Claims:I/We claim:
1. A storage member for a motor vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame assembly (101) including a frame assembly (101) extending rearwardly from a steering head (102);
a storage member (109) supported on said main frame member (101a), said storage member (109) includes an inner cover (202) and an outer cover (201); and
at least one support structure (203) fixedly attached to at least a portion of said inner cover (202).
said at least one support structure (203) includes a first abutting portion (203a) comprising a shape in conformation with a shape of at least a portion of the main frame member (101a), a second abutting portion (203b) including an inner circumferential surface (203c) disposed adjoiningly to said first abutting portion (203a), said second abutting portion (203b) includes an outer circumferential surface (203d) disposed substantially away at a pre-determined distance (pd) from said inner circumferential surface (203c).
2. The storage member (109) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer circumferential surface (203d) includes a varying radii.
3. The storage member (109) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second abutting portion (203b) is fixedly attached to at least a portion of an outer surface (202a) of said inner cover (202).
4. storage member (109) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one support structure (203) is substantially semi-circular in shape.
5. The storage member (109) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first abutting portion (203a) is integrally disposed perpendicularly to said second abutting portion (203b).
6. The storage member (109) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support structure (203) includes a first distal end (D1) and a second distal end (D2) disposed at a first distance (fd), said first distance (fd) is varying in the range of 30 to 50 mm there between.
7. The storage member (109) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer circumferential surface (203d) includes plurality of semi-circular projections (301a, 301b), adjacently disposed semi-circular projections of said plurality of semi-circular projections (301a, 301b) include varying diameter.
8. The storage member (109) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pre-determined distance (pd) is varying in the range of 10-15mm.
9. The storage member (109) as claimed in claim 1 or clam 3, wherein said adjacently disposed semi-circular projections includes a first set of semi-circular projections (301a) comprising a lesser diameter disposed in between a second set of semi-circular projections (301b) with greater diameter than said first set of semi-circular projections (301a).
10. The storage member (109) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first set of semi-circular projections (301a) can be extended into a first set of imaginary circles (302) disposed inside the outer circumferential surface (203d), said second set of semi-circular projections (301b) can be extended into a second set of imaginary circles (303) disposed outside the outer circumferential surface (203d).
11. The storage member ( 109) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 8, wherein said support structure (203) includes at least one of said first set of semi-circular projections (301a) and at least one of said second set of semi-circular projections (301b) disposed along a central axis (MM`) passing there through, said central axis (MM`) is disposed at an offset angle (?) with respect to a horizontal axis (MN), said offset angle (?) is varying approximately in the range of 8 to 30 degrees to a horizontal axis (MN) extending longitudinally.
12. The storage member (109) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said outer surface (202a) of said inner cover (202) includes at least one protrusion (205) fixedly attached thereto and configured to be abutted against at least one of said first set of semi-circular projections (301a) and second set of semi-circular projections (301b).
13. The storage member (109) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first set of semi-circular projections (301a) includes a first radius (R1) varying in the range of 5-10mm, said second set of semi-circular projections (301b) includes a second radius R2 varying in the range of 10-15mm.
14. A support structure (203) for a storage member of a motor vehicle (100), said support structure (203) comprising:
a first abutting portion (203a), a second abutting portion (203b) including an inner circumferential surface (203c) disposed adjoiningly to said first abutting portion (203a), said second abutting portion (203b) includes an outer circumferential surface (203d) disposed substantially away at a pre-determined distance from said inner circumferential surface (203c).
15. The support structure (203) for a storage member of a motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first abutting portion (203a) is integrally disposed perpendicularly to said second abutting portion (203b), said outer circumferential surface (203d) includes plurality of semi-circular projections (301a, 301b), adjacently disposed semi-circular projections of said plurality of semi-circular projections (301a, 301b) include varying diameter.
