Vector to_array and as_* functions by ref vs value

[Ababwa]

Is there a reason the to_array and as_* vector functions are by reference? All other vector functions that do not mutate use values.
My case is probably niche, but I happen to be using unaligned vectors, and cannot call by-reference functions on them.
I assume it would be a breaking change to change those functions to use values at this point, but I am curious about the rationale for the original decision.
Thank you