PUTTER HEAD INCLUDING SOLE AND COVER PLATES

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001]The present disclosure generally relates to golf club heads, and more specifically to putters including sole and cover plates.

SUMMARY

[0002]Embodiments of the presently disclosed technology may include putter heads. In accordance with some aspects of the presently disclosed technology, a putter head may include a first body member located at a frontal portion of the putter head, a sole plate to cover the sole recess to form a first part of a sole of the putter head, one or more arms extending backward from the first body member, one or more cover plates to each fit on top of the one or more arms, and a second body member extending backward from the one or more arms. The first body member may include a sole portion. The sole portion may include a sole recess.

[0003]In embodiments, the one or more cover plates may form a second part of the sole of the putter head.

[0004]In embodiments, the putter head may include one or more apertures between the one or more cover plates.

[0005]In embodiments, the sole plate may include a plurality of posts extending upward, and a plurality of post spacers each fitting between a top portion of each one of the plurality of posts and a bottom surface of the first body member corresponding to the sole recess.

[0006]In embodiments, a first set of the one or more arms may be angled at a first arm angle, and a second set of the one or more arms may be angled at a second arm angle.

[0007]In embodiments, the first arm angle may be greater than about 45 degrees, and the second arm angle may be greater than about 90 degrees.

[0008]In embodiments, outside ones of the one or more cover plates may extend to heel ends and toe ends of the first body member and the second body member.

[0009]In embodiments, the first body member may include an insert forming a portion of a striking surface of the first body member.

[0010]In accordance with some aspects of the presently disclosed technology, a putter head may include a first body member located at a frontal portion of the putter head, a sole plate to cover the sole recess to form a first part of a sole of the putter head, one or more arms extending backward from the first body member, one or more cover plates to each fit on top of the one or more arms, and a second body member extending backward from the one or more arms. The first body member may include a sole portion. The sole portion may include a sole recess. The one or more cover plates may form a second part of the sole of the putter head.

[0011]In embodiments, the putter head may include one or more apertures between the one or more cover plates.

[0012]In embodiments, the sole plate may include a plurality of posts extending upward, and a plurality of post spacers each fitting between a top portion of each one of the plurality of posts and a bottom surface of the first body member corresponding to the sole recess.

[0013]In embodiments, a first set of the one or more arms may be angled at a first arm angle, and a second set of the one or more arms may be angled at a second arm angle.

[0014]In embodiments, the first arm angle may be greater than about 45 degrees, and the second arm angle may be greater than about 90 degrees.

[0015]In embodiments, outside ones of the one or more cover plates may extend to heel ends and toe ends of the first body member and the second body member.

[0016]In embodiments, the first body member may include an insert forming a portion of a striking surface of the first body member.

[0017]In accordance with some aspects of the presently disclosed technology, a putter head may include a first body member located at a frontal portion of the putter head, a sole plate to cover the sole recess to form a first part of a sole of the putter head, one or more arms extending backward from the first body member, one or more cover plates to each fit on top of the one or more arms, one or more apertures between the one or more cover plates, and a second body member extending backward from the one or more arms. The first body member may include a sole portion. The sole plate may include a plurality of posts extending upward from a top surface of the sole plate, and a plurality of post spacers each fitting between a top portion of each one of the plurality of posts and a bottom surface of the first body member corresponding to the sole recess.

[0018]In embodiments, the one or more cover plates may form a second part of the sole of the putter head.

[0019]In embodiments, a first set of the one or more arms may be angled at a first arm angle, and a second set of the one or more arms may be angled at a second arm angle.

[0020]In embodiments, the first arm angle may be greater than about 45 degrees, and the second arm angle may be greater than about 90 degrees.

[0021]In embodiments, outside ones of the one or more cover plates may extend to heel ends and toe ends of the first body member and the second body member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a putter head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.

[0023]FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom-up view of a putter head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.

[0024]FIG. 3 illustrates a top-down view of a putter head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.

[0025]FIG. 4 illustrates side views of a putter head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.

[0026]FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a putter head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.

[0027]FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a putter head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.

[0028]FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a putter head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.

[0029]FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a putter head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.

[0030]These and other features of the presently disclosed technology, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts, may be clearer upon consideration of the following detailed description and the claims with reference to these drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, with like reference numerals designating corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood that these drawings are for illustration purposes and description and are not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” may include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031]Existing ways to keep golf club characteristics while changing sizes and shapes of golf clubs are generally limited. Some clubs may use a variety of materials to adjust center of gravity among other characteristics to tune a golf club. However, this may negatively affect the golf club, including, for example, preventing the use of effective sightlines, unwanted sounds, unwanted vibration, and/or other effects. The presently disclosed technology addresses such issues with a variety of materials and damping plates.

