阅读说明：本技术 电源插头保持装置 (Power plug holding device ) 是由 L·D·坎农 于 2020-03-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种与被插入电源插座中的电源插头一起使用的电源插头保持装置。电源插头保持装置包括本体,该本体包括沿着本体的插入轴线形成的插入部分和抓握部分。插入部分被成形为楔形物,该楔形物被构造为插入电源插头与电源插座之间的间隙中。抓握部分包括插入力接收表面,该插入力接收表面正交于插入轴线形成并且被构造为在沿着插入轴线的插入方向上从用户接收插入力,从而将楔形物插入和容纳在间隙中,以在楔形物被插入间隙时在楔形物、电源插头和电源插座之间形成过盈配合。(A power plug retention device for use with a power plug inserted into a power outlet is provided. The power plug retention device includes a body including an insertion portion and a gripping portion formed along an insertion axis of the body. The insertion portion is shaped as a wedge configured to be inserted into a gap between the power plug and the power outlet. The gripping portion includes an insertion force receiving surface formed normal to the insertion axis and configured to receive an insertion force from a user in an insertion direction along the insertion axis to insert and receive the wedge in the gap to form an interference fit between the wedge, the power plug, and the power receptacle when the wedge is inserted into the gap.)

1. A power plug retention device for use with a power plug inserted into a power outlet, the power plug retention device comprising:

a body including an insertion portion and a grip portion formed along an insertion axis of the body;

wherein the insertion portion is shaped as a wedge configured to be inserted into a gap between the power plug and the power outlet; and

wherein the gripping portion includes an insertion force receiving surface formed orthogonal to the insertion axis and configured to receive an insertion force from a user in an insertion direction along the insertion axis to insert and receive the wedge in the gap to form an interference fit between the wedge, the power plug, and the power receptacle when the wedge is inserted in the gap.

2. The power plug retention device of claim 1, wherein the wedge is configured to be inserted into the gap between the power plug and the outlet when the power plug is inserted into the power outlet.

3. The power plug retention device of claim 1, further comprising a stop surface configured to contact an outer surface of the power outlet to prevent the power plug retention device from entering the power outlet at a predetermined insertion depth.

4. A power plug retention device according to claim 3, wherein the stop surface is a forward portion of a wall located behind the insertion portion, the wall being formed normal to the insertion axis.

5. A power plug retention device according to claim 4, in which the insertion force receiving surface is a rear portion of the wall.

6. The power plug retention device of claim 1, wherein said gripping portion includes a channel formed in said body, said channel sized to fit a user's finger.

7. A power plug retention device according to claim 6, wherein the insertion force receiving surface is a rear portion of a first wall of the channel, the first wall being located between the insertion portion and the gripping portion of the body.

8. The power plug retention device of claim 7, wherein the withdrawal force receiving surface is a front portion of the second wall of the channel.

9. A power plug retention device according to claim 6, wherein the channel is formed orthogonally to the insertion axis.

10. A power plug retention device according to claim 1, wherein the gripping portion comprises a ring-like structure having an opening oriented orthogonally to the insertion axis.

11. The electrical plug retention device of claim 10, further comprising a stop surface formed on a surface of the ring-like structure facing the insertion portion, the stop surface configured to contact an outer surface of the electrical outlet to prevent the electrical plug retention device from entering the electrical outlet at a predetermined insertion depth.

12. The power plug retention device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment portion configured to removably attach the power plug retention device to an attachment surface.

13. The power plug retention device of claim 12, wherein the attachment portion is configured as a cable that is removably attached to the power plug when the power plug is inserted into the power outlet.

14. A power plug retention device according to claim 13, wherein the attachment portion is a clip device configured to be secured to the cable of the power plug.

15. The power plug retention device of claim 12, wherein the attachment portion is configured to be removably attached via a securing cord.

Background

Many electronic devices, such as computer devices, use power plug assemblies to couple the electronic device to a power source. Typically, in these power plug assemblies, when a plug on the power cord is inserted into a recessed receptacle of the power plug assembly, the plug may potentially vibrate or be accidentally pulled loose, resulting in a loss of power to the electronic device.