16. A method for assembling a support structure (203) on a storage member (109) of a motor vehicle (100), said method of assembling the support structure (203) comprising the steps of:
attaching at least one protrusion (205) on an outer surface (202a) of an inner cover (202) of said support structure (203);
disposing said support structure (203) at an offset angle (?) with respect to a horizontal axis (MN), said support structure (203) is disposed on said inner cover (202) and at a close proximity to said at least one protrusion (205); and
inserting said storage member (109) onto a main frame member (101a) of a frame assembly (101) of said motor vehicle (100), said support structure (203) is abutted against at least a portion of said main frame member (101a).
17. The method for assembling a support structure (203) on a storage member (109) of a motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 16, wherein said support structure includes plurality of substantially semi-circular projections (301a, 301b) comprising a first set of semi-circular projections (301a) and a second set of semi-circular projections (301b), at least one of said first set of semi-circular projections (301a) and at least one of said second set of semi-circular projections (301b) is disposed along a central axis (MM`) passing there through and said central axis (MM`) is at said offset angle (?) with respect to said horizontal axis (MN).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a storage member for a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a saddle type two & three-wheeled vehicle, a storage member is provided to store fuel or other energy storage element e.g. battery there within. The storage member is typically disposed at a rear end of the vehicle or at the front end of the vehicle. In a scooter type of motorcycle, the storage member is disposed below the seat assembly and at the rear end of the vehicle or below the floorboard. Whereas, in a motorcycle, the storage member is disposed along a main frame of a vehicle frame assembly. The storage member is used to store fuel of required capacity and facilitate smooth and uninterrupted fuel flow to an engine assembly whenever required or storage of battery cell, fuel cell or the like. In motorcycles, fuel tank is made of sheet metal and consists of fuel tank outer body and fuel tank inner body. The outer body and the inner body are joined by seam welding process. Alternatively, the storage member may be made of resin or combination of resin cum metal or extruded sections etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Figure 1 illustrates a right side view of a motorcycle.
[0005] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the storage member.
[0006] Figure 3 illustrates a left side view of an inner cover of the storage member.
[0007] Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the storage member taken along longitudinal direction as illustrated in the Figure 2.
[0008] Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the storage member taken along longitudinal direction as illustrated in the Figure 2.
[0009] Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the storage member.
[00010] Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the storage assembly assembled on to the frame assembly taken along LL` plane as shown in the Figure 1.
[00011] Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the storage member.
[00012] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the support structure.
[00013] Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view of the storage assembly assembled on to the frame assembly taken along LL` plane as shown in the Figure 1.
[00014] Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the support structure.
[00015] Figure 9a illustrates adjacently disposed semi-circular projections of said plurality of semi-circular projections include varying diameter.
[00016] Figure 9(b) illustrates a sectional view of the at least one support structure taken along Z-Z axis of Figure 9(a).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00017] In general, in a vehicle, the storage member, for example, a fuel tank assembly is used to store fuel of required capacity and facilitate smooth and uninterrupted fuel flow to the engine assembly whenever required. In general, the storage member is made of sheet metal and includes fuel tank outer body and fuel tank inner body. The fuel tank outer body and the fuel tank inner body are joined by seam welding process. In motorcycle kind of two-wheeled vehicles, the storage member is placed on the main tube of the vehicle frame assembly. The storage member in particular, is mounted to the frame structure at one or more locations. One of the mounting is to arrest the movement of the storage member at a rear portion of the storage member. Other mounting is to locate the storage member on at least one of the main frame member. In particular, the inner body of the storage member includes a ‘C’ shaped bracket configured to locate the storage member on to the main frame. The storage member inner body is curved around the at least one main frame member. The term storage member & fuel tank are herewith used interchangeably for ease of reference across the specification. The curved fuel tank extends downwards from the main frame structure of the vehicle frame assembly. Such that, two walls of the fuel tank inner body are disposed on either side of the main frame. Both these two inner walls are abutted against the main frame through the ‘C’ shaped bracket. In particular, the ‘C’ shaped bracket is fixedly attached to the fuel tank inner body. The ‘C’ shaped bracket is generally attached to the fuel tank inner body by the process of spot welding.
