阅读说明：本技术 把手 (Handle bar ) 是由 雅各布·D·西尔斯比 于 2019-05-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种把手包含具有通槽和偏置部件的连接器部分。所述通槽限定行进路径。所述偏置部件邻近于所述通槽并沿着所述行进路径延伸。所述通槽被配置成收纳锚固件的远端部分。所述偏置部件被配置成沿着所述行进路径在行进方向上使所述远端部分偏置。(A handle includes a connector portion having a channel and a biasing member. The channel defines a travel path. The biasing member is adjacent to the channel and extends along the path of travel. The channel is configured to receive a distal portion of an anchor. The biasing member is configured to bias the distal end portion in a direction of travel along the path of travel.)

1. A handle assembly, comprising:

a handle manually positionable in a storage position and in different carrying positions, the handle including first and second through slots defining first and second travel paths, respectively, and first and second biasing members extending along the first and second travel paths, respectively, and extending into the first and second through slots, respectively,

a first anchor having a first distal end portion positioned inside the first channel, the first biasing member configured to apply a first biasing force to the first distal end portion, the first biasing force biasing the first distal end portion in a first direction of travel along the first path of travel; and

a second anchor having a second distal end portion positioned inside the second through slot, the second biasing member configured to apply a second biasing force to the second distal end portion, the second biasing force biasing the second distal end portion in a second direction of travel along the second path of travel, the handle being transitioned from the storage position to the carrying position by pulling the handle, which causes the first distal end portion to move in the first direction of travel along the first path of travel by way of the first biasing force and the second distal end portion to move in the second direction of travel along the second path of travel by way of the second biasing force, the handle being transitioned from the carrying position to the storage position from the carrying position by pushing the handle with sufficient force to overcome the first and second biasing forces, this causes the first distal end portion to move along the first path of travel in a third direction of travel opposite the first direction of travel and causes the second distal end portion to move along the second path of travel in a fourth direction of travel opposite the second direction of travel.

2. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the first anchor has a first proximal end portion spaced apart from the first distal end portion,

the first proximal end portion is capable of being mounted at a first location,

the first anchor rotates about the first proximal portion when the first proximal portion is mounted at the first position and the first distal portion moves in the first or third travel direction,

the second anchor has a second proximal end portion spaced from the second distal end portion,

the second proximal end portion is mountable at a second location, an

The second anchor rotates about the second proximal portion when the second proximal portion is mounted at the second location and the second distal portion is moved in the second or fourth travel direction.

3. A handle assembly according to claim 2 for use with a beverage container, wherein the first and second positions are on the beverage container,

the first and second distal portions position the handle closer to the beverage container when the handle is in the storage position than when the handle is in the carrying position,

the first distal portion moves outwardly away from the beverage container when the first distal portion moves in the first direction of travel and the first anchor rotates about the first proximal portion,

the first distal portion moves inwardly toward the beverage container when the first distal portion moves in the third direction of travel and the first anchor rotates about the first proximal portion,

the second distal portion moves outwardly away from the beverage container when the second distal portion moves in the second direction of travel and the second anchor rotates about the second proximal portion, an

The second distal portion moves inwardly toward the beverage container as the second distal portion moves in the fourth travel direction and the second anchor rotates about the second proximal portion.

4. The handle assembly of claim 1 for use with a beverage container, wherein the first anchor has a first proximal end portion spaced from the first distal end portion, the second anchor has a second proximal end portion spaced from the second distal end portion, and the handle assembly further comprises:

a first carrier configured to be mounted on the beverage container, a first gap being defined between the first carrier and the beverage container, the first proximal portion being positionable within the first gap and rotatable therein when the first distal portion is moved in the first or third travel direction; and

a second carriage configured to be mounted on the beverage container, a second gap defined between the second carriage and the beverage container, the second proximal portion positionable within the second gap and rotatable in the second gap as the second distal portion moves in the second or fourth travel direction.

5. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the first biasing member is a first leaf spring and the second biasing member is a second leaf spring.