Disclosure of Invention

A power plug retention device for use with a power plug inserted into a power outlet is provided. The power plug retention device may include a body including an insertion portion and a gripping portion formed along an insertion axis of the body. The insertion portion may be shaped as a wedge configured to be inserted into a gap between the power plug and the power outlet. The gripping portion may include an insertion force receiving surface formed normal to the insertion axis and configured to receive an insertion force from a user in an insertion direction along the insertion axis to insert and receive the wedge in the gap to form an interference fit between the wedge, the power plug, and the power receptacle when the wedge is inserted in the gap.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

Drawings

Figure 1 illustrates an example power plug assembly including a power plug retention device according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example power plug inserted into an example power plug receptacle of the power plug assembly of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the first embodiment of the power plug retention device of figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the first embodiment of the power plug retention device of figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the power plug retention device of figure 1.

Figure 6 shows four different views of the first embodiment of the power plug retention device of figure 1.

Figure 7 shows a top view of the second embodiment of the power plug retention device of figure 1.

Figure 8 shows a bottom view of the second embodiment of the power plug retention device of figure 1.

Figure 9 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the power plug retention device of figure 1.

Figure 10 shows four different views of the second embodiment of the power plug retention device of figure 1.

Detailed Description

Typical solutions use an open-ended sleeve that fits around the end of the plug of the power cord prior to insertion of the plug into the power receptacle. However, these ferrules may make it difficult for a user to push the plug all the way into the receptacle to fully seat the plug, which may result in insufficient contact between the plug and receptacle contacts. Insufficient contact may cause the contacts to overheat, possibly leading to a shock hazard. In addition, these ferrules make it difficult for a user to remove the plug from the receptacle and often result in the user having to pull the wires of the power plug during removal, which can potentially cause damage to the power cord.

To address these issues, fig. 1 illustrates an example power plug retention device 10, the power plug retention device 10 being designed to help prevent the power cord from being accidentally pulled out or loosened due to vibration of the power outlet. The power plug retention device 10 is configured to be both insertable into and removable from the power plug assembly when the power plug is inserted into the power outlet. FIG. 1 illustrates an example electronic device 12, the electronic device 12 including a power plug assembly 14 for the electronic device 12. The electronic device 12 may take any suitable form, such as a server device, a desktop computer device, a speaker device, or any other type of electronic device that includes a power plug assembly 14. In one example, the power plug assembly of electronic device 12 includes a power plug 16 and a power outlet 18.

Fig. 2 shows a close-up view of an example power plug assembly prior to insertion of the power plug retention device 10. Typically, when the power plug 16 of the power cord 20 is inserted into the power outlet 18, there is a gap 22 between the inner surface of the power outlet and the outer surface of the power plug 16. In addition, power socket 18 is typically made of a hard plastic, while power plug 16 is typically made of a softer and more resilient vinyl material than the hard plastic of power socket 18. As will be described in greater detail below, the insertion portion of the power plug retention device 10 may be inserted and received in the gap 22 to form an interference/friction fit with the head of the power plug 16 and the inner surface of the power receptacle 18. As shown in fig. 1, the insertion portion 24 of the power plug retention device 10 may be inserted into the gap 22 when the power plug 16 has been inserted into the power outlet 18.

In one example, the power plug retention device 10 may be formed from a nylon material filled with glass filaments. More specifically, the material may include 25-30% fiberglass and 70-75% nylon 66. However, it should be understood that other materials and proportions may be used to form the power plug retention device 10. As will be described below, the power plug retention device 10 also includes other structure to assist in inserting the insertion portion 24 into the gap 22 between the power plug 16 and the power outlet 18 or removing the insertion portion 24 therefrom.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the first embodiment of the power plug retention device 10 in use with a power plug 16 inserted into a power outlet 18. As shown, the power plug retention device 10 may include a body 26, the body 26 including an insertion portion 24 and a gripping portion 28 formed along an insertion axis 30 of the body 26. The insertion axis 30 may be defined by the direction of force applied to the power plug retention device 10 to insert or extract the insertion portion 24 into or out of the gap 22. In the illustrated example, the insertion portion 24 may be shaped as a wedge 32, the wedge 32 being configured to be inserted into the gap 22 between the power plug 16 and the power outlet 18. Due to the wedge shape, the insertion portion 24 may be inserted into the gap 22 between the power plug 16 and the power receptacle 18 as the power plug 16 is inserted into the power receptacle 18 until a suitable degree of friction/interference fit is established to help prevent the power plug 16 from being inadvertently pulled out and/or loosened due to vibration.

