TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an armrest and a child carrier.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Considering children’s seating safety, child carriers such as strollers, child high chairs (or called child dining chairs) are usually equipped with armrests. The armrest extends laterally above a seat, allowing a child to lean forward, while preventing the child from falling forward. In order to improve the comfort of the armrest, the armrest usually includes an armrest body and a covering member. The armrest body is generally made of a tubular product, and the covering member made of leather is arranged around the armrest body. The current manner in which the covering member covers the armrest body is as follows.

[0003] First, the covering member is sewn to have a tubular shape, a glue layer is precoated on an inner surface of the tubular covering member, and glue is pre-coated on an outer surface of the armrest body. Then, the tubular covering member is fitted on the armrest body, and after the glue solidifies, the covering member is firmly adhered onto the armrest body. Since the tubular covering member needs to be fitted on the armrest body, the armrest body generally needs to be made of a tubular product with a uniform diameter, which may not meet the customers’ demands for diversified shapes of the armrests. In addition, in order to ensure the flatness of the tubular covering member, a hole diameter of the tubular covering member is usually smaller than a diameter of the armrest body, which results in a time-consuming and laborious process of fitting the tubular covering member on the armrest body. In addition, due to uneven glue or uneven force during the fitting process, the tubular covering member is prone to wrinkling, which affects the appearance and feel of the armrest.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present application is to provide an armrest that allows an armrest body to be equipped with a covering member while having diversified shapes.

[0005] In an aspect, the present application provides an armrest, including a first armrest cover, a second armrest cover, and a first covering member. The first armrest cover and the second armrest cover are mounted to each other, and at least a part of an outer surface of the first armrest cover is covered by the first covering member.

[0006] In an embodiment, the first covering member includes a first flange. The first flange is clamped between the first armrest cover and the second armrest cover.

[0007] In an embodiment, the first armrest cover is provided with a first cavity including two opposing sidewalls. The first covering member includes two first flanges. The two first flanges extend into the first cavity respectively and correspond to the two sidewalls one by one. The second armrest cover includes two opposing pressing portions, and the two pressing portions are inserted into the first cavity and correspond to the two first flanges one by one. A first portion of each of the two first flanges is clamped between the corresponding sidewall and the corresponding pressing portion.

[0008] In an embodiment, a second portion of each of the two first flanges is clamped between a bottom wall of the first cavity and the corresponding pressing portion.

[0009] In an embodiment, the second armrest cover includes a base portion positioned between the two pressing portions. The two pressing portions cooperate with the base portion to define a second cavity. An opening of the second cavity faces a bottom wall of the first cavity.

[0010] In an embodiment, the first armrest cover is engaged with the second armrest cover.

[0011] In an embodiment, at least one elastic arm is disposed on one of a bottom wall of the first cavity and an inner wall of the second armrest cover, and at least one engaging portion is disposed on the other of the bottom wall of the first cavity and the inner wall of the second armrest cover. The elastic arm and the engaging portion are adapted to be engaged with each other.

[0012] In an embodiment, the engaging portion includes a connecting body and an engaging plate. An end of the connecting body is connected to one of the bottom wall of the first cavity and the inner wall of the second armrest cover, and the engaging plate is positioned on another end of the connecting body. The elastic arm includes an arm body and a finger. An end of the arm body is connected to the other of the bottom wall of the first cavity and the inner wall of the second armrest cover. The finger is positioned on another end of the arm body. The engaging plate and the finger are adapted to be engaged with each other.

[0013] In an embodiment, a lateral movement of the finger is limited by the connecting body; and/or each of the at least one engaging portion corresponds to a pair of elastic arms, and the pair of elastic arms clamps the corresponding engaging portion.

[0014] In an embodiment, both ends of the first cavity are respectively provided with a first end wall, and both ends of the second armrest cover are respectively provided with a second end wall. One of the adjacent first end wall and second end wall is provided with a protrusion, and the other of the adjacent first end wall and second end wall is provided with a hole. The protrusion is engaged into the hole.

[0015] In an embodiment, the first covering member is adhered to the first armrest cover; or a cushioning layer is disposed between the first covering member and the first armrest cover.

[0016] In an embodiment, the first armrest cover is riveted or welded to the second armrest cover, or connected to the second armrest cover by a pull rivet, or the first armrest cover is detachably connected to the second armrest cover.

[0017] In an embodiment, the first covering member is leather, fabric or a decorative film. [0018] In another aspect, the present application provides a child carrier including the armrest as described above.