[0032]The presently disclosed technology described herein contemplates a golf club head, such as a putter that includes a first body member, a sole plate, one or more arms, one or more cover plates, and a second body member. The presently disclosed technology may provide mass distribution benefits, structural integrity benefits, damping benefits, and/or other golf club performance benefits. The presently disclosed technology may allow for CG and/or MOI adjustment of the golf club head. The presently disclosed technology may improve sound and feel.

[0033]Establishing a reference coordinate system for the presently disclosed technology, an x-axis may refer to the axis that is horizontal to the face from a heel-to-toe direction, a y-axis may refer to the vertical axis through the club in a crown to sole direction, a z-axis may refer to the horizontal axis that is horizontal front to back in a forward and rear direction. Alternatively speaking, the x-axis may be defined as a horizontal axis tangent to a geometric center of the face with the positive direction towards a heel of the golf club head, a y-axis is a vertical axis orthogonal to the x-axis with a positive direction towards a top of the golf club head, and a z-axis being orthogonal to both the x-axis and the y-axis with a positive direction towards a front of the golf club head. The x-y-z coordinate system described above shall be the same for all subsequent discussions. For example, the x-y-z coordinate system may be used to describe the CG of the golf club head. The golf club head may have a CG-x, a CG-y, and a CG-z component corresponding to the x-, y-, and z-coordinates discussed herein.

[0034]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of putter head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. Putter head 100 may include first body member 120, cover plates 142, and second body member 160. First body member 120 may be located at a frontal portion of putter head 100. First body member 120 may include first frontal portions 122 and second frontal portion 124. First frontal portions 122 may be on a heel portion and a toe portion of first body member 120. First frontal portions 122 may be raised compared to second frontal portion 124. Second frontal portion 124 may be between first frontal portions 122. Second frontal portion 124 may be recessed, though it should be appreciated that second frontal portion 124 may be otherwise located, shaped, sized, and/or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. First body member 120, first frontal portions 122, and/or second frontal portion 124 may include metal. In some embodiments, first body member 120, first frontal portions 122, and/or second frontal portion 124 may include plastic, composite, and/or other material. In embodiments, first body member 120 may include different metals. For example, a striking surface of first body member 120 may be a separate metal from the rest of first body member 120.

[0035]Cover plates 142 may separate and/or be between first body member 120 from second body member 160. Cover plates 142 may be removable. Cover plates 142 may form a second part of sole 102 of putter head 100. Cover plates 142 may extend to, or be on, a heel end and a toe end of putter head 100. For example, cover plates 142 may extend to heel ends and toe ends of first body member 120 and/or second body member 160. Each of cover plates 142 may have first cover end 148 and second cover end 150. First cover end 148 and/or second cover end 150 may wrap around arms (at least shown as arms 140 in FIG. 2) First cover end 148 may be on an outside end of cover plates 142. For example, first cover end 148 on heel cover plate 142 may be on a heel end of heel cover plate 142. Second cover end 150 on toe cover plate 142 may be on a toe end of toe cover plate 142. Second cover end 150 may be on an inside end of cover plates 142. For example, second cover end 150 on heel cover plate 142 may be on a toe end of heel cover plate 142. Second cover end 150 on toe cover plate 142 may be on a heel end of toe cover plate 142. Aperture 144 may separate cover plates 142 along an x-direction. Aperture 144 may separate first body member 120 from second body member 160 along a z-direction. In embodiments, there may be multiple sets of arms 140, such as, for example, four arms, with two arms on a heel side and two arms on a toe side. There may be multiple apertures between each cover plate covering each of the arms. Cover plates 142 may include metal, plastic, composite, and/or other materials. The metal may include tungsten, steel, titanium, aluminum, scandium, zinc, nickel, copper, iron, alloys, and/or other metals without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. The plastic may include thermosets, thermoplastics, and/or other plastics. Composites may include a variety of materials known to those skilled in the art, including for example, graphite, carbon fiber, resins, ceramics, boron fiber, polymers, foams, and so on. Cover plates 142 may be a different material than the material used for first body member 120 and/or second body member 160. In some embodiments, cover plates 142 may include or be made of aluminum. In embodiments, it may be the same material. In some embodiments, plastic material may separate cover plates 142 from first body member 120 and/or second body member 160 to prevent unwanted sound or movement from cover plates 142.