The grip portion 28 may include a channel 34 formed in the body 26. The channel 34 may be sized to fit the user's finger. That is, the user may insert their fingers into the channel 34 and grip the power plug holding device 10 via the surface of the gripping portion 28. As shown, the channel may be defined by the first wall 36, the second wall 38, and a surface of the grip portion 28 extending between the first wall 36 and the second wall 38. The channel may be formed orthogonal to the insertion axis 30 of the mains plug retention device 10. That is, the direction of the channel defined as extending between the two openings of the channel 34 may be orthogonal to the insertion axis 30. Similarly, the first wall 36 and the second wall 38 may also extend orthogonal to the insertion axis 30.

Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of the first embodiment of the power plug retention device 10. In the illustrated example, the channel 34 of the gripping portion 28 is formed to have a downwardly facing U-shape, with at least two opposing channel portions 34A and 34B formed around a space 40 sized to fit the power plug 16. Two opposing channel portions 34A and 34B extend downwardly from the power plug retention device 10 and form two wings of a "U" shape. An open space 40 extends between the two opposing channel portions 34A, 34B. The two opposing channel portions 34A are sized and positioned relative to each other such that the space 40 extending between the two opposing channel portions 34A and 34B is sized to mate with the power plug 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the power plug 16 fits within the space 40 extending between the "U" shaped channels 34 of the power plug retention device 10, thereby allowing the power plug retention device 10 to be securely placed over the power plug 16.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the mains plug retention device 10. As shown, the insertion portion 24 may take the form of a wedge that extends in the direction of the insertion axis 30. In one example, the insertion portion 24 may be further formed to point downward at an angle θ to the insertion axis 30. In one example, the downward angle may be between 10 and 20 degrees from insertion axis 30. However, it should be understood that other suitable downward angle ranges may be used, such as 5 to 10 degrees, 15 to 30 degrees, and so forth. The downward angle θ may help guide the insertion portion 24 into the gap 22 between the power plug 16 and the power outlet 18.

Further, the grip portion 28 may include an insertion force receiving surface 42 formed orthogonal to the insertion axis 30. The insertion force receiving surface 42 may be configured to receive an insertion force 44 from a user in a direction along the insertion axis 30 of insertion to insert and receive the wedge 32 in the gap 22 to form an interference fit between the wedge 32, the power plug 16, and the power socket 18 when the wedge 32 is inserted in the gap 22. The insertion force 44 may be applied by a user's finger placed in the channel 34 by pushing against the insertion force receiving surface 42. In a first embodiment, the insertion force receiving surface 42 may be formed on a rear portion of the first wall 36, wherein a "front" and a "rear" are defined with respect to the insertion axis 30, the insertion portion 24 being formed on a "front" of the power plug holding device 10.

The first embodiment of the power plug retention device 10 may further include a stop surface 46, the stop surface 46 being configured to contact an outer surface 48 of the power receptacle 18 to prevent the power plug retention device 10 from entering the power receptacle 18 at a predetermined insertion depth 50. As shown, the stop surface 46 extends outwardly from the power plug retention device 10 such that when the power plug retention device 10 is fully inserted, the stop surface 46 will contact the outer surface 48 of the power outlet 18 shown in fig. 2.

In the first embodiment of the power plug retention device 10, the stop surface 46 is formed as a front portion of the first wall 36 defining the channel 34. As shown, the first wall 36 is located behind the insertion portion 24 and is formed orthogonal to the insertion axis 30. As shown, the position of the first wall 36 may also be defined as being between the insertion portion 24 and the gripping portion 28 of the body 26. In the first embodiment, the insertion force receiving surface 42 and the stop surface 46 are formed as two opposing sides of the first wall 36 such that the insertion force 44 may be applied to the insertion force receiving surface 42 until the stop surface 46 contacts the outer surface 48 of the power receptacle 18 and the insertion portion 24 stops entering the gap 22.

