Patent Publication Number: US-2011047898-A1

Title: Building components and the buildings constructed therewith

Description:
FIELD 
     Embodiments of this invention relate generally to buildings and the building components used to construct the buildings. 
     BACKGROUND 
     One important consideration when designing and constructing buildings is determining how the utility components, such as air ducting, electrical wires and plumbing, should be laid out and incorporated into the building. Time and effort must be expended to determine an appropriate plan for the utility components. Furthermore, the utility components are generally located where they cannot be viewed by the building&#39;s occupants. As such, the utility components are generally installed before the walls are enclosed, making it difficult to change the layout of the utility components or access the utility components for maintenance and/or repair once the floors and walls are complete. After the utility components are enclosed and the building is complete, the walls, floors or ceilings must be damaged to access the utility components for maintenance, repair or upgrading. Moreover, extensive modification to the building structure may be required to provide utilities to a newly redefined space or room if it is later desired to extend utilities to a location where utilities were originally not planned. For example, when a room originally designed for storage is later converted to a room for people to occupy. 
     Another important consideration in building construction is the amount of maintenance required to maintain the building components. For example, climate control and/or corrosion inhibiting coatings (such as paint) are required when constructing buildings with steel framing to prevent rust and loss of structural integrity. Similarly, the wood in wood-framed buildings must be treated to prevent rotting and/or insect infestation, which can lead to loss of structural integrity if not treated. Concrete, on the other hand, requires relatively little maintenance as compared to other materials such as steel and wood. However, concrete can be more difficult to work with since, as typically used, forms must be custom assembled at the building site and wet, uncured concrete must be transported and poured into the molds relatively quickly to avoid degradations in its structural integrity once cured. 
     Furthermore, most buildings require the workers at the building site to customize the building components in accordance with the building plans. For example, most of a home&#39;s framing is custom built on-site by cutting and adjusting wood beams to the appropriate size and shape, and connecting the beams to one another to form the frame of the house in accordance with the building plans. This on-site customization of building components increases the time and cost required for building construction. Although some components such as trusses may be preassembled, these preassembled components generally comprise a small percentage of the building. 
     Consequently, the inventor realized there is a need for improvements in building construction and the components used to construct buildings. Certain preferred features of the present invention address these and other needs and provide other important advantages. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide improved building components and the buildings constructed therewith. 
     In accordance with one aspect of embodiments of the present invention, an improved method and apparatus for constructing buildings using interconnecting, preformed components is disclosed. The preformed components are generally formed at a location different from the building site (off-site), although the components may also be formed on-site and connected together to form a building. The individual components are constructed of concrete or similar material, and may optionally include reinforcing bars (rebar). 
     To form the foundation for a building, foundation members, for example interior and exterior foundation blocks, are arranged on a surface, such as the ground. Each foundation block has a substantially flat base portion with at least one upwardly extending floor support. The floor supports are adapted to support flooring members, such as floor tiles. Optionally, the foundation blocks can each include one or more connectors (which include, for example, mortises or recesses), for coupling with vertical support columns, such as wall columns, that extend above the floor. 
     The base portions of the foundation blocks optionally include connectors, such as vertically oriented apertures, that can connect to optional footers that may be positioned below the foundation blocks and inhibit the foundation blocks from shifting with respect to one another. As still another option, the connectors in the base portions of the foundation blocks can connect to supplemental floor supports that extend upward from the base of the foundation block to support floor tiles. 
     Central foundation blocks, which in one embodiment are generally square with a substantially flat base portion, a floor support on each corner and a floor support in the middle, are typically arranged side-by-side. Exterior foundation blocks, which in one embodiment have substantially flat base portions and spaced-apart vertical floor supports extending upward from the base portions, are typically arranged around the perimeter of central foundation blocks. 
     Floor tiles are placed on top of the foundation blocks and are supported by the upwardly extending floor supports. The foundation block floor supports are spaced apart and, when floor tiles are positioned atop the floor supports, a floor chase is formed above the base portion of the foundation blocks and below the floor tiles. The floor chase extends between adjacent foundation blocks and throughout the entire arrangement of foundation blocks and floor tiles. The open space provided by the floor chase is useful as providing a built-in location for utilities, such as electrical wire, gas lines, sewage lines and water lines. 
     In addition to the vertical floor supports, the exterior foundation blocks optionally include vertically-oriented abutments to inhibit the floor tiles from moving horizontally toward the outside of the foundation. 
     The wall columns include connectors (which include, for example, tenons or posts) that are complementary to the connectors on the exterior foundation blocks. The wall columns are elongated and, when connected to the exterior foundation blocks, extend upwardly to form, for example, portions of interior walls, portions of exterior walls, supports for additional floors, and/or supports for roof trusses. In one embodiment, the wall columns further include elongated recesses, for example channels, extending along the length of the wall columns. The elongated recesses form utility space within the walls when covering panels, such as wall plates, are attached to the wall columns. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the exterior foundation blocks are constructed with at least one recess that form passageways to interconnect the utility space in the walls with the floor chase. 