[00018] The challenges faced during assembly of the storage member on to the frame assembly due to C-bracket include difficulty in assembling the storage member due to incorrect positioning of the ‘C’ shaped bracket leading to improper assembly and further, mounting of the storage member on to the frame assembly at appropriate positions is not possible. Further, due to poor visibility during assembly, there arises ambiguity in the location of the ‘C’ shaped bracket on to the storage member at desired location leading to excess time, difficulty in assembly as well as longer manufacturing cycle time for each vehicle which is undesirable. This also adversely impacts the ease of service of the vehicle.
[00019] Further, the ‘C’ shaped bracket is fixedly attached to the fuel tank inner body by the process of welding. In general, the ‘C’ shaped bracket is attached to the fuel tank inner body by welding at one or more locations. For this purpose, spot-welding process is used to attached the ‘C’ shaped bracket to the fuel tank inner body. The spot welding process includes various drawbacks. The drawbacks include insufficient area available for performing the spot welding process. This leads to inaccurate welding and may result in distortion of the ‘C’ shaped bracket and also damage the fuel tank inner body. Furthermore, with the conventional ‘C’ shaped bracket, there is always ambiguity regarding location for performing spot welding. This ambiguity in spot welding location may lead to performing of the welding on the fuel tank inner body instead of the ‘C’ shaped bracket due to offset in spot-welding location. The welding so performed on the fuel tank inner body leads to undesirable weakening of the fuel tank inner body locally and will eventually result in leakage of fuel from the storage member. The leakage of fuel can be dangerous under certain circumstances including exposing to fire, wherein the user and the surroundings are put to danger. Furthermore, due to leakage of fuel, the user may not be aware of the same and the entire fuel in the storage member may be leaked without being available for usage for working of the vehicle.
[00020] Therefore, an improved, secure & safe mounting of the storage member on to the frame structure is required which is easy to manufacture & assembly. For this purpose, an improved ‘C’ bracket is proposed according to the present invention.
[00021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a saddle type motor vehicle includes a frame assembly comprising a main frame member extending obliquely rearwardly from a head tube. The main frame member includes at least one cross member fixedly attached thereto. Further, a storage member of the motor vehicle is configured to store fuel, fuel cell or the like. The storage member is supported on the main frame member. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the storage member includes an outer cover and an inner cover. Further, a support structure configured to abut against the cross member of the main frame member is disposed on the inner cover of the storage member.
[00022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure includes a first abutting portion configured to include a shape in conformation with the shape of the cross member of the main frame member. The support structure includes a second abutting portion disposed adjoiningly to the first abutting portion. In particular, the second abutting portion includes an inner circumferential surface disposed adjoiningly to the first abutting portion. Further, the second abutting portion includes an outer circumferential surface disposed substantially away at a pre-determined distance from the inner circumferential surface.
[00023] Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the outer circumferential surface includes plurality of semi-circular projections that are disposed adjacently to each other. Further, any of the adjacently disposed semi-circular projections of the plurality of semi-circular projections include varying radii.
[00024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure is semi-circular in shape.
[00025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second abutting portion is disposed perpendicularly to the first abutting portion.
[00026] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure includes a first distal end and a second distal end disposed at a predetermined distance D. As per an embodiment, the distance D is in the range of 30 to 50 mm, and preferably in a range of 35-45mm. A predetermined gap so formed between the first distal end and the second distal end is capable of receiving at least a portion of the cross member disposed on the main frame member.
[00027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure includes any one of a semi-circular projection from the first set of semi-circular projections and the second set of semi-circular projections disposed along a central axis passing through a central portion and longitudinally along the support structure. The central axis is disposed at a predetermined angle Ato a horizontal axis extending along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle under assembled condition of the storage member in the vehicle. As per an embodiment, the angle A is in the range of 12-20mm. The disposition of the storage member along the central axis facilitates easy access to the storage member. Furthermore, the angular disposition of the storage member along the central axis facilitates easier assembly on to the main frame member of the vehicle during assembly.
