electrical system can
include conventional
electrical components, such as wires and circuit boards. Note that in certain
examples, the battery
65, the actuator 60 (Fig 2), lights 69, and the input module 80 are
electrically independent from
other electrical components (e.g., a battery or an alternator of the engine)
of the trowel 40. A
locking mechanism 63 secures the cover to the housing 66 in a closed position.
When the cover
67 is in the closed position (as depicted in Fig. 12), the cover 67 protects
the battery 65 and the
socket 68 from debris.
[0037] Lights 69 are connected to the housing 66 and are for illuminating
the material
surface. The lights 69 preferably include light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The
lights 69 are pivotally
connected to the housing 66 such that the operator can direct light in a
desired direction. In one
example, the lights 69 are powered by separate, internal batteries. In other
examples, the lights are
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Date recue/Date received 2023-03-27
connected to the electrical system that connects the battery 65 to the
actuator 60, and accordingly,
the lights 69 are powered by the battery 65.
[0038] Referring to Fig. 13, the crossbar 71 of the handle 70 is depicted
in greater detail.
The crossbar 71 includes at least one handgrip 72 that is grasped by the
operator and an input
module 80 connected to the crossbar 71 that is configured to receive an input
from the operator.
The input module 80 includes one or more input devices, e.g., switches 81A-B,
and is adjacent to
one of the handgrips 72. As such, the operator can selectively operate the
switches 81A-B to
thereby adjust the pitch of the blades 50 (as described above). The switches
81A-B are preferably
located close to the handgrip 72 such that the operator can maintain hold of
the handgrip 72 while
engaging the switches 81A-B. For example, the operator can use their thumb to
operate the
switches 81A-B while their palm and fingers remain on the handgrip 72. Thus,
the operator is able
to keep two hands on the crossbar 71 and/or the handgrip 72 while changing the
pitch of the blades
50. Accordingly, the operator maintains good control of the trowel 40 even
when adjusting the
pitch of the blades 50.
[0039] The input device could any suitable device such as switches (as
noted above),
joysticks, potentiometers, rheostats, sliders, and the like. In examples where
the input device is a
switch 81A-B, the switch 81A-B may be a toggle switch, tactile switch, rocker
switches, single
pole single throw (SPST) switches, and double pole double throw (DPDT)
switches. Note that
while the present disclosure describes the use of switches 81A-B as the input
device, any other
input device can be utilized. The switches 81A-B are connected to part of the
electrical system
noted above that connects the battery 65 to the actuator 60. In one example, a
first switch 81A is
for moving the actuator in a direction from the extended position (Fig. 9) to
the second position
(Fig. 11) thereby increasing the pitch angle of the blades 50. A second switch
81B is for moving
the actuator in a direction from the second position (Fig. 11) to the extended
position (Fig. 9)
thereby decreasing the pitch angle of the blades 50. In another example, a
first switch 81A is for
decreasing or increasing the pitch angle of the blades 50 (e.g., a DPDT open
center momentary
switch). In this example, the second switch 81B is operated to turn the lights
69 "On" or "Off"
(e.g., a SPST on-off switch).
[0040] In certain examples, a trowel for finishing a material surface
includes a blade
configured to finish the material surface, wherein a pitch angle is defined
between the blade and
the material surface. A frame has a motor coupled thereto and the motor
rotates the blade about a
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first axis. A fork is pivotably coupled to the frame about a second axis
whereby pivoting of the
fork about the second axis changes the pitch angle. An actuator is coupled to
the frame and
operable to pivot the fork. An input device operable to control the actuator,
and the input device is
configured to be operated to thereby actuate the actuator and change the pitch
angle of the blade.
[0041] Optionally, the actuator is a linear actuator. Optionally, the
input device is a switch.
Optionally, a battery provides electrical power to the actuator. Optionally,
the battery is a
rechargeable battery. Optionally, the battery, the input device, and the
actuator are electrically
independent of the motor. Optionally, lights are included and the battery
provides electrical power
to the lights. Optionally, a handle is coupled to the frame and has a
crossbar. The crossbar is
configured to be engaged by an operator, and the input device is mounted on
the crossbar.
Optionally, the frame has a slot in which a bolt of the actuator is slidably
received such that the
actuator can be moved into a first position while the pitch angle is at a
minimum pitch angle.
Optionally, the actuator is actuated from the first position toward a second
position to thereby
increase the pitch angle from the minimum pitch angle. Optionally, a handle is
coupled to the
frame and has a crossbar. The crossbar is configured to be engaged by the
operator, and the frame
has a support bracket in which the slot is defined. Optionally, the support
bracket and the handle
extend parallel to each other. Optionally, the actuator is moveable into and
between a first position
that corresponds to the pitch angle at a minimum pitch angle and a second
position that correspond
to the pitch angle at a maximum pitch angle. Optionally, the minimum pitch
angle is 0.0 degrees.
Optionally, a handle is coupled to the frame and having a crossbar that is
configured to be engaged
by an operator, and the input device is mounted on the crossbar. Optionally, a
handle is coupled to
the frame and having a crossbar, the crossbar is configured to be engaged by
an operator, and the
input device is mounted on the crossbar such that the operator can maintain
two-handed
engagement with the crossbar while operating the input device. Optionally, a
spider assembly acts
on the blade when the fork is pivoted to thereby change the pitch angle.
Optionally, the input
device is a first input device that is a switch operable to control the
actuator and light is provided
and a second input device is provided to control the light.
[0042] In certain examples, a method for adjusting pitch angle of a
trowel used for
finishing a material surface includes providing a frame on which a motor is
coupled, wherein the
motor rotates the blade about a first axis and wherein the pitch angle is
defined between the blade
and the material surface; mounting a fork to the frame such that fork pivots
about a second axis,
Date recue/Date received 2023-03-27
wherein pivoting the fork changes the pitch angle of the blade; and actuating
an actuator via an
input device to thereby pivot the fork and change the angle. Optionally, the
method includes
providing a handle mounted to and extending away from the frame, wherein the
handle has a
crossbar that configured to be engaged by an operator; and wherein the input
device is mounted to
the crossbar.
[0043] Citations to a number of references are made herein. In the event
that there is an
inconsistency between a definition of a term in the specification as compared
to a definition of the
term in a cited reference, the term should be interpreted based on the
definition in the specification.
[0044] In the present description, certain terms have been used for
brevity, clarity, and
understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond
the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are
intended to be broadly
construed. The different apparatuses, systems, and method steps described
herein may be used
alone or in combination with other apparatuses, systems, and methods. It is to
be expected that
various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the
scope of the appended
claims.
[0045] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,
including the best
mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the
invention. The patentable
scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other
examples that occur to those
skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of
the claims if they
have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the
claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal
languages of the
claims.
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