     Roof supports, for example roof support blocks, can be placed on top of and span the distance between the wall column in a wall. The roof support blocks include connectors (for example, downwardly extending protrusions) for securing the roof support blocks to the tops of the wall columns. The roof support blocks can also include upwardly extending connectors for attaching the roof support blocks to trusses that span the distance between walls. In one embodiment, the trusses are generally triangular and include reinforcing cross-members. V-shaped roof panels are optionally placed on the trusses to form the roof structure, and ridge covers can be placed between the roof panels to inhibit moisture from entering the building between the roof panels. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of the concepts that are described in further detail in the detailed description and drawings contained herein. This summary is not intended to identify any primary or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Some or all of the described features may be present in the corresponding independent or dependent claims, but should not be construed to be a limitation unless expressly recited in a particular claim. Each embodiment described herein is not intended to address every object described herein, and each embodiment does not necessarily include each feature described. Other forms, embodiments, objects, advantages, benefits, features, and aspects of the present invention will become apparent to one of skill in the art from the detailed description and drawings contained herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a partially-constructed building according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a central foundation block according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a top plan view of the central foundation block depicted in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2C  is a side elevational view of the central foundation block depicted in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an exterior side foundation block according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of the exterior side foundation block depicted in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is a side elevational view of the exterior side foundation block depicted in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3D  is a cross-section view of the exterior side foundation block depicted in  FIG. 3B  taken along the line  3 D- 3 D. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the top of an exterior side foundation block with an external conduit according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the bottom of the exterior side foundation block with an external conduit depicted in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a side elevational view of the exterior side foundation block with an external conduit depicted in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an exterior corner foundation block according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a top plan view of the exterior corner foundation block depicted in  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5C  is a side elevational view of the exterior corner foundation block depicted in  FIG. 5B  taken along the line  5 C- 5 C. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a footer according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a floor tile according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a wall column according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of a wall column with a wall plate according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a corner wall column mounted on an exterior corner foundation block according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of a component of the corner wall column depicted in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9C  is a perspective view of another component of the corner wall column depicted in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9D  is a perspective view of still another component of the corner wall column depicted in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9E  is a perspective view of yet another component depicted in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9F  is a perspective view of a corner wall column mounted on an exterior corner foundation block according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of the exterior side of a roof support block according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the interior side of the roof support block depicted in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10C  is a perspective view of the interior side of the roof support block depicted in  FIG. 10B  with an alternate embodiment truss connector. 
         FIG. 10D  is a perspective view of the interior side of the roof support block depicted in  FIG. 10B  with another alternate embodiment truss connector. 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of the exterior side of a roof support block according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of an interior side of the roof support block depicted in  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a roof truss according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12B  is a perspective view of a roof truss according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of the top side of a roof panel according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13B  is a perspective view of the bottom side of the roof panel depicted in  FIG. 13A . 
         FIG. 13C  is a cross-section view of the roof panel depicted in  FIG. 13A  taken along the line  13 C- 13 C. 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of the top side of a roof panel according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of the bottom side of the roof panel depicted in  FIG. 14A . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a partially constructed building according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective of a garage side wall column and garage side wall foundation block according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17A  is a perspective view of two roof support trusses according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17B  is a side elevational view of the two roof support trusses depicted in  FIG. 17A . 
         FIG. 17C  is a side elevational view of two roof support trusses according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a roof tile according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a roof tile according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the selected embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is hereby intended, such alterations, modifications, and further applications of the principles of the invention being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Embodiments of the invention are shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features or some combinations of features may not be shown for the sake of clarity. 
     A chase is an open space that, typically, is substantially enclosed and substantially concealed from the occupiable space of a building with the building occupants being unable to view the interior of the chase. A chase is generally suited for containing utility components (for example, wires, ducts and pipes) and provides space through which the utility components can be routed between different portions of a building, which includes different portions of a room within a building. A chase may also be filled with insulating material to enhance the ability of the structure to insulate the interior from the outside elements. 
     A recess is an open space, such as a groove or other type of indentation, that is not substantially enclosed. A chase may be formed by enclosing portions, either whole portions or partial portions, of a recess. 
     Depicted in  FIG. 1  is a partially-constructed building  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Building  100  includes a foundation  110 , walls  120  and roof  130 . Foundation  110  includes central foundation blocks  140 , exterior side foundation blocks  150 , exterior corner foundation blocks  160 , and optionally footers  170 . The foundation blocks  140 ,  150  and  160  are placed on leveled ground, sand, compressed aggregate, footings or footing blocks. Footers  170  can be placed under the foundation blocks  140 ,  150  and  160  when the ground is not sufficiently stable to place foundation blocks  140 ,  150  and  160  directly on the ground or onto compressed aggregate. 
     It should be appreciated that foundation  110  requires less preparation and time to form than traditional foundations. For example, traditional concrete foundations typically require preparation of the ground followed by the construction of custom assembled forms. After construction of the forms, wet concrete is poured and it must be allowed to cure, which may take days, before it may be built upon. In contrast, depending on the ground upon which the building is to be constructed, all that may be required is to level the ground before the foundation blocks  140 ,  150  and  160 , and optional footers  170 , are arranged on top of the ground. Furthermore, the rest of the building can be built upon the foundation immediately after the foundation blocks are in place. 