[00028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first set of semi-circular projections are configured to include a first radius of R1 which as per an embodiment vary in the range of 5-10mm and the second set of semi-circular projections include a second radius of R2 which as per an embodiment varying in the range of 10-15mm.
[00029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second abutting portion including the first set of projections and the second set of projections provide a well-defined and exclusive area for carrying out effective attachment process. In particular, the support structure is attached to an outer surface of the inner cover by spot-welding process. According to the present invention, the first set of projections and the second set of projections provides exclusive surface for carrying out the spot welding effectively. Further, the weld joints so obtained between the first set of projections, the second set of projections and the fuel tank inner cover are stronger and without any distortions. The absence of any distortions during welding curbs the unwanted vibrations that may be created and prevents from adversely affecting the weld joints. This further, prevents the leakage of fuel from the storage assembly.
[00030] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in order to obtain a foolproof assembly of the support structure on the inner cover of the storage assembly & avoid welding at wrong location, the inner cover is provided with at least one protrusion. The second set of semi-circular projections can be extended into second set of imaginary circles, and the at least one projection is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the second set of imaginary circles. The at least one protrusion ensures that the support structure is assembled onto the inner cover at the predetermined angle along the central axis. Further, the at least one protrusion also provides predetermined space for carrying out the spot welding, this is achieved by having an anti-rotating support structure during assembly onto the inner cover. The already present at least one protrusion on the inner cover allows the assembly of the support structure at a particular position only. Because of which, the at least one protrusion also ensures that the spot welding is not carried out in other surfaces including the fuel tank outer cover and the other surface of the support structure. The at least one protrusion therefore provides a reliable and a foolproof assembly of the storage member for the vehicle.
[00031] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with an embodiment of a two wheeled gasoline fuel type motorcycle with the figures in the following description.
[00032] Figure 1 illustrates a right side view of a motorcycle 100. The motorcycle 100 includes a frame assembly 101 including a main frame (not seen) extending obliquely rearwardly from a steering head 102, a front fork 103 mounted to the front of the frame assembly 101 and connected to a front wheel 104, an engine assembly 105 supported by the frame assembly 101 and a rear wheel 106 supported by the rear portion of the frame assembly 101.
[00033] In the illustrated motorcycle, a steering head 102 supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range. The front fork 103 is supported pivotally by the steering head 102. In an upper portion of the steering head 102, a handlebar assembly 107 is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft. A front wheel 104 is journaled to a lower end of the front fork 103 and the front wheel 104 is rotated in a certain range by steering the handlebar assembly 107.
[00034] A front fender 108 is arranged on the front fork 103 to cover an upper portion of the front wheel 104. A rear wheel 106 is journaled on the rear end of the body frame 101.
[00035] In a front portion of the frame assembly 101, a storage member 109 is arranged immediately behind the handle bar assembly 107. A seat assembly 110 is placed behind the storage member 109. The seat assembly 110 includes a front seat 110a and a rear seat 110b. The front seat 110a is placed immediately behind the storage member 109, while the rear seat 110b is disposed in an upper position behind the front seat 110a.
[00036] The engine assembly 105 is supported to the frame assembly 101 by being suspended in a front lower portion of the body frame 101. The engine assembly 105 is equipped with an exhaust system and includes an exhaust pipe 111 connected to the engine assembly 105 and a muffler 112 connected to the exhaust pipe 111. The muffler 112 extends rearwards along the right side of the rear wheel 106.
[00037] Furthermore, a swing arm 113 is swingably connected to a rear lower portion of the frame assembly 101 and the swing arm 113 extends rearwards. The rear wheel 106 is rotatably supported at a rear end of the swing arm 113. At least one shock absorber 114 is supported by the swing arm 113 at one end. Power from engine unit 105 suspended in a front lower portion of the body frame 101 is transmitted to the rear wheel 106 through a power drive mechanism, such as a drive chain, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 106.