[0036]Second body member 160 may include first rear portions 162 and second rear portion 164. Second body member 160 may extend backward from arms (at least shown as arms 140 in FIG. 2). First rear portions 162 may be on a heel portion and a toe portion of second body member 160. First rear portions 162 may be raised compared to second rear portion 164. Second rear portion 164 may be between first rear portions 162. Second rear portion 164 may be recessed, though it should be appreciated that second rear portion 164 may be otherwise located, shaped, sized, and/or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. First rear portions 162 and/or second rear portion 164 may be smaller in a y-direction compared to first frontal portions 122 and/or second frontal portion 124, though it should be appreciated that they may be the same or otherwise vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Second body member 160, first rear portions 162, and/or second rear portion 164 may include metal. In some embodiments, second body member 160, first rear portions 162, and/or second rear portion 164 may include plastic, composite, and/or other material. In embodiments, second body member 160 may include different metals.

[0037]FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom-up view of putter head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. Putter head 100 may be the same as, or substantially similar to, putter head 100 discussed herein. First body member 120 may include weights 126, sole plate 128, and sole plate fasteners 130. Weights 126 may form part of sole 102 of putter head 100 in the installed position. Weights 126 may range from about 5 grams, about 10 grams, about 15 grams, about 20 grams, about 25 grams, about 30 grams, and so on without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Weights 126 may be removable. Sole plate 128 may form a first part of sole 102 of putter head 100 in the installed position. Sole plate 128 may be otherwise shaped, sized, and/or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Sole plate 128 may be removable. Sole plate fasteners 130 may form part of sole 102 in the installed position.

[0038]Arms 140 may extend backward from first body member 120. Arms 140 may extend between first body member 120 and second body member 160. Arms 140 may form part of sole 102. Arms 140 may be angled. For example, heel arm 140 may include first arm angle α. First arm angle α may be between about 45 and about 90 degrees. In some embodiments, first arm angle α may be greater than about 45 degrees. First arm angle α may be measured starting from a back edge of first body member 120 rotated counterclockwise as viewed from below. Toe arm 140 may include second arm angle β. Second arm angle β may be between about 90 and about 135 degrees. In some embodiments, second arm angle β may be greater than about 90 degrees. Second arm angle β may be measured starting from a back edge of first body member 120 rotated counterclockwise as viewed from below. First arm angle α and second arm angle β may be mirrored angles across a z-axis of putter head 100 as measured at about 90 degrees from the back edge of first body member 120 counterclockwise as viewed from below. For example, first arm angle α may be about 90 degrees minus about 5 degrees to about 25 degrees. Second arm angle β may be about 90 degrees plus about 5 degrees to about 25 degrees. It should be appreciated that these angles may be different or otherwise vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. For example, arms may be perpendicular from first body member 120 and/or second body member 160. In some embodiments, there may be more or fewer arms. For example, there may be two sets of arms, a heel set of arms and a toe set of arms. There may be three sets of arms, a heel set of arms, a center set of arms, and a toe set of arms.

[0039]Arms 140 may include arm fasteners 146. Arm fasteners 146 may form part of sole 102 in the installed position. Arms 140 may include metal, plastic, composite, and/or other materials. Cover plates 142 may fit on top of arms 140. At least a bottom portion of cover plates 142, including first cover end 148 and second cover end 150 may be angled, shaped, sized, and/or dimensioned to match first arm angle α and second arm angle β, respectively. The bottom portion of cover plates 142 may form part of sole 102 in the installed position. Cover plates 142 may be asymmetric about a z-axis of cover plates 142. For example, first cover end 148 of toe cover plate 142 may be larger and/or wrap around more than second cover end 150 of toe cover plate 142. First cover end 148 of heel cover plate 142 may be larger and/or wrap around more than second cover end 150 of heel cover plate 142. Second cover end 150 may be smaller and/or wrap around less than first cover end 148, though it should be appreciated that this may be reversed and/or first cover end 148 and second cover end 150 may be the same size.

[0040]FIG. 3 illustrates a top-down view of putter head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. Putter head 100 may be the same as, or substantially similar to, putter head 100 discussed herein. First frontal portions 122, cover plates 142, and/or first rear portions 162 may be substantially planar along a z-direction on a heel edge and a toe edge of putter head 100. Second frontal portion 124, aperture 144, and/or second rear portion 164 may include substantially planar edges along the z-direction. FIG. 4 illustrates side views of putter head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. Putter head 100 may be the same as, or substantially similar to, putter head 100 discussed herein. Hosel 104 may be angled with respect to a ground plane. Cover plates 142 and/or first rear portions 162 may have substantially similar heights. First frontal portions 122 may be taller than cover plates 142 and/or first rear portions 162, though it should be appreciated that first frontal portions 122, cover plates 142, and/or first rear portions 162 may be differently shaped, sized, and/or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology.