     Floor tiles  180  are positioned on top of foundation blocks  140 ,  150  and  160  to form a usable floor inside the building. Floor tiles  180  are supported by foundation block floor supports  142 ,  152  and  162 , which extend upward from the bases of the foundation blocks  140 ,  150  and  160 , respectively. A floor chase  185  is formed in the gap created by the distance the floor supports hold the floor tiles above the base of the foundation blocks, between the base of the foundation blocks  140 ,  150  and  160  and the floor tiles  180 . 
     Wall columns  190  are connected adjacent the exterior side foundation blocks  150 . Wall columns  190  typically include recesses, for example recessed channels  192 , that form chases  194  within the walls. In the illustrated embodiment, wall plates  200  are connected to wall columns  190 . The interior side of the wall is also formed by wall plates  200 . Preferably, exterior side foundation blocks  150  include recesses  154  that form connecting passageways capable of routing utility components between the wall chase  194  and the floor chase  185 . 
     Corner wall columns  210  are connected to the exterior corner foundation blocks  160 , and include recesses  212  that form chases  214  (see  FIG. 9A ) within the corner wall columns  210 . Exterior corner foundation blocks  160  include recesses  164  (see  FIGS. 5A-5C ) that form connecting passageways capable of routing utility components between the corner wall chases  214  and the floor chase  185 . 
     Optionally connected to the top of wall columns  190  are roof support blocks  220 , and optionally connected to the top of corner wall columns  210  are roof support blocks  230 . Connectors  222  (see  FIG. 10A ) and connectors  240  may be used to engage roof support blocks  220  and assist in connecting roof support blocks  220  to wall columns  190 . The connectors  232  (see  FIG. 11A ) and the connectors  240  may be used to connect roof support blocks  230  to corner wall columns  210 . Depicted in  FIG. 1  are two example embodiments of connector  240 : connector  240 A and connector  240 C. Trusses  250  are optionally connected to roof support blocks  220  and  230  (and wall columns  190  and corner wall columns  160 ), at least in part, using connectors  240 . 
     Roof panels  260  and  270  may be connected to the tops of trusses  250 , each roof panel  260  or  270  forming a portion of the exterior of roof  130 . Ridge covers  280  are optionally placed between individual roof panels to seal the roof and inhibit rain, snow or other forms of weather phenomena from entering the building. The ridge covers  280  can be made from a variety of materials, such as copper, brass, stainless steel, rubber, concrete, ceramic or asphalt. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the components used to construct building  100  are formed from concrete, and may include reinforcing bar (“rebar”) as required for particular applications. Using concrete to form the components provides building structures that do not rust and are not structurally degraded by pests such as rodents or insects. Additionally, the thermal mass of the concrete components can collectively operate as a hot or cold temperature reservoir and enhance the efficiency of the building by requiring less energy to either cool or heat the building throughout the year. In other embodiments, some of the components used to construct building  100  are formed from materials other than concrete that provide sufficient strength to construct a building, such as recycled composites. In still further embodiments, some of the above-disclosed components may be used in conjunction with more traditional building components, such as prefabricated wooden or steel trusses. 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C is a central foundation block according to one embodiment of the present invention. Central foundation block  140  includes a base portion  144  with floor supports  142  extending upwardly from base portion  144 . The floor support  142  located near the center of central foundation block  140  includes a connector  146 , which includes a recess (or mortise)  147 . Connector  146  can be used to connect central foundation block  140  to support columns, for example, support columns  310 ,  312  and  315  (see  FIG. 15 ). Connector  146  may alternatively be used to connect central foundation block  140  to a handle or other apparatus for moving central foundation block  140 . For example, the depicted recess of connector  146  may include a flared portion at the bottom of the recess, which is adapted to receive an expanding tool that a person can use to lift central foundation block  140 . Although connector  146  is depicted as generally square, alternate embodiments include connectors  146  with different geometric shapes, such as circles. 
     Central foundation block  140  also includes connectors  148  in base portion  144 . Connectors  148  are adapted to connect to the connectors  174  on footers  170  (see  FIG. 6 ), and may alternatively be used for handling and moving central foundation block  140 , similar to connector  146 . Connectors  148  may also be used to connect to supplemental floor supports extending upward from connectors  148 . The supplemental floor supports (not depicted) can be cylindrical dowel-type rods that fit into connectors  148 , or may be thicker block-like structures with a pin-type connector on the bottom surface that is complementary to connector  148 . 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D is an exterior side foundation block  150  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Exterior side foundation block  150  includes a base portion  151  with floor supports  152  extending upwardly therefrom. Exterior side foundation block optionally includes a connector  153 , which is similar to connector  146  in central foundation block  140 , which includes a recess (or mortise)  153 A, and connects with wall columns  190  (see  FIG. 8A ). Recesses  154  in exterior side foundation block  150  may also be included to create a passageway connecting the recessed channels  192  in wall columns  190  (see  FIGS. 1 and 8A ) to the floor chase  185 . See  FIG. 1 . See also  FIG. 9A  for another example of a recess (recess  164 ) forming a connecting passageway between a wall chase (corner wall chase  214 ) and the floor chase  185 . 
     Exterior side foundation block  150  can also include connectors  155  (see  FIG. 3B ), which are similar to connectors  148  in central foundation block  140 . Side connectors  155 , which are recesses that provide locations for the attachment of tools for moving and positioning exterior side foundation block  150 , may also be included with exterior side foundation block  150   
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3B , exterior side foundation block  150  includes five floor supports: two floor supports  152  similar to floor supports  142  in central foundation block  140 , and three floor supports  152 A. Floor supports  152 A support the edges of floor tiles  180  while the floor supports  152  support central portions of floor tiles  180  that are spaced from the edges. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the exterior side foundation block  150  may support two separate floor tiles  180  that abut one another along the central floor support  152 A located adjacent connector  153 . 
     Positioned adjacent to the floor supports  152 A in the depicted embodiment are floor tile abutments  156  (see  FIG. 3C ). Floor tile abutments  156  abut the side edges of floor tiles  180 , restrain the lateral movement of floor tiles  180 , and inhibit floor tiles  180  from moving outside of the building structure. 