6. The handle assembly of claim 5, for use with a beverage container, wherein the first anchor has a first proximal portion spaced apart from the first distal portion,

the second anchor has a second proximal end portion spaced from the second distal end portion,

the first and second proximal end portions are mountable to the beverage container,

the first leaf spring extends along the first channel and has the first distal portion abutting a first surface of the first channel,

the first surface is configured to face the beverage container,

the second leaf spring extends along the second channel with the second distal end portion abutting a second surface of the second channel, an

The second surface is configured to face the beverage container.

7. A handle assembly according to claim 6 wherein the first surface is inclined towards the beverage container along the first direction of travel, and

the second surface slopes toward the beverage container along the second direction of travel.

8. A handle, comprising:

a first connector portion including a first channel defining a first travel path and a first biasing member adjacent to and extending along the first channel, the first channel configured to receive a first distal end portion of a first anchor, the first biasing member configured to bias the first distal end portion in a first direction of travel along the first travel path.

9. The handle of claim 8, further comprising:

a second connector portion comprising a second channel defining a second travel path and a second biasing member adjacent to the second channel and extending along the second travel path, the second channel configured to receive a second distal end portion of a second anchor, the second biasing member configured to bias the second distal end portion in a second direction of travel along the second travel path.

10. The handle of claim 9, further comprising:

a grip positioned between the first connector portion and the second connector portion, the grip configured to be grasped by a user.

11. The handle of claim 10, wherein the first and second connector portions are configured to be mounted to a beverage container via the first and second anchors, respectively,

the first and second anchors are each rotatable relative to the beverage container to place the handle in a storage position and a carrying position,

the handle is closer to the beverage container in the storage position than in the carrying position.

12. The handle of claim 11, wherein the first biasing member is a first leaf spring,

the first leaf spring extends along the first channel and has the first distal portion abutting a first surface of the first channel,

the first surface is configured to face the beverage container,

the second biasing member is a second leaf spring, and

the second leaf spring extends along the second channel with the second distal end portion abutting a second surface of the second channel, an

The second surface is configured to face the beverage container.

13. The handle of claim 12, wherein the first surface is configured to slope toward the beverage container along the first direction of travel, and

the second surface is configured to slope toward the beverage container along the second direction of travel.

14. A beverage container, comprising:

a side wall; and

a handle assembly comprising a handle and first and second anchors, the first and second anchors each attached to both the sidewall and the handle, the handle positionable by the first and second anchors in a storage position and a carrying position relative to the sidewall, the handle being closer to the sidewall in the storage position than in the carrying position, the handle comprising a first channel and a first leaf spring, the first anchor comprising a first proximal portion rotatably mounted on the sidewall and a first distal portion positioned inside the first channel and biased in a first direction of travel by the first leaf spring, the handle comprising a second channel and a second leaf spring, the second anchor comprising a second proximal portion and a second distal portion rotatably mounted on the sidewall, the second distal end portion is positioned within the second through slot and biased in a second direction of travel by the second leaf spring, the first and second anchors transitioning the handle toward the carrying position when the first and second anchors travel in the first and second directions of travel, respectively, and the first and second anchors transitioning the handle toward the storage position when the first anchor travels in a third direction of travel opposite the first direction of travel and the second anchor travels in a fourth direction of travel opposite the second direction of travel.

15. The beverage container of claim 14, wherein the beverage container is a thermos.

16. The beverage container of claim 14, wherein the first anchor rotates about the first proximal portion in a first rotational direction as the first distal portion moves in the first direction of travel,

the first anchor rotates about the first proximal end portion in a third rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction as the first distal end portion moves in the third travel direction,

the second anchor rotates about the second proximal end portion in a second rotational direction when the second distal end portion moves in the second direction of travel, and

the second anchor rotates about the second proximal end portion in a fourth rotational direction opposite the second rotational direction as the second distal end portion moves in the fourth travel direction.