[0019] In an embodiment, the child carrier further includes side armrest supports on both sides. Two ends of the armrest are detachably connected to the side armrest supports on both sides. [0020] In the armrest according to the embodiments of the present application, the armrest body is divided into two separate parts, the first armrest cover and the second armrest cover. The first covering member covers the first armrest cover instead of being fitted on the outside of the entire armrest body. Thus, a shape of the armrest body is not limited to a tubular shape with a uniform cross section, and the first armrest cover and the second armrest cover can be designed to have any suitable shape according to ergonomics or other needs, so as to meet the customers’ demands on diversified shapes of the armrests. The operation of attaching the first covering member to the first armrest cover saves time and effort. In addition, during the attaching process, a shape of the first covering member can be adjusted conveniently, which can effectively avoid undesired wrinkles of the first covering member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings constituting a part of this application are used to provide further understanding of the present application, and the schematic embodiments and descriptions of the present application are used to illustrate the present application, and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present application.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a child carrier according to an embodiment of the present application, with the child carrier adopting an armrest according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view schematically showing an armrest mounted on side armrest supports of a child carrier according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] FIG. 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 2, and shows a first armrest cover, a second armrest cover, and a first covering member according to an example.

[0025] FIG. 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2, and shows a first armrest cover, a second armrest cover, and a first covering member according to another example. [0026] FIG. 5 schematically shows a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the line A -A in FIG. 2, and shows a first armrest cover, a second armrest cover, and a first covering member according to yet another example.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view schematically showing an armrest according to an embodiment of the present application, with the first covering member being omitted for ease of illustration.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view schematically showing an armrest according to an embodiment of the present application, with the first covering member being omitted for ease of illustration.

[0029] FIG. 8 is an exploded top view schematically showing the armrest according to an embodiment of the present application, with the first covering member being omitted for ease of illustration.

[0030] FIG. 9 is an exploded bottom view schematically showing an armrest according to an embodiment of the present application, with the first covering member being omitted for ease of illustration.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view schematically showing an armrest according to another embodiment of the present application, with the first covering member being omitted for ease of illustration.

[0032] FIG. 11 is an exploded top view schematically showing an armrest according to another embodiment of the present application, with the first covering member being omitted for ease of illustration.

[0033] FIG. 12 is an exploded bottom view schematically showing an armrest according to another embodiment of the present application, with the first covering member being omitted for ease of illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0034] FIG. l is a perspective view schematically showing a child carrier 100 according to an embodiment of the present application, with the child carrier 100 adopting an armrest 7 according to an embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the child carrier 100 is exemplarily described by taking a stroller as an example, and the armrest 7 extends laterally above a seat. It can be understood that the type of the child carrier 100 is not limited to a stroller, which can be, for example, a child dining chair, a child tricycle or other carrier products for the child to sit on. The armrest 7 is not limited to the type shown in FIG. 1, and in some embodiments, the armrest 7 can be, for example, a push handle armrest of a child carrier such as a stroller. In addition, the armrest 7 according to the embodiment of the present application is not limited to be applied to the child carrier 100, and can be applied to any suitable product.

[0035] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1 , a main frame of the child carrier 100 is generally symmetrical in a left-right direction, including components such as a front foot frame 1, a rear foot frame 2, a push handle 3, a backrest frame 4, a roof frame 5, a side armrest support 6, an armrest 7, and a seat support 8. The connection relationship between these components can refer to related technologies, and will not be repeated herein. In some embodiments, the main frame of the child carrier 100 can be folded so that the child carrier 100 has a smaller volume when not in use. In some alternative embodiments, the main frame of the child carrier 100 may not be foldable.

[0036] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, the seat support 8 is used, for example, to support a seat board (not shown in the figure). The seat board may be covered by a seat cloth to provide a more comfortable seating experience for the child. The armrest 7 is positioned above the seat support 8 and extends laterally (i.e., extends in the left- right direction in FIG. 1). When the child is seated in the stroller, the armrest 7 is positioned in front of the child. Two ends 71a of the armrest 7 are bent backward, and can be connected to the side armrest supports 6 on both sides through any suitable connecting structure. In some embodiments, the two ends 71a of the armrest 7 can be detachably connected to the side armrest supports 6 on both sides, so that the armrest 7 can be detached from the side armrest supports 6 when needed, thereby reducing the difficulty of taking the child out of a seating position.

