Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
TONNEAU COVER SYSTEM AND
MULTI-LINK AND/OR OVER-CENTER CLAMP
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in part of United States
Patent Application
No. 14/875,911 filed on October 6, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional
Application No. 62/060,637, filed on October 7, 2014. In addition, this
application claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/323,134, filed on April 15,
2016.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to tonneau covers for vehicles.
More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to a clamp system for use in a
tonneau cover
system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present
disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] Tonneau covers have been used for a number of years to cover the cargo
box of pickup trucks against dirt, debris, and other environmental
contaminants and to
= improve the aesthetic quality thereof. Originally, tonneau covers were
designed by
upholstery shops and typically made of vinyl covered fabrics or canvas. Male
snaps were
then attached to the sides of the cargo box of the pickup truck via fasteners,
while female
= snaps were attached along the edges of the cover. Unfortunately, these
covers
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were sometimes difficult to handle and/or manufacture and occasionally failed
to protect
the cargo box.
[0005] More recently, foldable tonneau covers are often more desirable in
that
they conveniently cover the bed of the pickup truck for cargo protection. For
access to
the cargo bed, the foldable tonneau cover may be folded toward the passenger
cabin
(or other location).
[0006] By way of example, existing clamp systems generally employ a wing
nut
clamp arrangement, and/or spring biased clamp arrangement to fasten the
tonneau
cover in place relative to the pickup truck. The clamps typically hook onto
the
downwardly projecting (metal) flange of the truck bed. Such clamps, in the
case of the
cam lock arrangement, are adjustable by rotating a threaded cam pivot to
permit
attachment of the clamps to pickup trucks with differing length downwardly
projecting
flanges. The other clamping systems can use threaded portions or other
telescoping
type mechanisms to provide a length adjustment feature.
[0007] However, these clamping systems lead to various problems or
failures
when used with more recent pickup truck bed designs. For instance, many of the
newer
sidewall flanges of pickup truck beds can become deformed under the extreme
load that
can be exerted by clamping systems. In fact, several new vehicles being
designed are
contemplating changes to the flange material or reducing the flange thickness.
The
result might be a less structural flange which could be distorted when using
typical
tonneau clamp designs clamped to such downwardly extending flanges of the
truck bed
box. Consequently, as a conventional tonneau cover clamp is tightened in
place, a user
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can exert sufficient force that causes the sidewall flange of the pickup truck
bed to
become permanently deformed.
[0008] Accordingly, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a
tonneau
cover system capable of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.
Additionally,
there exists a need to provide sufficient retention capability to retain the
tonneau cover
on the pickup truck bed without causing permanent deformation.
SUMMARY
[0009] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is
not a
comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
[0010] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a tonneau cover
system
is provided for a cargo box of a pickup truck. The cargo box can include a
ledge having
an underside and a flange extending downwardly from the ledge. The tonneau
cover
system can include a tonneau cover and a clamp. The tonneau cover can be
configured
to cover the cargo box, The clamp can be configured to secure the tonneau
cover to the
cargo box. The clamp can comprise a first link, a clamping link, and a handle
member.