After the first embodiment of the mains plug retention device 10 has been inserted into the gap 22, it may be configured to be unplugged via an unplugging force 52 applied to an unplugging force receiving surface 54. In the first embodiment, the withdrawal force receiving surface 54 may be formed as a front portion of the second wall 38 of the channel 34. That is, to remove the power plug retention device 10, a user may place their fingers into the channel 34 and grasp a surface of the gripping portion 28. Then, by pulling, the user's finger may apply an extraction force 52 to the extraction force receiving surface 54, which will pull the insertion portion 24 out of the gap 22 between the power plug 16 and the power socket 18. In this manner, it will be appreciated that the power plug retention device 10 may be inserted into and removed from the gap 22 when the power plug 16 is inserted into the power outlet 18. However, it should also be understood that the power plug retention device 10 may also be inserted into the power receptacle 18 simultaneously with the power plug 16 to form a friction/interference fit.

As shown in fig. 3, 4 and 5, the power plug retention device 10 may further include an attachment portion 56, the attachment portion 56 being configured to removably attach the power plug retention device 10 to an attachment surface 58. In a first embodiment, the attachment portion 56 may take the form of a loop mount that may be removably attached via a fastening cord (e.g., a cord, thread, zipper strip, etc.).

The attachment portion 56 may be secured to any suitable attachment surface 58. In the example shown in fig. 1, an attachment portion 56 in the form of a ring mount may be secured to an attachment surface 58A located on the electronic device 12. In another example, the attachment portion 56 may be secured to an attachment surface 58B of the power plug 16 in the form of a cord. By using the attachment portion 56, the power plug retention device 10 may be configured as a cable that is removably attached to the power plug 16 while the power plug 16 is inserted into the power outlet 18. On the other hand, the power plug retention device 10 may also be removably attached before the power plug 16 has been inserted into the power socket 18. Removably attaching the power plug retention device 10 to the attachment surface 58 may help prevent a user from losing the power plug retention device 10. It should be appreciated that the power plug retention device 10 may be removably attached to any suitable type of attachment surface 58.

Figure 6 shows several different views of the first embodiment of the mains plug retention device 10. The downward facing U-shape of the channel portion 34 of the grip portion 28 is shown from several different angles in fig. 6.

Fig. 7 shows a top view of a second embodiment of the mains plug retention device 10. As shown, the second embodiment further includes a body 26, the body 26 including an insertion portion 24 and a gripping portion 28 formed along an insertion axis 30 of the body 26. Similar to the first embodiment, the insertion portion 24 may be shaped as a wedge 32, the wedge 32 being configured to be inserted into the gap 22 between the power plug 16 and the power outlet 18. The second embodiment of the power plug retention device 10 further comprises an attachment portion 56.

As shown, in the second embodiment, the grip portion 28 may include a ring-like structure 60, rather than a channel, the ring-like structure 60 having an opening oriented orthogonal to the insertion axis 30. That is, the curved surface of the ring structure 60 is curved along the insertion axis 30, and the opening direction of the opening of the ring structure is orthogonal to the insertion axis 30. To grasp the power plug holding device 10, a user may insert their fingers into the ring structure 60 and grasp the surface of the ring structure.

To insert the insertion portion 24 into the gap, the user may then apply an insertion force 44 to the insertion force receiving surface 42. For example, when a user's finger is inserted into the ring-like structure 60, the user may then press their finger forward against the insertion force receiving surface 42 to push the insertion portion 24 into the gap 22. In the second embodiment of the power plug holding device 10, the insertion force receiving surface 42 may be formed on the inner surface of the ring structure 60. In some examples, insertion force receiving surface 42 may also include an extended surface extending outwardly from ring structure 60 in a direction normal to insertion axis 30 to provide a greater surface area for pushing by a user.