[00038] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the storage member. The storage member 109 includes an outer cover 201 and an inner cover 202. A well-defined space between the outer cover 201 and the inner cover 202 is used to store fuel. The storage member 109 has one or more mounting portions 203, 204a, and 204b including at least one support structure 203, at least one first frame mounting portion 204a and at least one second frame mounting portion 204b. The at least one support structure 203 is disposed on a substantially front portion of the inner cover 202, the at least one support structure 203 is configured to abut against at least a portion of the body frame (not shown). In particular, the at least one support structure 203 is disposed on an outer surface 202a of the inner cover 202. The at least one first frame mounting portion 204a is disposed at an end portion of the storage member 109, the at least one first frame mounting portion 204a is configured to be attached to the body frame (not shown). The at least one first frame mounting portion 204a provides support to the storage member 109 on the rear side. Further, the at least one second frame mounting portion 204b is disposed on lateral portions of the storage member 109, the at least one first frame mounting portion 204a is configured to be attached to the body frame (not shown). The at least one second frame mounting portion 204b arrests the lateral movement of the storage member 109.
[00039] Figure 3 illustrates a left side view of an inner cover of the storage member. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner cover 202 of the storage member 109 includes at least one protrusion 205. The at least one protrusion 205 is fixedly attached to an outer surface 202a of the inner cover 202. In particular, the at least one protrusion 205 is an integral part of the inner cover 202. Such that, the at least one protrusion 205 is a part of the inner cover 202.
[00040] Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the storage member taken along longitudinal direction as illustrated in the Figure 2. The storage member 109 comprises the inner cover 202 enclosed by the outer cover 201. At least a front portion of the inner cover 202 includes the at least one support structure 203 disposed along a central axis MM`. The central axis MM` is disposed at an offset angle ‘?’ varying in the range of 8 – 30 degrees, and most preferably in a range of 12-16 degrees to a horizontal axis MN along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As per an embodiment, the rearmost mounting portion of the storage member is substantially parallel to the axis MN. Further, the front portion of the inner cover 202 also includes at least one protrusion 205. The at least one protrusion 205 is fixedly attached to the inner cover 202. The at least one protrusion 205 provides a predetermined positioning of the at least one support structure 203 on the inner cover 202 during assembling. This predetermined positioning enables desired orientation of the storage member at ? degrees. The at least one protrusion 205 ensures that the at least one support structure 203 is assembled onto the inner cover 202 at the predetermined angle along the central axis MM`. Further, the at least one protrusion 205 also provides predetermined space for carrying out the spot welding, this is achieved by having an anti-rotating support structure during assembly onto the inner cover. After positioning of the at least one support structure 203 on to the inner cover 202, the at least one support structure 203 is fixedly attached by suitable attaching means e.g. spot welding the portions of the at least one support structure 203 that are disposed away from the at least one protrusion 205. Because of which, the at least one protrusion 205 also ensures that the spot welding is not carried out in other surfaces including the inner cover 202 and the other undesired surfaces of the at least one support structure 203. The at least one protrusion 205 therefore provides a reliable and a foolproof assembly of the storage member 109 for the vehicle.
[00041] Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the storage member taken along longitudinal direction as illustrated in the Figure 2. The storage member 109 includes plurality of protrusions 205 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The plurality of protrusions 205 provides precise and exact position for disposing of the at least one support structure 203 on the outer surface 202a of the inner cover 202. Therefore, during assembling, the assembling person need not spend time on determining the exact disposing position and instead can take reference of the plurality of protrusions 205 disposed on the outer surface 202a and exactly place the at least one support structure 203. This way, the assembling time is saved and further, the exact positioning of the at least one support structure 203 which is determined through various engineering techniques and which is the desired positon to carry out spot welding process is not missed out and hence, any mishaps like carrying out spot welding on the undesired positions like on the outer surface 202a of the inner cover 202 and on the other portions of the at least one support structure 203 is prevented.