The first link can be slidably coupled to the tonneau cover. The clamping link
can have a
first end and a clamping surface remote from the first end. The clamping link
can be
pivotably coupled to the first link. The handle member can be pivotably
coupled to the
first link and the clamping link. The handle member can be moveable between a
lowered position and an upper position. Movement of the handle member can
cause the
clamping link to pivot relative to the first link to raise the clamping
surface from an
unclamped position to a clamped position. In the clamped position, the
clamping surface
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can be positionable to apply a clamping force against the underside of the
ledge of the
cargo box.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tonneau
cover
clamp is provided for clamping a tonneau cover to a cargo box of a pickup
truck. The
cargo box can include a ledge having an underside and a flange extending
downwardly
from the ledge. The tonneau cover system a tonneau cover and a clamp. The
tonneau
cover can be configured to cover the cargo box. The clamp can be configured to
secure
the tonneau cover to the cargo box. The clamp can comprise a first link, a
clamping link,
and a handle member. The first link can have a first coupling and a second
coupling that
are slidably coupled to the tonneau cover. The clamping link can have a first
end and a
clamping surface remote from the first end. The clamping link can be pivotably
coupled
to the first link. The handle member can include a first pivot link. The first
pivot link can
be pivotably coupled to the handle member at a first pivot joint and to the
first link at a
second coupling. A second pivot joint can pivotably couple the handle member
to the
clamping link. The handle member can be moveable between a lowered position
and an
upper position. Movement of the handle member from the lowered position to the
upper
position can cause the clamping link to pivot relative to the first link to
raise the clamping
surface from an unclamped position to a clamped position without lateral
movement of
the clamping link towards the first link. In the clamped position, the
clamping surface
can be positionable to apply a clamping force against the underside of the
ledge of the
cargo box.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tonneau
cover
system is provided for clamping a tonneau cover to a cargo box of a pickup
truck. The
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cargo box can include a ledge having an underside and a flange extending
downwardly
from the ledge. The tonneau cover system includes a tonneau cover and a clamp.
The
tonneau cover can be configured to cover the cargo box. The clamp can be
configured
to secure the tonneau cover to the cargo box. The clamp can comprise a first
link, a
clamping link, and a handle member. The first link can be slidably coupled to
the
tonneau cover. The handle member can be pivotably coupled to the first link at
a first
pivot joint. The clamping link can have a first end and a clamping surface
remote from
the first end. The first end of the clamping link can be pivotably coupled to
the handle
member. The handle member can be moved between a lowered position and an upper
position. Movement of the handle member from the lowered position to the upper
position can cause the clamping link to pivot relative to the first link to
raise the clamping
surface from an unclamped position to a clamped position without lateral
movement of
the clamping link towards the first link. In the clamped position, the
clamping surface
can be positionable to apply a force against the underside of the ledge of the
cargo box.
[0013] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from
the description
provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are
intended for
purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present
disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0014] The drawings described herein are for illustrative
purposes only of
selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not
intended to
limit the scope of the present disclosure.
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[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tonneau cover system
covering a cargo
box and utilizing one of the exemplary clamps in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of one of the exemplary
embodiments of a
tonneau clamp in accordance with the present disclosure in an unclamped
position;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a partial top-down prospective view of the
exemplary tonneau
clamp of FIG. 2 in an unclamped position;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a partial prospective view of the exemplary
tonneau cover
system of FIG. 1, wherein the exemplary tonneau clamp is in an unclamped
position;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the exemplary tonneau cover
system of FIG.
1, wherein the exemplary tonneau clamp is in an unclamped position;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the exemplary tonneau clamp
of FIG. 2 in a
clamped position;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a partial top-down prospective view of the
exemplary tonneau
clamp of FIG. 2 in an clamped position;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a side plan view of the exemplary tonneau cover
system of FIG.
1, wherein the exemplary tonneau clamp is in a clamped position;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a partial prospective view of the exemplary
tonneau cover
system of FIG. 1, wherein the exemplary tonneau clamp is in a clamped
position;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a partial prospective view of an exemplary
tonneau clamp in an
unclamped position;
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[0025] FIG. 11 is a partial prospective view of the exemplary tonneau
clamp of
FIG. 10 in an intermediate position between the unclamped position and the
clamped
position;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a partial prospective view of the exemplary tonneau
clamp of
FIG. 10 in a clamped position;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a partial prospective view of an exemplary tonneau
clamp in an
unclamped position;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a partial prospective view of the exemplary tonneau
clamp of
FIG. 13 in an unclamped position; and
[0029] FIG. 15 is a side plan view of the exemplary tonneau clamp of FIG.
13 in a
clamped position.
[0030] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to
the accompanying drawings.
[0032] FIGS. 1-9 illustrate one exemplary tonneau cover system 10 for
covering a
truck bed or a cargo box 11. The tonneau cover system 10 comprises a tonneau
cover
14 and a clamp 34.