     The exterior surface portion  157  of foundation block  150  may be sloped to channel water and enhance water run-off. In an alternate embodiment, the exterior surface portion  157  of exterior side foundation block  150  is shaped to perform different tasks or provide different capabilities. For example, in one alternate embodiment of exterior side foundation block  150 , exterior surface portion  157  is formed into steps  157 A (see  FIG. 1 ) to enhance the accessibility to building  100  by those entering the building  100  by foot. In another embodiment, exterior surface portion  157  includes concave portions that form gutters  157 B (see  FIG. 1 ) that channel water to drainage holes  157 C (see  FIG. 1 ) which can connect to drainage pipes to carry water away from the foundation. In still another embodiment, exterior surface portion  157  forms ramps for assisting the entry and exit of wheeled devices, such as wheelchairs, forklifts or hand trucks. 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C is an exterior foundation block  158  with an external conduit  159  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Although similar to exterior side foundation block  150  in many ways, the inclusion of an external conduit  159  in exterior foundation block  158  provides the ability to connect utilities, such as water, electrical, gas and sewer, without the need to drill holes in building  100 . 
       FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C depict an exterior corner foundation block  160  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Exterior corner foundation block  160  includes base portion  161  and floor supports  162  and  162 A extending upwardly therefrom. Optional connector  163 , which in the illustrated embodiment include a recess (or mortise)  168 , is similar to connector  146  in central foundation block  140  and can be used to connect exterior corner foundation block  160  to corner wall column  210 . 
     Recess  164  may also be included in exterior corner foundation block  160  and provides a passageway connecting floor chase  185  (see  FIG. 1 ) to the chases in corner wall columns  210  (see  FIGS. 1 and 9A ). Exterior corner foundation block  160  may also include connectors  165  that are similar to connectors  148  in central foundation block  150 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, exterior corner foundation block  160  includes three floor supports: a single floor support  162  similar to floor supports  142  on central foundation block  140 , and two floor supports  162 A that support the edges near the corner of a floor tile  180 . Positioned adjacent to the floor supports  162  are floor tile abutment portions  166  that abut the edges of floor tiles  180  and inhibit the movement of the floor tiles  180  outside of the building structure. 
     Exterior corner foundation block  160  may also include a sloped exterior surface  167  which aids in the drainage of water away from the building  100 . Side connectors  169 , which are recesses that provide locations for the attachment of tools for moving and positioning exterior corner foundation block  160 , may also be included in exterior corner foundation block  160   
     Depicted in  FIG. 6  is a footer  170  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Footer  170  includes base portion  172  and connectors  174 . In the illustrated embodiment, base portion  172  is generally planar with connectors  174  extending upwardly therefrom. Connectors  174  connect with connectors  148  in central foundation block  140  and may be formed of, for example, rebar. 
     Footers  170  may be optionally used to connect to and hold the foundation blocks  140 ,  150  and  160  together. Using the optional footers to inhibit the relative movement of the foundation blocks has benefits when constructing a building on a surface that is not sufficiently stable for the foundation blocks to rest directly on top. Referring once again to  FIG. 1 , footers  170  and foundation blocks  140 ,  150  and  160  may be generally arranged in a staggered relationship with a single footer  170  being connected to two or more foundation blocks. By staggering the footers  170  between the foundation blocks, the connectors  174  and  148  are able to restrain lateral movement between adjacent foundation blocks and create a stronger and more stable foundation for the building. The staggering of footers  170  between the foundation blocks  140 ,  150  and  160  also gives the foundation flexibility and is capable of holding the foundation together during vertical ground movement, enhancing the ability for the building to maintain structural integrity during an earthquake. Although a square footer  170  with four connectors  174  is depicted in  FIG. 3 , footers with different shapes and different numbers of pins are also utilized. For example,  FIG. 1  also depicts rectangular footers  170  with two connectors  174  and square footers  170  with a single connector  174 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a floor tile  180  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Floor tile  180  is generally planar and optionally includes connectors  182  that can be used to handle and move floor tiles  180 . Floor tiles  180  are arranged on top of floor supports  142 ,  152 ,  152 A,  162  and  162 A to form a floor for building  100  (see  FIG. 1 ). Placing floor tiles  180  atop the floor supports  142 ,  152 ,  152 A,  162  and  162 A creates a utility space (floor chase  185 ) beneath floor tiles  180  and above the base portions of the foundation blocks. Furthermore, floor tiles  180  may be horizontally offset with respect to the central foundation blocks  140  with a single floor tile  180  being supported by at least two foundation blocks. This staggered arrangement between the foundation blocks and the floor tiles  180  assists in providing a stable and secure floor structure. 
     The floor chase  185  provides a convenient space in which utilities such electrical wires, gas lines, water lines, sewer lines and conduits may be located. During construction of, for example, building  100 , utility components can be installed and laid out before all of the floor tiles  180  are positioned on top of the foundation blocks. Once the utility components are set and routed appropriately, the floor tiles  180  may be positioned atop of the foundation blocks to form the floor and floor chase  185 , with the utility components being contained within the floor chase  185 . If it is later desirable to either change the layout of the utility components or access the utility components for, for example, maintenance, some or all of the floor tiles  180  may be removed to provide access to the floor chase  185  and the utility components contained therein. As such, there is no need to damage the floor to provide maintenance or to extend utility components to areas where they were not originally positioned. 
     Although depicted as being generally square in  FIG. 7 , the floor tiles can be formed in various geometric shapes as required for various floor plans. Additionally, the floor tiles  180  may be positioned directly on top of footers  170  to form, for example, garage floors or patio surfaces. Still further, alternate embodiments of floor tiles  180  include apertures or holes, through which access may be gained to the floor chase  185 . For example, a heating and/or air conditioning register may be formed in an aperture in floor tile  180 , and the register may connect to heating and/or air conditioning ducting in floor chase  185 . 
     Depicted in  FIG. 8A  is a wall column  190  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Wall column  190  is an elongated member and typically includes recessed channels  192  and a connector  195 . Recessed channels  192  both reduce the overall weight of wall column  190  and provide a chase through which utility components may run even after a wall plate  200  is attached to wall column  190 . Connector  195 , which in the illustrated embodiment is a protrusion or tenon, is complimentary to connector  153  in exterior side foundation block  150  and used to connect wall column  190  to exterior side foundation block  150 . 