[00042] Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the storage member. The inner cover 202 is in the shape of a substantially inverted ‘U’ shape. The inverted ‘U’ shaped inner cover 202 includes a pair of open ended wall. The pair of open ended wall each includes at least one support structure 203. In the sectional view as illustrated in the figure, the at least one support structure 203 is disposed on both the sides of the inner cover 202. The storage member 109 is supported on the frame assembly through these at least one support structure 203 disposed on both the sides of the storage member 109.
[00043] Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view of the storage assembly assembled on to the frame assembly taken along LL` plane as shown in the Figure 1. The at least one support structure 203 is fixedly attached to the inner cover 202. Each of the ‘C’ shaped support structure 203 is configured to abut against at least one cushion member 206. The at least one cushion member 206 is configured to receive at least a portion of the cross-member 204a fixedly attached to the main tube 204. The at least one cushion member 206 is sandwiched between the at least one support structure 203 and the cross-member 204a to absorb and attenuate the vibrations emanating from the vehicle frame. This way, the vibrations emanating out of the vehicle frame is prevented from reaching the storage compartment 109, which in turn allows the storage compartment 109 to be stable and does not effect the leakage of fuel stored inside the storage compartment 109.
[00044] Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the support structure. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure 203 is a substantially ‘C’ shaped structure. The support structure 203 includes a first abutting portion 203a comprising a shape in conformation with a shape of at least a portion of the main frame member 204, a second abutting portion 203b including an inner circumferential surface 203c disposed adjoiningly to said first abutting portion 203a, said second abutting portion 203b includes an outer circumferential surface 203d disposed substantially away at a pre-determined distance from said inner circumferential surface 203c. The predetermined distance pd between the inner circumferential surface 203c and the outer circumferential surface 203d provides sufficient space to carry out welding process on the at least one support structure, thereby resulting in effective attachment of the at least one support structure on the inner cover 202 of the storage member 109. Furthermore, the second abutting portion, being an exclusive portion available for the welding process to carry out, does not leave any scope for the welding to be carried out on the inner cover 202 and other portions of the at least one support structure 203. Furthermore, the outer circumferential surface 203d includes a varying radius. The outer circumferential surface 203d includes plurality of semi-circular projections.
[00045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined distance pd is varying in the range of 10-15mm.
[00046] Figure 9a illustrates adjacently disposed semi-circular projections of said plurality of semi-circular projections include varying diameter. The second abutting portion 203b is fixedly attached to at least a portion of an outer surface of said inner cover. The at least one support structure 203 is substantially semi-circular in shape. The first abutting portion 203a is integrally disposed substantially perpendicularly to said second abutting surface 203b. The at least one support structure 203 includes a first distal end D1 and a second distal end D2 disposed at a first distance fd of 30 to 50 mm, and most preferably in a range of 35-45mm there between. The adjacently disposed semi-circular projections 301a, 301b includes a first set of semi-circular 301a projections comprising a lesser diameter disposed in between a second set of semi-circular projections 301b with greater diameter than said first set of semi-circular projections 301a. The first set of semi-circular projections 301a can be extended into a first set of imaginary circles 302 disposed inside the outer circumferential surface 203d, the second set of semi-circular projections 301b can be extended into a second set of imaginary circles 303 disposed outside the outer circumferential surface 203d.
[00047] Figure 9(b) illustrates a sectional view of the at least one support structure taken along Z-Z axis of Figure 9(a). The first abutting portion 203a is disposed perpendicularly to the second abutting portion 203b. The second abutting portion 203b is disposed adjacently to an inner circumferential surface 203c and the outer circumferential surface 203d includes plurality of semicircular projections providing exclusive surface for carrying out spot-welding.
[00048] Although the subject matter has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the subject matter, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the subject matter. It is therefore contemplated that such modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present subject matter as defined.