[0033] As seen in FIG 1, in some instances, the truck bed or cargo box 11
can be
part of a pickup truck 13. As shown in Figs 4, 5, and 6, the cargo box 11 can
comprise a
sidewall 16 including a ledge 18 having an underside and/or interior surface
19, a flange
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20 extending downwardly from the ledge 18, and an outboard wall 21 extending
downwardly from the ledge 18. The ledge 18 can laterally extend from the
outboard wall
21, and the flange 20 can be spaced inboard from the outboard wall 21. The
flange 20
can include an outboard face or side 22 facing the sidewall 16, an inboard
face or side
24 opposite the outboard side 22, and a bottom side or edge 26 facing
downward.
[0034] In some instances, the tonneau cover 14 can include a plurality of
sections
12 foldable between a deployed arrangement covering the cargo box 11 and a
folded
arrangement wherein the sections 12 are stacked, allowing access to the cargo
box 11.
In some instances, each section 12 of the tonneau cover 14 can comprise a
plurality of
frame and/or bow members 31 that together may form a rectangular frame
supporting a
fabric, textile, or other flexible sheet material spanning the frame 31. In
some instances,
the tonneau cover 14 may include sections formed of rigid panels that are
hinged to
allow the sections to be folded into a stack. Other tonneau cover 14
configurations are,
of course, possible.
[0035] In some instances, the bow members 31 of the tonneau cover system 10
can comprise an extruded metal rail having a C-shaped cross-section defining a
longitudinal internal channel 28 with a longitudinally extending central
opening 30. The
channel 28 and opening 30 can extend longitudinally along the length of the
frame
member 31 across the cargo box 11. The frame members 31 can define a central
or
main longitudinal axis 29 thereof.
[0036] The clamp 34 includes a first link 36, a clamping link 38, and a
handle
member 40, which move relative to one another between an unlocked, unclamped,
or
unlatched position and a locked, clamped, or latched position.
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[0037] The first link 36 can be slidably coupled to the tonneau cover 14
(FIGS. 4-
and 8-9). The first link 36 can comprise a first coupling 42 and a second
coupling 44.
The first coupling 42 and the second coupling 44 can be slidably coupled to
the tonneau
cover 14. In some instances, the first coupling 42 and the second coupling 44
may
comprise barrel members captured within the channel 28. Barrels can be
integrally
formed with both or either of the first coupling 42 and the second coupling
44. Each
barrel can be generally cylindrical in shape. Each barrel can slide along the
longitudinal
axis of the channel 28.
[0038] While in the unclamped position, the first coupling 42 and the
second
coupling 44 of the first link 36 can be slid within the channel 28 to move the
clamp 34
axially along the frame member 31 (e.g., inboard or outboard). With the handle
member
40 in an undamped position, the clamping end or surface 48 of the clamp 34 can
clear
the flange 20 and align with an interior surface 19 of the ledge 18.
[0039] The clamping link 38 can comprise a first or proximal portion,
end, or
section 46 pivotably coupled to the first link 36 and a clamping or distal
surface, portion,
or end 48 remote from the first end 46. In some instances, the first end 46 of
the
clamping link 38 can be pivotably coupled to the first coupling 42 of the
first link 36.
[0040] The clamping surface 48 of the clamping link 38 can include a
portion 50
extending upwardly at an angle relative to the first end 46 of the clamping
link 38 and
towards the tonneau cover 14. The first end 46 of the clamping link 38 can
define a first
main, central, or longitudinal axis 52. The upwardly extending portion 50 can
generally
define a second main, central, or longitudinal axis 54. The first longitudinal
axis 52 and
the second longitudinal axis 54 can define the upwardly extending portion 50
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therebetween. The upwardly extending portion 50 can be less than or equal to
90 , such
that the first end 46 of the clamping link 38 and the clamping surface 48 of
the clamping
link 38 can generally form an "L" shape, a "U" shape, or "V" shaped valley,
recess,
channel, or space therebetween. The upwardly extending portion 50 can align
the
clamping surface 48 with the interior surface 19 of the ledge 18.