[0037] It should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, orientation terms such as “front”, “rear”, “left”, and “right” in the embodiments of the present application base on “front”, “rear”, “left”, and “right” orientations of the child seating in the child carrier, and in the figures, arrows F and B are used to schematically show the directions of “front” and “back”, and arrows L and R are used to schematically show the directions of “left” and ‘right”. These orientation terms are only used to make the description of the embodiments of the present application clearer, and are not used to improperly limit the protection scope of the present application.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the armrest 7 according to the embodiment of the present application includes an armrest body and a first covering member 73. The armrest body includes a first armrest cover 71 and a second armrest cover 72. The first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 can be assembled together in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 are arranged in an up-down direction, and the second armrest cover 72 is mounted at the bottom of the first armrest cover 71. In some embodiments, two ends of the first armrest cover 71 may be used as, for example, two ends 71a of the armrest 7. The two ends of the first armrest cover 71 are detachably connected to the side armrest supports 6 on both sides. In some alternative embodiments, the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 are arranged, for example, in a front-rear direction. The second armrest cover 72 is mounted, for example, on the front side of the first armrest cover 71. When a child is seated in the child carrier 100, the first armrest cover 71 is more likely to receive external force than the second armrest cover 72, and for example, the external force may be result from the child’s grasping, leaning against or collision, etc. The first covering member 73 covers an outer surface of the first armrest cover 71. The first covering member 73 can be made of leather (including natural leather and artificial leather, the artificial leather, for example, including but not limited to ethylvinylacetate, referred to as EVA), fabric (or called cloth) or other soft materials (such as decorative film). The first covering member 73 provides a more comfortable feel for the armrest 7, and plays a role in shock absorption.

[0039] In the armrest 7 according to the embodiments of the present application, the armrest body is divided into two separate parts, the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72. The first covering member 73 covers the first armrest cover 71 instead of being fitted on the outside of the entire armrest body. Thus, a shape of the armrest body is not limited to a tubular shape with a uniform cross section, and the first armrest cover 73 and the second armrest cover 72 can be designed to have any suitable shape according to ergonomics or other needs, so as to meet the customers’ demands on diversified shapes of the armrests 7. Compared with the solution of fitting the tubular covering member on the armrest 7 in the related art, in the embodiment of the present application, the operation of attaching the first covering member 73 to the first armrest cover 71 saves time and effort. In addition, during the attaching process, a shape of the first covering member 73 can be adjusted conveniently, which can effectively avoid undesired wrinkles of the first covering member 73.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, the first covering member 73 can be cut into a shape matching the outer surface of the first armrest cover 71 and then attached to the first armrest cover 71. An edge of the first covering member 73 includes two end edges 73a and two opposing side edges 73b between the two end edges 73a. In some embodiments, after covering the first armrest cover 71, the first covering member 73 is adhered to the first armrest cover 71, and the two end edges 73 a of the first covering member 73 are close to both ends of the first armrest cover 71, and the two side edges 73b of the first covering member 73 are opposed to the second armrest cover 72 mounted to the bottom of the first armrest cover 71. The second armrest cover 72 covers edge lines of the two side edges 73b, so that, on the one hand, it can avoid easily turning outwards because the side edges 73b of the first covering member 73 are exposed, and on the other hand, it is beneficial to the aesthetic appearance of the armrest 7.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, in some embodiments, the two side edges 73b of the first covering member 73 are respectively provided with a first flange 731. After the first covering member 73 covers the first armrest cover 71, for example, the first covering member 73 is adhered to the first armrest cover 71, two first flanges 731 are clamped between the bottom of the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72. In this way, the first covering member 73 can be more firmly attached to the first armrest cover 71 and can be kept in tension, so as to prevent the first covering member 73 from loosening and wrinkling etc. due to weak glue after a long time of use. In some embodiments, the first armrest cover 71 may be provided with a first cavity 710 extending laterally, and/or the second armrest cover 72 may be provided with a second cavity 720 extending laterally. Edges of the first flanges 731 may be received in the first cavity 710 and /or the second cavity 720. In this way, it is possible to prevent the edges of the first flanges 731 from being compressed between surfaces of the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 that are in contact with each other, and to avoid bulging phenomenon of the first covering member 73 due to poor attaching.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, in some embodiments, the first cavity 710 is arranged at the bottom of the first armrest cover 71. The first cavity 710 extends laterally, and the first cavity 710 includes two sidewalls 711 that are opposed to each other in the front-rear direction. After the first covering member 73 covers the first armrest cover 71, the side edges 73 b of the first covering member 73 in the front-rear direction include the first flanges 731 respectively. The two first flanges 731 respectively extend over the bottom edge of the first armrest cover 71 and extend into the first cavity 710, and the two first flanges 731 correspond to the two sidewalls 711 one by one. The second armrest cover 72 includes two pressing portions 721 that are opposed to each other in the front-rear direction. The two pressing portions 721 are inserted into the first cavity 710 and correspond to the two first flanges 731 one by one. In some embodiments, a first portion 7311 of each of the first flanges 731 is clamped between the corresponding sidewall 711 and the corresponding pressing portion 721.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a gap is reserved between each of the pressing portions 721 and the corresponding sidewall 711 according to a thickness of the first covering member 73. The gap may have a thickness of 1.2 mm, for example, which is smaller than thicknesses of the first flanges 731 of the first covering member 73. In the process of inserting each of the pressing portions 721 of the second armrest cover 72 into the first cavity 710 and compressing each of the first flanges 731, the first portion 7311 of each of the first flanges 731 is moved inward along the sidewall 711, driven by the pressing portions 721, which is beneficial to the further tension of the first covering member 73 on the first armrest cover 71, effectively avoiding the bad appearance of the first covering member 73. In addition, most of the second armrest cover 72 can be received in the first cavity 710, which is also beneficial to the aesthetic appearance of the armrest 7.