17. The beverage container of claim 16, wherein the first distal portion moves outwardly away from the beverage container as the first anchor rotates about the first proximal portion in the first rotational direction,

the first distal portion moves inwardly toward the beverage container as the first anchor rotates about the first proximal portion in the third rotational direction,

the second distal portion moves outwardly away from the beverage container when the second anchor rotates about the second proximal portion in the second rotational direction, and

the second distal portion moves inwardly toward the beverage container as the second anchor rotates about the second proximal portion in the fourth rotational direction.

18. The beverage container of claim 14, further comprising:

a first bracket configured to be mounted on the sidewall, a first gap being defined between the first bracket and the sidewall, the first proximal portion being positionable within the first gap and rotatable therein as the first distal portion moves in the first or third travel direction; and

a second carriage configured to be mounted on the sidewall, a second gap defined between the second carriage and the sidewall, the second proximal portion positionable within the second gap and rotatable in the second gap as the second distal portion moves in the second or fourth travel direction.

19. The beverage container of claim 14, wherein the first leaf spring extends along the first channel and abuts the first distal portion against a first surface of the first channel,

the first surface faces the side wall,

the second leaf spring extends along the second channel with the second distal end portion abutting a second surface of the second channel, an

The second surface faces the sidewall.

20. The beverage container of claim 19, wherein the first surface is inclined toward the beverage container along the first direction of travel, and

the second surface slopes toward the beverage container along the second direction of travel.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to handles, and more particularly to handles for use with beverage containers.

Background

Beverage containers such as thermos bottles are often provided with a handle. Some of the handles are configured to move between a storage position and a carrying position. Therefore, new handle designs are needed. A handle configured to transition between a storage position and a carrying position is particularly desirable. These and other advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container having a handle assembly illustrated in a storage configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a beverage container having a handle assembly illustrated in a carrying configuration.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the handle assembly in the storage configuration.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view of the handle assembly in a carrying configuration.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the handle assembly.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the handle and upper and lower anchors of the handle assembly illustrated in the storage configuration.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the handle and upper and lower anchors of the handle assembly illustrated in the storage configuration.

The same reference numbers have been used in the drawings to identify similar elements.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate a beverage container 100 having a sidewall 102 and a handle assembly 104 attached to the sidewall 102. Although the beverage container 100 has been illustrated as a conventional thermos bottle, this is not a requirement. The handle assembly 104 is selectively and manually transitionable from a storage configuration (see fig. 1 and 3) to a carrying configuration (see fig. 2 and 4), and vice versa. The handle assembly 104 may be characterized as being foldable from a carrying configuration (see fig. 2 and 4) to a storage configuration (see fig. 1 and 3).

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the handle assembly 104. As shown in fig. 5, the handle assembly 104 includes a handle 110 and upper and lower anchors 112, 114. Optionally, the handle assembly 104 may include an upper bracket 116 and a lower bracket 118. Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the upper and lower brackets 116, 118 may be attached to the side walls 102 by one or more fasteners 120 (see fig. 5).

Referring to fig. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower brackets 116, 118 each include an upper portion 122 and a lower portion 124. The intermediate portion 126 is positioned between and interconnects the upper portion 122 and the lower portion 124. Referring to fig. 5, the upper portion 122 and the lower portion 124 may each be substantially planar and may include one or more openings 128 configured to receive the fasteners 120. Referring to fig. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion 122 and the lower portion 124 are attached to the sidewall 102 (e.g., by the fasteners 120 illustrated in fig. 5). The intermediate portions 126 of the upper and lower brackets 116, 118 may be bent or curved to define a U-shape. The middle portion 126 of the upper bracket 116 is spaced from the sidewall 102 and defines an upper gap 130 between the upper bracket 116 and the sidewall 102. Similarly, the middle portion 126 of the lower bracket 118 is spaced from the side wall 102 and defines a lower gap 132 between the lower bracket 118 and the side wall 102.

Handle bar

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the handle 110 has an inner portion 136 facing toward the sidewall 102 and an outer portion 138 facing away from the sidewall 102. The handle 110 has an upper connector portion 140 opposite a lower connector portion 142. A grip 144 is positioned between the upper connector portion 140 and the lower connector portion 142. The grip 144 is configured to be grasped by a user.