[0041] In some instances, the flexible member 62 can provide a V
shaped
clamping surface 48 with a rectangular longitudinally (generally vertically)
extending
portion and a rectangular laterally (generally horizontally) extending
portion. The
dimensions of the clamping surface 48 are large enough to eliminate or
minimize
permanent deformation of the ledge 18 and the flange 20 under the loads
transmitted by
the clamp 34 from the tonneau cover 14 to the ledge 18 and the flange 20
during normal
vehicle operation.
[0042] In some instances, the clamping surface 48 comprises a distal
member or
platform having a first rigid portion 58; a second rigid portion 60 extending
perpendicularly from the first rigid portion 58; and an elastic, resilient, or
flexible
member 62 that can cover a first surface of the first rigid portion 58 and the
second rigid
portion 60. In other instances, the elastic member 62 can cover one of the
first surface
of the first rigid portion 58 or the first surface of the second rigid portion
60. Retention
members 64 can extend through the first rigid portion 58 and the second rigid
portion 60
to couple the elastic member 62 to the rigid portions 58, 60. In some
instances, the
platform 56 can be molded directly to the clamping link 38. In other
instances, the
platform 56 can be molded to have a coupling or cylinder member 66 having a
shape
corresponding to a groove 68 of the clamping link 38 allowing the platform 56
to pivot.
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[0043] The handle member 40 can be pivotably coupled to the first link 36
and
the clamping link 38 and movable between a first, lowered, and/or unclamped
position
and a second, upper, and/or clamped position. The handle member 40 can be
pivotably
coupled to the second coupling 44 of the first link 36. In some instances, a
first pivot link
or bar 70 can connect the handle member 40 and the first link 36. The first
pivot bar 70
can have a first end 72 pivotably coupled to the handle member at a first
pivot joint 76
and a second end 74 pivotably coupled to the second coupling 44 of the first
link 36. A
second pivot joint 78 can pivotably couple the handle member 40 and the
clamping link
38.
[0044] Movement of the handle member 40 causes the clamping link 38 to pivot
relative to the first link 36 to raise the clamping surface from an unclamped
and/or
lowered positioned (FIGS. 2-5) to a clamped and/or upper position (FIGS. 6-9).
Movement of the handle member 40 causes the clamping link 38 to move from the
unclamped position to the clamping position without movement of the clamping
link 38
laterally towards the first link 36. In this case, for example, the clamping
link 38 moves
laterally away from the first link 36.
[0045] As seen in FIG. 2, in the unclamped position the first pivot joint
76 is on a
first side of a line 80 extending between the second pivot joint 78 and the
second
coupling 44 of the first link 36. As seen in FIG. 6, in the clamped position
the first pivot
joint 76 is on a second side opposite the first side of the line 80 in an over-
center
position. In the clamped position, the first link 36 and at least a portion of
the handle
member 40 each extend longitudinally in a direction that is substantially
parallel with
each other.
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[0046] In the clamped position, the clamping surface 48 of the clamping
link 38
can engage the interior surface 19 of the ledge 18 and apply a clamping force
thereto.
In some instances, the underside or interior surface 19 of the ledge 18 has a
first
contacting portion and the clamping surface 48 of the clamping link 38
provides a
second contacting portion that opposes the first contacting portion when the
clamp 34 is
in the clamped position. The interior surface 19 of the ledge 18 and the
clamping
surface 48 of the clamping link 38 are positioned to apply the clamping force
to the
cargo box throughout an area defined by an overlap of the opposing first and
second
contacting portions. The area can have dimensions large enough to avoid
permanent
deformation of the cargo box under loads transmitted by the clamp 34 to the
cargo box
11. In some instances, the clamping link 38 does not contact or does not apply
a force
to the downwardly extending flange 20. The clamping surface 48 does not apply
a force
sufficient to permanently deform the cargo box 11.