Fig. 8 shows a bottom view of the second embodiment of the power plug retention device 10. As shown, the attachment portion 56 of the second embodiment may take the form of a clip device 62, the clip device 62 being configured to be secured to a cable of the power plug 16. The clip device 62 may be formed of a spring and/or flexible material that is sized to mate with a cable that surrounds the power plug 16. The clamp device 62 may be removably attached to the cable by pressing the clamp device 62 onto the cable until the clamp device 62 is tightened around the cable. It will be appreciated that in this manner, the clip device 62 may be attached to the cable of the power plug 16 and removed from the power plug 16 when the power plug 16 has been plugged into the power outlet 18.

Fig. 9 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a mains plug retention device 10. As mentioned above, the insertion portion 24, which may take the form of a wedge, extends in the direction of the insertion axis 30. In one example, the insertion portion 24 may be further formed to point downward at an angle θ to the insertion axis 30. In one example, the downward angle may be between 10 and 20 degrees from insertion axis 30. However, it should be understood that other suitable downward angle ranges may be used, such as 5 to 10 degrees, 15 to 30 degrees, and so forth. The power plug retention device 10 may also include a stop surface 46 formed on a surface of the ring structure 60 facing the insertion portion 24. As described above, the stop surface is configured to contact the outer surface 48 of the power receptacle 18 to prevent the power plug retention device 10 from entering the power receptacle 18 at the predetermined insertion depth 50. In one example, the stop surface 46 may take the form of a wall surface formed on the front side of the ring structure 60. As shown, the stop surface 46 and the insertion force receiving surface 42 may be located on opposite sides of the front curve of the ring structure 60.

In one example, the user may extract the second embodiment of the power plug retention device 10 from the power outlet 18 by inserting a finger into the ring structure 60 and pulling to apply the extraction force 52 to the extraction force receiving surface 54. The extraction force receiving surface 54 may be located on the back curve of the ring structure 60. In this manner, it will be appreciated that the second embodiment of the power plug retention device 10 may be inserted and removed when the power plug 16 is inserted into the power outlet 18. Figure 10 shows several different views of a second embodiment of a power plug retention device.

In the example power plug retention device 10 shown in fig. 1-10, the wedge is shown inserted into the gap between the top of the power plug and the top of the power outlet. However, it should be understood that in some examples, there may also be gaps between each side of the power plug and the power outlet. The insertion portion 24, which may take the form of a wedge, may be positioned and oriented on the power plug retention device 10 to be inserted into any of these gaps. For example, the wedge may be vertically oriented such that the wedge may be inserted into a vertical gap between the left and right sides of the power plug and the power outlet.

Further, while the power plug retention device 10 has been shown as being placed over the power plug 16, it should be understood that the power plug retention device 10 may be configured to be secured to other locations on the power plug 16. For example, the power plug retention device may be configured to attach to the left or right side of the power plug. As another example, the power plug retention device 10 may be configured to be secured to the bottom side of the power plug 16, and the insertion portion 24 may be configured to be inserted into a gap between the bottom of the power plug 16 and the bottom of the power outlet.

Further, it should be understood that the power plug retention device 10 may be sized in a 1U form factor. For example, the power plug retention device 10 may be configured to fit into a server rack having a height dimension that is set based on a 1U form factor. For example, the power plug retaining means 10 may be dimensioned such that when the power plug retaining means 10 is inserted into a power supply assembly of a server device, the power plug retaining means 10 does not extend above the height of the server device.

In the examples described herein and shown in fig. 1-10, the gripping surface 28 has been described as taking the form of a channel or ring-like structure. However, it should be understood that other structures may be used to implement the described functions of the gripping surface, the insertion force receiving surface and the withdrawal force receiving surface. For example, the gripping surface may take the form of a single wall, tab, or another type of protrusion that may be gripped by a user. As another example, the gripping surface 28 may take the form of an indentation sized to fit the fingers of a user. The surfaces of the indentations may serve as insertion and extraction receiving surfaces. As yet another example, the gripping surface 28 may take the form of a frictional surface that facilitates gripping of the power plug retention device 18 by a user, and to which the user may apply insertion and withdrawal forces. It should be understood that the gripping surface 28 is not limited to the forms described herein, but may take any suitable form.