The upper and lower connector portions 140, 142 include laterally extending upper and lower channels 150, 152, respectively. The upper and lower through slots 150, 152 are positioned between the inner and outer portions 136, 138 of the handle 110. Referring to fig. 4, the upper channel 150 defines a first travel path (identified by arrow P1) for the upper anchor 112, and the lower channel 152 defines a second travel path (identified by arrow P2) for the lower anchor 114. Referring to fig. 3, each of the upper and lower through slots 150, 152 has an interior surface 154 facing the sidewall 102.

Referring to fig. 7, the handle 110 includes one or more biasing members 160 and 162, which may each be implemented as a leaf spring. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 110 includes an upper biasing member 160 and a lower biasing member 162 that extend outwardly into the upper and lower channels 150, 152, respectively. The upper biasing member 160 extends along a first travel path (identified by arrow P1) defined by the upper channel 150, and the lower biasing member 162 extends along a second travel path (identified by arrow P2) defined by the lower channel 152. Referring to fig. 6, in the illustrated embodiment, biasing members 160 and 162 are positioned in upper and lower through-holes 164 and 166, respectively. An upper through-hole 164 and a lower through-hole 166 extend from the interior portion 136 of the handle 110 into the upper channel 150 and the lower channel 152, respectively. Accordingly, referring to fig. 7, the upper biasing member 160 may be bent within the upper through-hole 164 (see fig. 5 and 6) and the upper through-slot 150 in a first outward direction (identified by arrow a 1) and a first inward direction opposite the first outward direction. Similarly, the lower biasing member 162 may flex within the lower through-hole 166 (see fig. 5 and 6) and the lower channel 152 in a second outward direction (identified by arrow a 2) and a second inward direction opposite the second outward direction.

Upper and lower anchors

Referring to fig. 5, the upper anchor 112 and the lower anchor 114 are substantially identical to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper anchor 112 and the lower anchor 114 each have a generally rectangular outer shape. The upper anchor 112 and the lower anchor 114 each have a proximal portion 170 opposite a distal portion 172.

The proximal end portion 170 is connected to the beverage container 100 (see fig. 1 and 2). Referring to fig. 3, proximal end portions 170 of the upper and lower anchors 112, 114 are positioned inside the upper and lower gaps 130, 132, respectively, defined between the side walls 102 and the upper and lower brackets 116, 118, respectively. Thus, the upper bracket 116 positions the proximal end portion 170 of the upper anchor 112 at a first (upper) position of the sidewall 102 (see fig. 1-4). Similarly, the lower bracket 118 positions the proximal end portion 170 of the lower anchor 114 at a second (lower) location on the sidewall 102 (see fig. 1-4). The proximal portions 170 of the upper and lower anchors 112, 114 are configured to be rotatable within the upper and lower gaps 130, 132, respectively. Referring to fig. 4, the upper anchor 112 rotates in a first rotational direction (identified by curved arrow a 3) when transitioning from the storage configuration (see fig. 1 and 3) to the carrying configuration (see fig. 2 and 4). The upper anchor 112 rotates in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction when transitioning from the carried configuration to the stowed configuration. The lower anchor 114 rotates in a third rotational direction (identified by curved arrow a 4) when transitioning from the storage configuration (see fig. 1 and 3) to the carrying configuration (see fig. 2 and 4). The lower anchor 114 rotates in a fourth rotational direction opposite the third rotational direction when transitioning from the carried configuration to the stowed configuration.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the distal portions 172 of the upper and lower anchors 112, 114 extend through the upper and lower channels 150, 152, respectively, of the handle 110. Referring to fig. 5, the upper and lower anchors 112, 114 each have a first side portion 180 and a second side portion 182 that connect the proximal and distal portions 170, 172 together. Referring to fig. 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the proximal portion 170 includes a gap 174 bifurcating the proximal portion 170 and defining opposing end portions 176 and 178. The first side portion 180 connects a first portion 184 of the proximal portion 170 to the distal portion 172, and the second side portion 182 connects a second portion 186 of the proximal portion 170 to the distal portion 172. The first portion 184 extends from the first side portion 180 to the first end portion 176. The second portion 186 extends from the second side portion 182 to the second end portion 178.