[0041]FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of putter head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. Putter head 100 may be the same as, or substantially similar to, putter head 100 discussed herein. FIG. 5 may illustrate additional components for first body member 120, sole plate 128, arms 140, cover plates 142, and/or second body member 160. For example, first body member 120 may include insert 110, weight recesses 132, sole recess 134, post recesses 136, and/or sole fastener holes 138.

[0042]Insert 110 may form a portion of a striking surface of first body member 120 to contact a golf ball. Insert 110 may include metal, plastic, composite, and/or other materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Insert 110 may be a different material than first body member 120.

[0043]Weight recesses 132 may be recessed portions along a sole portion of first body member 120. Weight recesses 132 may be on a toe edge and a heel edge of the sole portion of first body member 120, though it should be appreciated that weight recesses 132 may be otherwise located, numbered, shaped, sized, and/or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. For example, there may be more weight recesses 132 and weights (at least shown as weights 126 in FIG. 2), including in second body member 160, without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Weight recesses 132 may receive weights 126. Weight recesses 132 may be shaped, sized, and/or dimensioned to receive weights 126. In some embodiments, weights 126 may be shaped, sized, and/or dimensioned to fit into weight recesses 132. Weights 126 may be fastened and unfastened using a multi prong tool.

[0044]Sole recess 134 may be a recessed portion along the sole portion of first body member 120. Sole recess 134 may be centered along an x-direction and z-direction on first body member 120. Sole recess 134 may receive sole plate 128. Sole recess 134 may include post recesses 136. Post recesses 136 may receive posts (at least shown as posts 131 in FIG. 6) and/or post spacers 135. Post recesses 136 may be separated by a bar, divider, and/or otherwise separated. This separation may allow enough vertical room to provide a sightline (not shown) above this portion on first body member 120. Sole fastener holes 138 may be on a portion of first body member 120 corresponding to sole recess 134. Sole fastener holes 138 may receive at least a first portion of sole plate fasteners 130. Sole fastener holes 138 may be blind holes or through holes.

[0045]Sole plate 128 may be shaped, sized, and/or dimensioned to cover sole recess 134 and/or post recesses 136. Sole plate 128 may include metal, though it should be appreciated that sole plate 128 may include other materials, including, for example, plastics and/or composites, without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. In some embodiments, sole plate 128 may include or be made of aluminum. Sole plate 128 may include sole plate fastener holes 129 and/or post spacers 135. Sole plate fastener holes 129 may receive at least a second portion of sole plate fasteners 130. Sole plate fasteners 130 may secure sole plate 128 to first body member 120 and/or putter head 100. Sole plate fasteners 130 may be fastened upward. Post spacers 135 may separate a top of posts (at least shown as posts 131 in FIG. 6) from a bottom of first body member 120 corresponding to post recesses 136. Post spacers 135 may fit between a top portion of posts (at least shown as posts 131) and a bottom surface of first body member 120 corresponding to sole recess 134 and/or post recesses 136. Post spacers 135 may include a plastic, though it should be appreciated that other materials may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Post spacers 135 may dampen or attenuate vibrations from sole plate 128 or its components. Post spacers 135 may be compressible. This may further improve damping effects in the installed position.

[0046]Arms 140 may include arm holes 156. Arm holes 156 may be through holes. Arm holes 156 may receive at least a first portion of arm fasteners 146. Arm fasteners 146 may be fastened upward.

[0047]Cover plates 142 may include cover plate holes 152. Cover plates 142 may be substantially c-shaped or described as having a channel running along a z-direction. The channel may separate first cover end 148 from second cover end 150 along an x-direction. Cover plate holes 152 may be blind holes or through holes. Cover plate holes 152 may receive at least a second portion of arm fasteners 146. Arm fasteners 146 may secure cover plates 142 to arms 140 and/or putter head 100. Spacers (not shown) may be used on cover plates 142, including, for example, between cover plates 142 and first body member 120 and/or second body member 160. Spacers (not shown) may also be used between arm fasteners 146 and cover plate holes 152 and/or arm holes 156.