The following paragraphs provide additional support for the claims of the present application. One aspect provides a power plug retention device for use with a power plug inserted into a power outlet. The power plug retention device includes a body including an insertion portion and a gripping portion formed along an insertion axis of the body. The insertion portion is shaped as a wedge configured to be inserted into a gap between the power plug and the power outlet. The gripping portion includes an insertion force receiving surface formed orthogonal to the insertion axis and configured to receive an insertion force from a user in an insertion direction along the insertion axis to insert and receive the wedge in the gap to form an interference fit between the wedge, the power plug, and the power receptacle when the wedge is inserted in the gap. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the wedge may be configured to be inserted into a gap between the power plug and the socket when the power plug is inserted into the power socket. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the power plug retention device may further comprise a stop surface configured to contact an outer surface of the power receptacle to prevent the power plug retention device from entering the power receptacle at a predetermined insertion depth. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the stop surface may be a forward portion of a wall located behind the insertion portion, the wall being formed normal to the insertion axis. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the insertion force receiving surface may be a rear portion of the wall. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the grip portion may include a channel formed in the body sized to fit a finger of the user. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the insertion force receiving surface may be a rear portion of a first wall of the channel, the first wall being located between the insertion portion and the gripping portion of the body. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the power plug retention device may further comprise a withdrawal force receiving surface, which may be a front portion of the second wall of the passage. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the channel may be formed orthogonal to the insertion axis. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the grip portion may include a ring-like structure having an opening oriented orthogonal to the insertion axis. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the power plug retention device may further include a stop surface formed on a surface of the ring-like structure facing the insertion portion, the stop surface being configured to contact an outer surface of the power receptacle to prevent the power plug retention device from entering the power receptacle at a predetermined insertion depth. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the power plug retention device may include an attachment portion configured to removably attach the power plug retention device to an attachment surface. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the attachment portion may be configured as a cable that is removably attached to the power plug when the power plug is inserted into the power outlet. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the attachment portion may be a clip device configured to secure to a cable of the power plug. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the attachment portion may be configured to be removably attached via a securing cord. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the wedge may be formed to extend at a downward angle from the insertion axis. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the downward angle may be 10 to 20 degrees from the insertion axis.

Another aspect provides a power plug retention device for use with a power plug inserted into a power outlet. The power plug retention device may include a body including an insertion portion and a gripping portion formed along an insertion axis of the body. The insertion portion is shaped as a wedge configured to be inserted into a gap between the power plug and the power outlet. The grip portion includes a channel sized to fit a user's finger, the channel being formed in the body, the channel having a downwardly facing U-shape, wherein at least two opposing channel portions are formed around a space sized to fit a power plug. The gripping portion includes an insertion force receiving surface formed on a wall defining the channel and orthogonal to the insertion axis and configured to receive an insertion force from a user in an insertion direction along the insertion axis to insert and receive the wedge in the gap to form an interference fit between the wedge, the power plug, and the power receptacle when the wedge is inserted in the gap. In this regard, additionally or alternatively, the downwardly facing U-shape of the channel may be configured to fit around and be placed over the power plug when the wedge is inserted into the gap.

Another aspect provides a power plug assembly for an electronic device, the power plug assembly including a power plug, a power outlet, and a power plug retention device for use with a power plug inserted into the power outlet. The power plug retention device includes a body including an insertion portion and a gripping portion formed along an insertion axis of the body. The insertion portion is shaped as a wedge configured to be inserted into a gap between the power plug and the power outlet. The gripping portion includes an insertion force receiving surface formed orthogonal to the insertion axis and configured to receive an insertion force from a user in an insertion direction along the insertion axis to insert and receive the wedge in the gap to form an interference fit between the wedge, the power plug, and the power receptacle when the wedge is inserted in the gap.

It is to be understood that the configurations and/or approaches described herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The specific procedures or methods described herein may represent one or more of any number of processing strategies. As such, various acts illustrated and/or described may be performed in the sequence illustrated and/or described, in other sequences, in parallel, or omitted. Also, the order of the above-described processes may be changed.

The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various processes, systems and configurations, and other features, functions, acts, and/or properties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.