Referring to fig. 5, as a non-limiting example, the upper anchor 112 and the lower anchor 114 may each be formed by bending a rod or wire to define a generally rectangular outer shape. For example, a first rod or wire may be inserted into the upper channel 150 of the handle 110. The first rod or wire can then be bent to define the distal portion 172 of the upper anchor 112. Next, the first rod or wire can be bent to define the first and second side portions 180, 182 and the first and second portions 184, 186 of the proximal end portion 170 of the upper anchor 112 (see fig. 6). The first side portion 180 and the second side portion 182 of the upper anchor 112 may then be bent outwardly away from each other to widen the gap 174 (see fig. 6) and spread the end portions 176 and 178 (see fig. 6) farther apart. When the end portions 176 and 178 (see fig. 6) of the upper anchor 112 are sufficiently spaced apart, the end portions can be inserted into the upper gap 130 (see fig. 3). The first side portion 180 and the second side portion 182 of the upper anchor 112 may then be allowed to return to their normal shape. Alternatively, referring to fig. 3, prior to attachment of the upper bracket 116 to the sidewall 102, the middle portion 126 of the upper bracket 116 may be positioned adjacent to the distal portion 172 of the upper anchor 112. The upper bracket 116 can then be attached to the sidewall 102, capturing the distal portion 172 of the upper anchor 112 in the upper gap 130.

Similarly, referring to fig. 5, a second rod or wire may be inserted into the lower channel 152 of the handle 110. The second rod or wire can then be bent to define the distal portion 172 of the lower anchor 114. Next, the second rod or wire can be bent to define the first and second side portions 180, 182 and the first and second portions 184, 186 of the proximal end portion 170 of the lower anchor 114 (see fig. 6). The first side portion 180 and the second side portion 182 of the lower anchor 114 may then be bent outwardly away from each other to widen the gap 174 (see fig. 6) and spread the end portions 176 and 178 (see fig. 6) farther apart. When the end portions 176 and 178 (see fig. 6) of the lower anchor 114 are sufficiently spaced apart, they can be inserted into the lower gap 132 (see fig. 3). The first side portion 180 and the second side portion 182 of the lower anchor 114 may then be allowed to return to their normal shape. Alternatively, referring to fig. 3, prior to attachment of the lower bracket 118 to the sidewall 102, the middle portion 126 of the lower bracket 118 may be positioned adjacent to the distal portion 172 of the lower anchor 114. The lower bracket 118 can then be attached to the sidewall 102, capturing the distal portion 172 of the lower anchor 114 in the lower gap 132.

As a non-limiting example, the upper anchor 112 and the lower anchor 114 may each be implemented as a D-ring or similar structure.

Operation of

Referring to fig. 7, arrow P1 (identifying a first travel path) indicates an upper first direction of travel of the distal portion 172 of the upper anchor 112 when the handle assembly 104 is transitioned from the storage configuration (see fig. 1 and 3) to the carrying configuration (see fig. 2 and 4). On the other hand, when the handle assembly 104 is transitioned from the carrying configuration (see fig. 2 and 4) to the storage configuration (see fig. 1 and 3), the distal end portion 172 of the upper anchor 112 travels in an upper second direction of travel opposite the upper first direction of travel.

Similarly, the arrow P2 (identifying the second path of travel) indicates a lower first direction of travel of the distal end portion 172 of the lower anchor 114 when the handle assembly 104 is transitioned from the storage configuration (see fig. 1 and 3) to the carrying configuration (see fig. 2 and 4). When the handle assembly 104 is transitioned from the carrying configuration (see fig. 2 and 4) to the storage configuration (see fig. 1 and 3), the distal end portion 172 of the lower anchor 114 travels in a lower second direction of travel opposite the lower first direction of travel.