     The tapering of connector  195  enhances the ability of building  100  to withstand earthquakes. For example, the tapered end of connector  195  allows the wall column  190  to reseat itself within, for example, connector  153  of exterior side foundation block  150  if connector  195  is moved out of position during an earthquake. Furthermore, initial testing indicates that a tapered connector  195  appears to resist fracturing better during earthquake-induced movement than a non-tapered connector  195 . Nevertheless, it is contemplated that embodiments of the present invention include non-tapered connectors for use in, for example, non-earthquake prone areas. 
     Depicted in  FIG. 8B  is a wall column  196  and wall plate  200  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Wall column  196  is shorter, but otherwise similar to wall column  190 . With wall plate  200  connected to wall column  196 , two chases  194  are formed between recessed channels  192  and wall plate  200 . Wall plate  200  optionally includes one or more apertures  202  which allows access to wall chase  194 . Aperture  202  is useful for forming electrical outlets, switches or other types of controls or access to utilities. 
     The space between the wall columns  190  can be filled with solid wall panels, such as the solid wall panel  197  depicted in  FIG. 1 , to form a wall. The space between the wall columns  190  may also be filled with wall panels  198  that include windows. Alternately, one or more doors  199  may be included in the space between wall columns  190  and serve as points of entry into the building. 
     It should be appreciated that the width of wall column  190 , wall panels  197  and  198  can vary. For example, the width of wall columns  190  can be less than that depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 8A  and the width of the solid wall panel  197  depicted in  FIG. 1  can be wider than that depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     Depicted in  FIG. 9A  is a corner wall column  210  connected to an exterior corner foundation block  160  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Corner wall column  210  includes a connector  216  (see  FIG. 9B ) similar to connector  195  of wall column  190 , which connects to connector  163  of corner wall column  160 . Corner wall column  210  can also include chases  214 , which are integrally formed with corner wall column  210  and communicate with recess  164  in exterior corner foundation block  160 . Corner wall column  210  optionally includes connector  215 , which connects to connector  240 A,  240 B or  240 C (see  FIGS. 10-11B ). 
     Corner wall column  210  includes four pieces that combine to form corner wall column  210 . Depicted in  FIG. 9B  is corner wall column component  210 A, which includes connector  216  and recessed channel  217 . Depicted in  9 C is corner wall column component  210 B, which is an L-shaped component that connects with corner wall column component  210 A and forms an exterior portion of corner wall column  210  and a portion of an additional recessed channel similar to recessed channel  217 , which will form one of the corner wall chases  214 .  FIG. 9D  depicts corner wall column component  210 C, which attaches to corner wall column component  210 A, encloses a corner wall chase  214 , and forms an inside panel of corner wall column  210 . Depicted in  FIG. 9E  is corner wall component  210 D, which attaches to corner wall column component  210 B, forms a corner wall chase  214 , and forms another inside panel for corner wall column  210 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 9A , when a floor tile  180  is positioned on top of floor supports  162  and  162 A, a floor chase  185  is formed below the floor tile  180  and the base portion  161 . Recess  164  provides a connecting passageway between floor chase  185  and corner wall chase  214  through which utility components may pass. As such, a worker constructing a building is able to route utility components between the wall chase and the floor chase without requiring modification to the building components. 
     If the utility components that are routed through the connecting passageway form by recess  164  require maintenance, the utility components may be easily accessed by removing either floor tile  180 , corner wall component  210 C and/or corner wall column component  210 D. 
     Depicted in  FIG. 9F  is a corner wall column  211  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Corner wall column  211  is similar to corner wall column  210 ; however, corner wall column  211  includes recesses  213  instead of integral chases  214 . Nevertheless, when recesses  213  are covered, at least one chase is formed within wall column  211 , which communicates with recess  164  in a similar manner to integral chases  214  in corner wall column  210 . Corner wall column  211  can further include connector  215 , which can connect to connector  240 A,  240 B or  240 C (see  FIGS. 10-11B ). 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  is a roof support block  220  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Roof support block  220  includes connectors  222 , which can connect with recessed channels  192  of wall column  190  and  196 . Optionally included in roof support block  220  are two truss abutments  204 , between which a truss  250  may be placed (see  FIG. 1 ). Also depicted in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  is a connector  240 A, which can also be used to enhance the connection between roof support block  220  and wall columns  190  and  196  and inhibit the outward movement of the top portion of wall column  190  with respect to roof support block  220 . Roof support block  220  further includes upper surfaces  225  that abut portions of roof panels  260 . 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 10C and 10D  are alternate embodiments of connector  240 : connectors  240 B and  240 C. Connector  240 B is generally shaped as a half-sphere and fits into a complementary hemispherical recess in truss  250 . Connector  240 C is generally conical and fits into a complementary generally conical-shaped recess in truss  250 . The shape of connectors  240 B and  240 C can enhance the earthquake resistance of building  100  by allowing the trusses to slip back into proper position after being dislodged by, for example, the ground moving during an earthquake. 
     Also depicted in  FIG. 10C  is an alternative embodiment connector  222 A. Connector  222 A is similar to connector  222 ; however, the bottom portion of connector  222 A is angled, which can serve to deflect air flow from, for example, chase  194  in wall column  196  into the interior of building  100 . 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 11A and 11B  is a roof support block  230  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Roof support blocks  230  are generally used at the end of a wall, and in particular, when it is desired to have the roof angle downward at the edge of the building (see  FIG. 1 ). Included with roof support block  230  is a connector  232 , which connects with chase  214  in corner wall column  210  or with recess  213  in corner wall column  211 . Roof support block  230  can also include truss abutments  234 , between which a truss  250  can be positioned. A connector  240  (for example connector  240 A,  240 B or  240 C) may also be used to further secure roof support block  230  to corner wall column  210  or  211  by insertion into connectors  215 . A connector  240  may further be used to connect roof support block  230  to truss  250  in a manner similar to those described with respect to  FIGS. 10A-10D . 
     Depicted in  FIG. 12A  is a roof truss  250  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Roof truss  250  includes upper members  251  that can support roof panels  260  (see  FIGS. 13A-14B ). Roof truss  250  further includes lower members  252  and cross members  253  that connect upper members  251  and lower members  250  and add strength to roof truss  250 . 
     Depicted in  FIG. 12B  is a roof truss  255  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Roof truss  255  includes upper members  251 , lower members  252  and cross members  253  similar to those in roof truss  250 . Roof truss  255  further includes a panel  256  that forms a weather resistant closure with no apertures extending through the roof truss between the upper, lower and cross members. As such, roof truss  255  may be used as the end-most roof truss on a side of a building to prevent water and other types of weather phenomena from entering the building. 