[0044] Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, a second portion 7312 of each of the first flanges 731 is clamped between a bottom wall 712 of the first cavity 710 and the corresponding pressing portion 721, so that each of the first flanges 731 is less likely to move with respect to the pressing portion 721 and the sidewall 711 of the first cavity 710, further ensuring the tension of the first covering member 73. In addition, as described above, the first cavity 710 of the first armrest cover 71 and/or the second cavity 720 of the second armrest cover 72 can receive the edges of the first flanges 731. In this way, it is possible to prevent the edges of the first flanges 731 from being compressed between the surfaces of the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 that are in contact with each other, and to avoid bulging phenomenon of the first covering member 73 due to poor attaching. It should be noted that, in some alternative embodiments, each of the first flanges 731 may not include the above-mentioned second portion 7312, but only include the above-mentioned first portion 7311.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, in some embodiments, the second armrest cover 72 includes a base portion 722 positioned between two pressing portions 721. The two pressing portions 721 are bent relative to the base portion 722. More specifically, the two pressing portions 721 extend upward from front and rear edges of the base portion 722 respectively. The two pressing portions 721 cooperate with the base portion 722 to define the second cavity 720 extending laterally. An opening of the second cavity 720 faces the bottom wall 712 of the first cavity 710. The second armrest cover 72 has a simple configuration, is easy to manufacture, and has low cost.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 9, an exemplary mode for connection between the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 is shown. In some embodiments, a plurality of mounting bases 723 may be arranged laterally on the base portion 722 of the second armrest cover 72, and a plurality of fasteners 9 may be mounted in the plurality of mounting bases 723 respectively to connect the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 to each other. In some embodiments, the fastener 9 may be a pull nail or a rivet, so that the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 are non- detachably connected in the form of riveting. In addition, in some alternative embodiments, the fastener 9 may not be provided, and the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 may be welded to each other. [0047] In some alternative embodiments, the first armrest cover 71 is, for example, detachably connected to the second armrest cover 72, so that the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 can be replaced separately. There are many ways to detachably connect the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72. For example, the above- mentioned plurality of fasteners 9 mounted in the plurality of mounting bases 723 can be replaced by bolts or screws. The first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 are connected to each other by means of bolts or screws.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, after the two pressing portions 721 of the second armrest cover 72 have been inserted into the first cavity 710 but before the fastener 9 is mounted, there may be a certain gap between the bottom wall 712 of the first cavity 710 and the mounting base 723. When the fastener 9 is mounted, the fastener 9 abuts the mounting base 723 against the bottom wall 712 of the first cavity 710, and the second armrest cover 72 is deformed under force, and the two pressing portions 721 of the second armrest cover 72 has a tendency to spread out, and thus compress the two first flanges 731 more tightly.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, another exemplary mode for connection between the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 is shown. More specifically, the first armrest cover 71 is engaged with the second armrest cover 72. In some embodiments, an inner wall of the second armrest cover 72 (more specifically, see FIG. 11, a bottom wall 7201 of the second cavity 720) is provided with one or more elastic arms 91, and the bottom wall 712 of the first cavity 710 is provided with one or more engaging portions 92. The elastic arms 91 and the engaging portion 92 are adapted to be engaged with each other so that the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 are assembled together. Certainly, in some alternative embodiments, positions of the elastic arms 91 on the bottom wall 7201 of the second cavity 720 and positions of the engaging portion 92 on the bottom wall 712 of the first cavity 710 can be interchanged.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 12, exemplary configurations of the engaging portion 92 and the elastic arm 91 are shown. The engaging portion 92 includes a connecting body 921 and an engaging plate 922. An end of the connecting body 921 is connected to the bottom wall 712 of the first cavity 710, and the engaging plate 922 is positioned at another end of the connecting body 921. The elastic arm 91 includes an arm body 911 and a finger 912. An end of the arm body 911 is connected to the bottom wall 7201 of the second cavity 720, and the finger 912 is positioned at another end of the arm body 911. When mounting the second armrest cover 72 on the first armrest cover 71, each of the pressing portions 721 is inserted into the first cavity 710, and then the second armrest cover 72 is pressed so that the fingers 912 of the elastic arm 91 is automatically engaged with the engaging plate 922 in a hooked manner.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in some embodiments, through the abutment between the connecting body 921 and the finger 912, the lateral movement of the finger 912 is limited by the connecting body 921, preventing the second armrest cover 72 from shaking relative to the first armrest cover 71 in the left-right direction. As can be seen from FIG. 12, in the case of arranging the plurality of engaging portions 92, the connecting bodies 921 of a part of engaging portions 92 can be used to limit the leftward movements of the corresponding fingers 912, and the connecting bodies 921 of the other part of engaging portions 92 can be used to limit the rightward movements of the corresponding fingers 912. Certainly, in some alternative embodiments, the connecting bodies 921 of some engaging portions 92 can limit the leftward and rightward movements of the corresponding fingers 912 at the same time.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in some embodiments, each of the engaging portions 92 corresponds to a pair of elastic arms 91. The pair of elastic arms 91 are arranged to be opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction (also referred to as the front-rear direction). When the fingers 912 of the pair of elastic arms 91 are engaged with the engaging plate 922 of the corresponding engaging portion 92, the engaging plate 922 of the engaging portion 92 is clamped between the arm bodies 911 of the pair of elastic arms 91. In this way, it is beneficial to prevent the second armrest cover 72 from shaking in the front-rear direction relative to the first armrest cover 71.

