/**
 * Returns the main instance of aasf to prevent the need to use globals.
 *
 * @since  1.0.0
 * @return object America_Ajax_Search_Filter
 */
function america_ajax_search_filter()
{
    $instance = America_Ajax_Search_Filter::instance(__FILE__, '1.0');
    if (is_null($instance->settings)) {
        // TODO: create plugin settings screens
        $instance->settings = America_Ajax_Search_Filter_Settings::instance($instance);
    }
    return $instance;
}