[0048]FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of putter head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. Putter head 100 may be the same as, or substantially similar to, putter head 100 discussed herein. FIG. 6 may illustrate additional components for first body member 120, arms 140, cover plates 142, and/or second body member 160. For example, sole plate 128 may include posts 131. Posts 131 may extend upward from a top surface of sole plate 128. In some embodiments, posts 131 may include two circumferences. A first circumference may be a bottom portion of posts 131 and a second circumference may be a top portion of posts 131. The second circumference may be smaller than the first circumference. The top portion of posts 131 may be taller than the bottom portion of posts 131. While posts 131 may appear circular, it should be appreciated that posts 131 may be otherwise shaped, including, for example, hexagons, pentagons, triangles, non-linear shapes, and so on, without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Posts 131 may be otherwise shaped, sized, numbered, and/or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Post spacers 135 may be taller than a height of the top portion of posts 131. This may separate a top surface of posts 131 from a bottom surface of first body member 120 corresponding to post recesses (at least shown in FIG. 5 as post recesses 136). In some embodiments, there may be a single circumference, or shape, of posts 131. Post spacers 135 may be taller than a total height of posts 131 to separate the top surface of posts 131 from a bottom surface of first body member 120 corresponding to post recesses (at least shown in FIG. 5 as post recesses 136).

[0049]FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of putter head 700 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. Putter head 700 may be the same as, or substantially similar to, putter head 100. Putter head 700 may include sides (e.g., heel and toe) that curve toward a back such that a front curves outward from a face of putter head 700 and reaches an apex on or around first body member 720, continues the curved shape to cover plates 742 and second body member 760. First body member 720 may include first frontal portions 722 and/or second frontal portion 724. Putter head 700 may include aperture 744 between cover plates 742. Aperture 744 may be between second frontal portion 724 and second rear portion 764. Second body member 760 may include first rear portions 762 and/or second rear portion 764.

[0050]FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of putter head 800 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. Putter head 800 may be the same as, or substantially similar to, putter head 100 and/or putter head 700. First body member 820 may include first frontal portions 822 and/or second frontal portion 824. Putter head 800 may include cover plates 842 and/or aperture 844. Second body member 860 may include first rear portions 862 and/or second rear portion 864.

[0051]Other than in at least some of the operating examples, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages such as those for amounts of materials, moment of inertias, center of gravity locations, loft, angles, various ratios, and others in the aforementioned portions of the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear in the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the above specification and appended claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed technology. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0052]In some examples, substantially parallel may be defined to include zero degrees, or between zero degrees and one degree, or between zero degrees and two degrees, or between zero degrees and five degrees, or between zero degrees and ten degrees of deviation from being exactly parallel to the disclosed front surface. Substantially may be defined to be a value within 10% of the identified value.

[0053]Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the presently disclosed technology are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges of varying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.

[0054]While various embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described above, it should be appreciated these are examples only, and not limiting. Likewise, the various figures may depict an example configuration or structure to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the disclosed technology. The presently disclosed technology is not intended to be restricted to the illustrated example configurations and structures, and the desired features can be implemented with a variety of alternative configurations and structures. It may be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative embodiments can be implemented to impart the desired features of the presently disclosed technology. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments, which would come within the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology.

[0055]While the presently disclosed technology may be described herein in terms of various exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the various features described in any individual embodiment is not limited to its particular embodiment, and can be applied, whether alone or in combinations with features of other embodiments, to another embodiment, whether or not such an embodiment is described herein or described as part of a single embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presently disclosed technology should not be limited to any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[0056]Words, phrases, and their variations that are used herein, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended, not as limiting. For example, the term “include” should be read to mean “include, without limitation”; the term “example” should be read to mean the following provides exemplary instances, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” etc.; and “traditional,” “normal,” and similar terms should not be construed as limiting to a given time period, but should be read to encompass traditional, normal, like technologies that may be known now or at any future point; and a heel-to-toe direction should be read as meaning either the toe-to-heel direction or the heel-to-toe direction, a bottom-to-top direction should be read as meaning either the bottom-to-top direction or the top-to-bottom direction, and a back-to-front direction should be read as meaning either a back-to-front direction or a front-to-back direction. In addition, references herein to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art includes such technologies that are apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art now or at any time in the future.

[0057]The presence of words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “not limited to,” or other similar phrases shall not be read to necessarily mean that the narrower case is intended in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The presence of words such as “first,” “second,” or other similar words shall not be read to mean that there can only be one or two elements.