When the user wishes to transition the handle 110 from the storage position (see fig. 1 and 3) to the carrying position (see fig. 2 and 4), the user pulls the handle 110 outward. The upper and lower biasing members 160, 162 facilitate the snap fit of the handle 110 outward and away from the sidewall 102 (see fig. 1-4). The upper biasing member 160 applies a first biasing force to the distal portion 172 of the upper anchor 112 in a first outward direction (identified by arrow a 1). The first biasing force biases the distal end portion 172 of the upper anchor 112 toward an upper first direction of travel (indicated by arrow P1). Simultaneously, the lower biasing member 162 applies a second biasing force in a second outward direction (identified by arrow a 2) to the distal end portion 172 of the lower anchor 114. The second biasing force biases the distal end portion 172 of the lower anchor 114 toward a lower first direction of travel (indicated by arrow P2). Thus, when the user begins to move the handle 110 from the (collapsed) storage position (see fig. 1 and 3) to the (expanded) carrying position (see fig. 2 and 4), the upper and lower biasing members 160 and 162 urge the distal portions 172 of the upper and lower anchors 112 and 114, respectively, in the upper and lower first directions of travel (indicated by arrows P1 and P2), respectively. As the distal end portions 172 of the upper and lower anchors 112, 114 slide within the upper and lower channels 150, 152, respectively, in upper and lower first directions of travel (indicated by arrows P1, P2), respectively, the proximal end portions 170 of the upper and lower anchors 112, 114 rotate in the upper and lower gaps 130, 132, respectively, in first and third directions of rotation (identified by curved arrows A3, a4, respectively, in fig. 4). When this occurs, the distal portions 172 of the upper and lower anchors 112, 114 push the handle 110 outward, causing the handle 110 to be ejected from the storage position (see fig. 1 and 3) to the carrying position (see fig. 2 and 4).

When the user wishes to transition the handle 110 from the carrying position (see fig. 2 and 4) to the storage position (see fig. 1 and 3), the user presses the handle 110 toward the sidewall 102 (see fig. 1 to 4) with sufficient force to overcome both the first and second biasing forces. This causes the distal end portions 172 of the upper and lower anchors 112 and 114 to travel in upper and lower second directions of travel, respectively, opposite the upper and lower first directions of travel indicated by arrows P1 and P2, respectively. Thus, the distal end portions 172 of the upper and lower anchors 112, 114 slide within the upper and lower channels 150, 152, respectively, in the upper and lower second directions of travel. As the upper and lower anchors 112, 114 move in these directions, the proximal end portions 170 of the upper and lower anchors 112, 114 rotate in the upper and lower gaps 130, 132, respectively, in second and fourth rotational directions (opposite the first and third rotational directions identified by curved arrows A3 and a4, respectively, in fig. 4). This movement pulls the handle 110 inwardly toward the sidewall 102 (see fig. 1-4) and places the handle 110 in the storage position. In this manner, the handle assembly 104 is folded from the carrying configuration (see fig. 2 and 4) to the storage configuration (see fig. 1 and 3).

The upper and lower biasing members 160, 162 can help to resist the upper and lower anchors 112, 114, respectively, from wobbling because the upper and lower biasing members 160, 162 continuously apply the first and second biasing forces, respectively, to the distal portions 172 of the upper and lower anchors 112, 114, respectively. Thus, the distal portions 172 of the upper and lower anchors 112, 114 abut the interior surfaces 154 of the upper and lower channels 150, 152, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior surfaces 154 of the upper channels 150 slope toward the side wall 102 (see fig. 1-4) along a first path of travel in an upper first direction of travel (indicated by arrow P1), and the interior surfaces 154 of the lower channels 152 slope toward the side wall 102 along a second path of travel in a lower first direction of travel (indicated by arrow P2).

The foregoing embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is actually "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, further changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," etc.). It will also be understood by those with skill in the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrasesShould not be construed asThe introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite article "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, is typically interpreted to mean at least the recited numberOften meaning at least two enumerations or two or more enumerations).

Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.