[0047] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate another exemplary tonneau clamp 90. The
above
descriptions of the cargo box 11 and the tonneau cover 14 are similarly
applicable in
this instance.
[0048] The clamp 90 comprises a first link 92, a clamping link 94, and a
handle
member 96, which move relative to one another between an unlocked, undamped,
or
unlatched position and a locked, clamped, or latched position.
[0049] The first link 92 can comprise a first coupling 98 and a second
coupling
100. The first coupling 98 and the second coupling 100 can be slidably coupled
to the
tonneau cover 14. Similar to the discussion above, in some instances, the
first coupling
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42 and the second coupling 44 may comprise barrel members captured within and
slidable along the channel 28.
[0050] While in the unclamped position, the first coupling 98 and the
second
coupling 100 of the first link 92 can be slid within the channel 28 to move
the clamp 90
axially along the frame member 31 (e.g., inboard or outboard) and can clear
the flange
20 and align with an underside or interior surface 19 of the ledge 18.
[0051] The clamping link 94 comprises a first or proximal portion, end,
or section
102 and a clamping end 104 that is remote from the first end 102. The clamping
link 94
and is pivotably coupled to the first link 92. In some instances, a second
pivot link or bar
106 can connect the clamping link 94 and the first link 92. The second pivot
bar 106 can
have a first end 108 pivotably coupled to the first coupling 98 of the first
link 92 and a
second end 110 pivotably coupled to the clamping link 94 at an intermediate
point
between the first end 102 and the clamping end 104. The first end 102 of the
clamping
link 94 can be coupled to the first link 92 at an intermediate point between
the first
coupling 98 and the second coupling 100 of the first link 92.
[0052] The above description of the upwardly extending portion 50 of the
clamping link 38 with reference to the first exemplary embodiment is similarly
applicable
in this instance. In general, a clamping platform 56 such as illustrated in
Figs. 2-7 can
be pivotably coupled to the clamping end 104 as previously described. Also as
previously described, the clamping link 94 can include a portion 112 extending
upwardly
at an angle relative to the first end 102 of the clamping link 94 and towards
the tonneau
cover 14. The upwardly extending portion 112 can align the clamping surface
104 with
the interior surface 19 of the ledge 18.
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[0053] The handle member 96 can be pivotably coupled to the first link 92
and
the clamping link 94 and movable between a first, lowered, or undamped
position and a
second, upper, or clamped position. The handle member 96 can be pivotably
coupled to
the second coupling 100 of the first link 92. In some instances, a first pivot
link or bar
114 can connect the handle member 96 and the first link 92. The first pivot
bar 114 can
have a first end 116 pivotably coupled to the handle member 96 at a first
pivot joint 120
and a second end 118 pivotably coupled to the second coupling 100 of the first
link 92.
A second pivot joint 122 can pivotably couple the handle member 96 to an
intermediate
point of the clamping link 94.
[0054] Movement of the handle member 96 causes the clamping link 94 to
pivot
relative to the first link 92 to raise the clamping surface from an unclamped
and/or
lowered positioned (FIG. 10) to a clamped and/or upper position (FIG. 12).
Movement of
the handle member 96 causes the clamping link 94 to move from the unclamped
position to the clamping position without movement of the clamping link 94
laterally
towards the first link 92. In this case, for example, the clamping link 94
moves laterally
away from the first link 92.
[0055] As seen in FIG. 10, in the unclamped position the first pivot
joint 120 is on
a first side of a line 124 extending between the second pivot joint 122 and
the second
coupling 100 of the first link 92. As seen in FIG. 12, in the clamped position
the first
pivot joint 120 is on a second side opposite the first side of the line 124 in
an over-
center position. In the clamped position the first link 92 and at least a
portion of the
handle member 96 each extend longitudinally in a direction that is
substantially parallel
with each other.