[0053] Continuing to refer to FIGS . 10 to 12, in some embodiments, both ends of the first cavity 710 are respectively provided with a first end wall 717, and both ends of the second armrest cover 72 are respectively provided with a second end wall 727. Two second end walls 727 are positioned between two first end walls 717. One of the adjacent first end wall 717 and second end wall 727 is provided with a protrusion 93, and the other is provided with a hole 94. When the second armrest cover 72 is mounted onto the first armrest cover 71, the protrusion 93 is engaged into the hole 94, which further enhances the connection reliability between the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72.

[0054] In some unshown embodiments, when the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 are engaged with each other by the elastic arms 91 and the engaging portions 92, at least a part of the outer surface of the second armrest cover 72 can be covered by a second covering member. The second covering member may have a second flange. The second flange and the first flange 731 are clamped between the first armrest cover 71 and the second armrest cover 72 at the same time.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first covering member 73 can be directly adhered to the first armrest cover 71. In some embodiments, a cushioning layer (not shown in the figure) may also be disposed between the first covering member 73 and the first armrest cover 71. The cushioning layer may be, for example, a foam layer or a silicone layer. The cushioning layer can provide better shock absorption effect for the armrest 7. The cushioning layer can be sewn or glued onto the first covering member 73, and then adhered to the first armrest cover 71. In some embodiments, the cushioning layer does not cover the two first flanges 731 of the first covering member 73.

[0056] The mounting process of the armrest 7 according to the embodiments of the present application is as follows.

[0057] 1. An adhesive layer is arranged on the inner surface of the first covering member 73 in advance, the glue is applied on the first armrest cover 71, and then the first covering member 73 is tensioned on the first armrest cover 71, taking care to avoid wrinkles during the tensioning process. Then, the two side edges 73b of the first covering member 73 are turned toward the inside of the first cavity 710 to form the two first flanges 731.

[0058] 2. After inserting the two pressing portions 721 of the second armrest cover 72 into the first cavity 710, the second armrest cover 72 is fixed to the first armrest cover 71, and the first flanges 731 are firmly clamped between the sidewall 711 of the first cavity 710 and the pressing portions 721, so that the first covering member 73 is maintained in a tensioned state. The second armrest cover 72 can be fixed to the first armrest cover 7 1 by using the above-mentioned fasteners 9, or engaged with the first armrest cover 71 by using the above-mentioned elastic arms 91 and the engaging portions 92.

[0059] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. To simplify the description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, all of the combinations of these technical features should be considered as being fallen within the scope of the present disclosure, as long as such combinations do not contradict with each other.

[0060] The foregoing embodiments merely illustrate some embodiments of the present disclosure, and descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed. However, it should not be understood as a limitation to the patent scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that, a person of ordinary skill in the art may further make some variations and improvements without departing from the concept of the present disclosure, and the variations and improvements falls in the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be subject to the appended claims.