     Roof truss  255  can further includes at least one recess  257  at opposite ends of roof truss  255 . Recesses  257  include abutment portions  258 , which abut portions of roof support blocks  220  and  230 . Optionally included in roof truss  255  are connections  259 , which connect to connectors  240  ( 240 A,  240 B or  240 C) and assist in securing roof truss  255  to roof support blocks  220  and  230 . 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 13A ,  13 B and  13 C is a roof panel  260  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The upper surface  266  of roof panel  260  (as depicted in  FIG. 13B ) forms an elongated, V-shaped channel between two generally flat surfaces. The upper surface  266  gathers and directs water or other precipitation away from the building structure and enhances the overall strength of roof  130  by presenting a corrugated-type structure. 
     The lower surface of roof panel  260  includes flange  261  near one end of the elongated roof panel  260 . Flange  261  includes an abutment surface  262 , which abuts against roof support block  220  when roof panel  260  is installed. Flange  261  inhibits roof panel  260  from sliding down roof truss  250  or  255  by abutting against roof support block  220 . 
     The lower surface of roof panel  260  further includes a ridge  263  extending along the bottom of the elongated “V.” Ridge  263  includes a channel  264  that is complementary in shape to the upper surface of roof truss  250  and  255  with side abutments  265  that cradle and abut the side surfaces of trusses  250  and  255 . As such, the roof panel  260  rests atop a roof truss  250  or  255  and is inhibited from sliding sideways off the truss by side abutments  265 . Additionally, the V-shape of the roof panel  260  fits snugly against the upper surface  225  of roof support block  220  and inhibits roof panel  260  from pivoting around channel  264  and rolling off of truss  250  or  255 . Roof panel  260  optionally includes overhang  268 , which provides an extension of roof panel  260  to direct water and snow away from the exterior walls of building  100 . 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 14A and 14B  is a roof panel  270  according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surface  272  of roof panel  270  is generally flat, while the underside of roof panel  270  includes a flange  274  and ridge  276 . Flange  274  forms an abutment surface  275 , which abuts against roof support block  230  when roof panel  270  is installed. Ridge  276  includes abutment surface  277  which abuts against roof truss  255  or  250  when roof panel  270  is installed. The bottom side of roof panel  270  fits snugly against the upper surface  235  of roof support block  230 , which helps inhibit roof panel  270  from pivoting around and rolling off of truss  250  or  255 . 
     Roof panel  270  depicted in  FIGS. 14A and 14B  is adapted for use with roof support block  230  depicted in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . Furthermore, it should be appreciated that alternate embodiments include roof panels that are the minor-image of the roof panel  270  depicted in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , which are adapted to connect to roof support blocks that are the mirror-image of the roof support blocks depicted in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . For example, the building  100  depicted in  FIG. 11 , when fully constructed, requires two roof support blocks  230  as depicted in  FIGS. 11A and 11B  and two roof support blocks that are the mirror-image of roof support block  230  depicted in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . Additionally, the completed building  100  requires two roof panels  270  as depicted in  FIGS. 14A and 14B  (which would connect with the roof support blocks  230  depicted in  FIGS. 11A and 11B ) and two roof panels that are the mirror-image of roof panel  270  depicted in  FIGS. 14A and 14B  (which would individually connect to two roof support blocks that are the mirror-image of roof support blocks  230  depicted in  FIGS. 11A and 11B ). 
     Roof panel  270  optionally includes overhang  278 , which directs water away from the exterior walls of building  100  before allowing it to fall to the ground. 
     Depicted in  FIG. 15  is a partially-constructed building  300  according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Building  300  includes components similar to those used to construct building  100 , for example, central foundation blocks  140 , exterior side foundation blocks  150 , exterior corner foundation blocks  160 , floor tiles  180  and wall columns  190 . 
     Building  300  also includes alternate embodiments of central foundation block  140 . For example, central foundation blocks  140 A and  140 B. Central foundation blocks  140 A and  140 B include ridges  149  that separate garage floor space  305  from the rest of the interior of building  300 . 
     Building  300  further includes interior support columns  310 ,  312  and  315 . Interior support column  315  is generally T-shaped, interior support column  310  is a generally square column, and internal wall column  312  is a generally circular column. It should be appreciated that the lengths of interior support columns  310 ,  312  and  315  can vary and that interior support columns  310 ,  312  and  315  may support, for example, additional floors or interior walls. It should also be appreciated that the cross-sectional shape of column  310 ,  312  and  315  can take on various forms, for example, the cross-sectional shape can resemble any of a number of geometric shapes, such as rectangles or ovals. The upper portions of the support columns can optionally include expanded structures, such as the T-shaped portion at the top of column  315 , that provide additional support for the second floor  318 . For example, the upper portion of column  312  can include an expanded region where the cross-sectional area of column  312  increases to provide additional support to the second floor  318 . 
     The building  300  optionally includes central foundation blocks  307 . Central foundation blocks  307  are used as the flooring in garage space  305 . Central foundation blocks  307  include a generally flat upper surface and connectors  308 , which are similar to connectors  148  in central foundation block  140 . 
     The depicted building  300  further includes a second floor  318 , which is formed using deck plates  380 . Deck plates  380  are mounted atop interior and/or exterior support columns and span the distance between the support columns upon which they are mounted. Deck plates  380  include a substantially planar upper surface that forms the second floor and a lower surface with integrated supports, such as elongated trusses spanning the length of deck plate  380 , that provide structural support to resist sagging or bending of deck plate  380  between the support columns supporting deck plate  380 . 
     Extending above the second floor are trusses  320 ,  327  and  328 . Positioned atop trusses  320 ,  327  and  328  are roof tiles  340 . 
     Building  300  also includes shingle support blocks  336  and shingle end support blocks  337 . Shingle support blocks  336  and  337  are positioned atop deck plates  380  and provide support for roof tiles  340 , such as an abutment surface against which roof tile abutment surface  343  may be positioned (see  FIG. 15 ). Shingle support blocks  336  and  337  optionally include connectors, such as pins, extending between shingle support blocks  336 / 337  and deck plates  380 . These pins assist in limiting the horizontal movement of the shingle support blocks  336 / 337  with respect to deck plates  380 , and are particularly beneficial during an earthquake. 