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[0056] FIGS.13-15 illustrate another exemplary tonneau clamp 140. The
above
descriptions of the cargo box 11 and the tonneau cover 14 are similarly
applicable in
this instance.
[0057] The clamp 140 comprises a first link 142, a clamping link 144, and
a
handle member 146, coupled together and movable relative to one another
between an
unlocked, unclamped, or unlatched position (Fig. 13) and a locked, clamped, or
latched
position (Fig. 15).
[0058] The first link 142 can be slidably coupled to the tonneau cover
14. The first
link 142 can comprise a first or proximal coupling 148 and a second or distal
coupling
150. The first coupling 148 of the first link 142 can be slidably coupled to
the tonneau
cover 14. While in the unclamped position, the first coupling 148 of the first
link 92 can
be slid within the channel 28 to move the clamp 140 axially along the frame
member 31
(e.g., inboard or outboard). The clamp 140 can clear the flange 20 and align
with an
interior surface 19 of the ledge 18. The second coupling 150 of the first link
142 can
pivotably couple to the handle member 146 via a first pivot joint or pin 156.
[0059] The clamping link 144 comprises a first or proximal portion, end,
or section
152 and a clamping surface 154 remote from the first end 152 and is pivotably
coupled
to the first link 142. The first end 152 of the clamping link 144 can be
pivotably coupled
to the handle member 146 via a second pivot pin or joint 158.
[0060] The above description of the upwardly extending portion 50 of the
clamping link 38 with reference to the first exemplary embodiment is similarly
applicable
in this instance. In general, the clamping surface 154 of the clamping link
144 can
include a portion 160 extending upwardly at an angle relative to the first end
152 of the
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clamping link 144 and towards the tonneau cover 14. The upwardly extending
portion
160 can align the clamping surface 154 with the interior surface 19 of the
ledge 18.
[0061] Movement of the handle member 146 causes the clamping link 144 to
pivot relative to the first link 142 to raise the clamping surface 154 from an
unclamped
and/or lowered positioned (FIGS. 13 & 14) to a clamped and/or upper position
(FIG. 15).
Movement of the handle member 146 causes the clamping link 144 to move from
the
unclamped position to the clamping position without movement of the clamping
link 144
laterally towards the first link 142.
[0062] As seen in FIG. 14, in the unclamped position the second pivot
joint 158 is
on a first side of a line 162 extending between the first pivot joint 156 and
the first
coupling 148 of the first link 142. As seen in FIG. 15, in the clamped
position the second
pivot joint 158 is on a second side opposite the first side of the line 162 in
an over-
center position. In the clamped position, at least a portion of the handle
member 146
and the bow member 31 to which it is attached each extend longitudinally in a
direction
that is substantially parallel with each other.
[0063] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art.
Numerous
specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components,
devices, and
methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present
disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific
details need not be
employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms,
and
that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some
example
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embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-
known
technologies are not described in detail.
[0064] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular
example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein,
the
singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural
forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises,"
"comprising,"
"including," and "having," are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of
stated
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not
preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,
operations,
elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and
operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring
their
performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless
specifically identified
as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or
alternative
steps may be employed.
[0065] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged
to,"
"connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly
on, engaged,
connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or
layers
may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly
on,"
"directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to"
another element or
layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words
used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like
fashion (e.g.,
"between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent,"
etc.). As used
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herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the
associated listed items.
[0066] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein
to describe
various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements,
components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these
terms.
These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region,
layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first,"
"second," and other
numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless
clearly
indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or
section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or
section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
[0067] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath,"
"below,"
"lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of
description to
describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or
feature(s) as
illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to
encompass different
orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation
depicted in
the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,
elements described
as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented
"above" the
other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both
an
orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated
90
degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used
herein
interpreted accordingly.
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CA 2963381 2017-04-05
[0068] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for
purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the
disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are
generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and
can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or
described. The
same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded
as a
departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included
within the scope of the disclosure.
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