     Depicted in  FIG. 16  is a garage side wall foundation block  350  connected to a garage side wall column  360  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Garage side wall foundation block  350  includes a substantially flat base  352  and a wall support  354  extending upwardly from base  352 . Wall support  354  includes a connector (not depicted, although similar to the connector  153  of exterior side foundation block  150  in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ), which connects to a complementary connector in garage side wall column  360  which is similar to connector  195  in wall column  190 , see  FIGS. 8A and 8B . Garage side wall column  360  can further include a recess  362  similar to recess  192  in wall column  190 , and a connector  364 , which is similar to connector  215  in corner wall column  210  (see  FIG. 9A ), for connecting to a connector  240 . 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 17A ,  17 B and  17 C is a roof truss  320 , which is formed by two roof truss halves  321  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Each roof truss half  321  includes an optionally flared base  322 , which may be supported by, for example, a floor (such as a floor comprising floor tiles  180 ), deck plates (such as deck plates  380  depicted in  FIG. 15 ), interior support columns (such as interior support columns  310 ,  312  and  315 ), wall columns  190 , or an elongated beam spanning the distance between two vertical columns, such as exterior wall columns  190  or interior support columns  310 ,  312  and  315 . 
     Each roof truss half  321  includes an upwardly-extending arm  323 , a channel  324 , and an abutment surface  325 . Channel  324  is used for attaching roof tiles  340 . Roof truss  320  is formed by abutment surface  325  resting against a complementary abutment surface  325  on a second roof truss half  321 . Together, the two roof truss halves  321  form an A-shaped support (truss  320 ) for the roof. 
     Each truss half  321  further includes an optional flared end portion  326  that defines an abutment surface  327 . Abutment surface  327  (and similar abutment surfaces on shingle support blocks  336 —depicted in  FIG. 15 ) abuts against complementary abutment surfaces  343  on roof tiles  340  (see  FIG. 18 ) to inhibit roof tiles  340  from sliding off roof trusses  320 . 
     Still further, each truss half  321  optionally includes a connector, for example, pin  331 . Pin  331  can attach to the surface supporting truss half  321  to resist the horizontal movement of truss half  321  with respect to, for example, deck plate  380  during an earthquake. It should also be appreciated that the connector in roof truss half  321  may be a receptacle for receiving connectors protruding from the surfaces upon which roof truss halves  321  are mounted, for example, connector  240 A of wall column  196  (see  FIG. 8B ). 
     In still other embodiments, apertures (holes) may be formed in roof truss half  321  above the flared base  322  to reduce weight. 
     In alternate embodiments, roof truss  320  may be placed upon and supported by leveled ground, sand, compressed aggregate, footings or footing blocks, which can result in an “A-frame” type building with the roof extending to the ground or a pyramid-type structure with four roof truss halves  321  being joined together at the top of arms  323 . 
     In still other embodiments, the bottom edge of the flared end portion  326  of roof truss half  321  can include a connector, which connects roof truss half  321  to the top of wall columns  190 . 
     Depicted in  FIG. 17C  is a roof truss  328 , which includes two truss halves  321 A according to another embodiment of the present invention. Each truss half  321 A is similar to truss half  321 , although truss half  321 A further includes a cutout portion  329  which can help decrease the overall weight of truss  321 A. 
     Depicted in  FIG. 18  is a roof tile  340  (depicted in an orientation that is rotated with respect to the orientation of roof tile  340  in  FIG. 15  to more clearly illustrate abutment portion  341 ) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Roof tile  340  includes four raised portions  341  located on the sides of roof tile  340 . Raised portions  341  are complementary in shape to one half of channel  324  in roof truss  320 . For example, when roof tiles  340  are placed atop trusses  320 , the raised portions  341  from two side-by-side roof tiles  340  will abut one another, and together will form a shape that is complementary to and fits inside channel  324  of roof truss  320 . 
     Roof tile  340  further includes cutout portions  342  and abutment portions  343 . Cutout portions  342  allow roof tiles  340  that are adjacent to one another along the direction of the roof truss  320  to overlap and form a roof that inhibits, for example, rain from entering the building. When overlapping as depicted in  FIG. 15 , the abutment portions  343  of one roof tile abut against the abutment portions  344  of adjacent roof tiles. As such, an upper roof tile situated above a lower roof tile is prevented from sliding over the lower roof tile. 
     The abutment surface  343  of the bottom-most roof tile  340 , for example the roof tile  340 A depicted in  FIG. 15 , abuts against abutment surface  327  of roof truss  320  and a complementary abutment surface on shingle support block  336 . As such, the roof truss  320  and the shingle support block  336  prevent roof tile  340 A from sliding downward and off of roof truss  320 A. 
     Increasing the thickness  347  of abutment surface  343  tends to enhance the earthquake resistance of building  300 . For example, the roof tile  340  can move vertically with respect to shingle support block  336  during an earthquake. If the vertical movement of roof tile  340  exceeds the thickness  347  of abutment surface  343 , the roof tile  340  can become unsupported by, for example, the shingle support block  336  positioned below the roof tile  340 . As such, the out-of-position roof tile  340  can slide downward and off of the roof trusses  320 . Alternate embodiments include abutment surfaces  343  with increased thicknesses  347 . In still other embodiments, such as roof tile  340 B depicted in  FIG. 19 , roof tile  340  includes raised portions  348  that increase the thickness  347  of abutment surface  343  in a particular region of roof tile  340 . 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 18 , roof tile  340  is symmetric. The first surface  345  (side of roof tile  340  facing the reader of this application) and the second surface  346  (side of roof tile  340  hidden from view from the reader of this application) are similar. As such, the roof tile  340  may be mounted to the roof trusses with either the first surface  345  or the second surface  346  facing the exterior of the building. This feature enhances the ability for workers to quickly construct a roof since the workers can orient the roof tile  340  in one of the two orientations. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the second surface  346  of roof tile  340  includes two raised portions  341  while the upper surface  345  of roof tile  340  does not include any raised portions  341 . As such, a finished roof using the alternate embodiment roof tiles  340  will not have raised ridges on it, although the alternate embodiment roof tiles are not symmetric like the roof tile  340  in  FIG. 18  and must be rotated to one particular orientation prior to installation. 
     When constructing the above-described components of building  100  using concrete, the thermal mass of the concrete can operate as a hot or cold reservoir, which can increase the heating or cooling efficiency of building  100 . For example, as can be seen in Table 1, a building similar to building  100  depicted in  FIG. 1  with the quantity of components as listed in Table 1 will require approximately 83 cubic yards of concrete, the thermal mass of which can aid in heating and cooling the structure. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Cubic 
                 Weight 
                 Total 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Yards 
                 (lbs.) 
                 Yards 
               
               
                 Component Name 
                 Quantity 
                 (approx.) 
                 (approx.) 
                 (approx.) 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Foundation Blocks 
                 18 
                 0.75 
                 3,000 
                 13.5 
               
               
                 Side Foundation Blocks 
                 18 
                 1.06 
                 4,240 
                 19.8 
               
               
                 Corner Foundation Block 
                 4 
                 1.15 
                 4,600 
                 4.6 
               
               
                 Center Floor Tiles 
                 10 
                 0.37 
                 1,480 
                 3.7 
               
               
                 Side Floor Tiles 
                 14 
                 0.34 
                 1,360 
                 4.76 
               
               
                 Corner Floor Tiles 
                 4 
                 0.33 
                 1,320 
                 1.32 
               
               
                 Wall Columns 
                 18 
                 0.54 
                 2,160 
                 9.72 
               
               
                 Corner Wall Columns 
                 4 
                 0.62 
                 2,480 
                 2.48 
               
               
                 Roof Support Blocks 
                 12 
                 0.12 
                 480 
                 1.44 
               
               
                 Roof End Support Blocks 
                 4 
                 0.09 
                 360 
                 0.18 
               
               
                 Trusses 
                 6 
                 0.68 
                 2,720 
                 4.08 
               
               
                 End Trusses 
                 2 
                 1.18 
                 4,720 
                 2.36 
               
               
                 Roof Panels 
                 12 
                 0.92 
                 3,680 
                 11.04 
               
               
                 Roof End Panels 
                 4 
                 0.52 
                 2,080 
                 2.08 
               
               
                 Total 
                 130 
                 8.67 
                 34,680 
                 81.06 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Additionally, the cost of the materials used to construct a building, for example one similar to that depicted in  FIG. 1 , can be significantly less than the material cost for constructing a comparable building with more traditional materials. For example, Table 2 includes estimated costs for the materials required to construct buildings with different wall column lengths, where the estimated prices include an estimated cost of $80 per cubic yard for 4,000 psi concrete and $2,000 per ton ($1 per pound) for rebar. 
                                     TABLE 2                       1 Story   2 Story   3 Story           9′ Column   18′ Column   27′ Column                                                            Yards   81.06   95.42   107.62           Concrete   $6,484.80   $7,633.60   $8,609.60           Rebar   $4,163.00   $4,771.00   $5,381.00           Total Cost   $10,647.80   $12,404.60   $13,990.60                        
Alternate embodiments utilize 5,000 psi concrete, 6,000 psi concrete, concrete micro silica (for use with buildings exposed to, for example, salt water), and/or green rebar.
 
     Furthermore, since the individual components used to construct a building are pre-fabricated and fit together without requiring modification of the individual components, the building may be constructed quickly, which will reduce labor costs and further reduce the total costs of the building. 
     It should be appreciated that the aforementioned building components may be used to construct a variety of different buildings with a variety of different building designs. The buildings constructed with the aforementioned building components provide for easy installation of utility components and allow for easy access to the chases in which the utility components are contained during building construction and after the building is complete for easy maintenance, repair and upgrade. Additionally, the buildings may be readily constructed without the need for conventional foundations and frequently require only minimal preparation of the ground underlying the building. Furthermore, there is little if any need for modification or adjustment to the building components after they are formed and the manner in which the building components connect aids in earthquake resistance. Moreover, when constructed of materials such as concrete, the building components require minimal maintenance over the lifetime of the building. 
     While illustrated examples, representative embodiments and specific forms of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive or limiting. The description of particular features in one embodiment does not imply that those particular features are necessarily limited to that one embodiment. Features of one embodiment may be used in combination with features of other embodiments as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, whether or not explicitly described as such. Dimensions, whether used explicitly or implicitly, are not intended to be limiting and may be altered as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Only exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, and all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.