Patent Abstract:
A building system for the basic structure of a one-story, modular, temporary building, constructed primarily of fire-resistant materials, comprising: a foundation of poured, leveled concrete, having regularly spaced holes for vertical block assembly rods and/or columns; a plurality of wall blocks of standardized size(s) each block having one or more vertical block assembly holes running entirely through the said blocks; a plurality of block assembly rods and/or block assembly columns such that when a column of one or more wall blocks is placed on the foundation with the foundation and block holes aligned one or more block assembly rods and/or columns can be run through the block column and into the foundation thereby rendering an assembly of block(s), rod(s) and foundation that does not require mortar and is easy to disassemble; framing comprised of sloped top plates for a first set of parallel wall sections, spanning angle irons mounted to and perpendicular to the said sloped top plates, an optional steel I-beam major spanning beam(s) parallel to the said spanning angle irons, optional minor supporting pillars, optional major supporting pillars, optional vertical roof and foundation joining elements, optional angle irons assembled around the inside perimeter of the top of the wall sections and being joined to said wall sections; and a plurality of roof modules comprised of standardized lengths of steel ribbed decking, insulating panels, and a membrane; all such that when the aforesaid elements are assembled, the building is functionally one structural unit, can serve for decades, and can be easily disassembled and the components thereof reused. The building system further comprises standardized engineering and architectural techniques and processes such as to efficiently render designs of specific buildings having a floor plan comprised of one or more rectangular sections such that each rectangular section can have a range of dimensions, thereby facilitating specific building designs that can be fitted together with existing one-story buildings of various dimensions with the result of a larger structure that is functionally one building, and is serviceable for uses such as warehousing.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As urban growth occurs over time, a situation often arises where major arterial routes, especially freeways, become the hub of an infrastructure such that the immediately surrounding land is seen as best suited for developments such as high rise office towers, apartments, shopping centers and other commercial uses. Special zoning is often established for these “preferred development districts”. 
     Urban planners recognize that the land use in a preferred development district is typically a mix, including many business that have been at the same location for years and that don&#39;t require the new infrastructure. Such businesses will be referred to as “land-and-one-story businesses”, because their operation can typically be most economically conducted using land and one story buildings. Although at some point the business owners may realize the benefit from their land value appreciation, the overall land value appreciation in a preferred development district may actually do land-and-one-story business owners more harm than good, for the following reasons. First, it is often difficult to gain approval for improvements to property in a preferred development district. Because everything on a property will typically be leveled when a development project is undertaken, development authorities do not want to authorize nontransferable improvements because they will drive up the cost of property for developers, delaying preferred development. Second, land-and-one-story business owners are often faced with limited or no possibility of expansion at their current location, due both to the high cost of adjacent land, and due to restrictions placed on land use in preferred development districts. 
     If a land-and-one-story business decides to relocate, the business may find that their current property is of low overall market value, for the following reasons. First, the constraints described above will be faced by any new owner. Second, many people are reluctant to locate a business on property that may be absorbed into a large development project at any time. Third, because the properties of many land-and-one-story businesses have odd, irregular buildings, often built for a specialized purpose, often with a variety of aesthetic, code and regulatory problems, and often with a high percentage of open land, the total rental income such properties can generate is often relatively low, even if rental income per square foot for uses such as warehouse is relatively high. Because redevelopment may not occur for a decade or more, low rental value will significantly depress the market value of a land-and-one-story property. 
     PURPOSES OF THE INVENTION 
     One purpose of the building system of the present invention is to reduce the inherent conflict between urban planning authorities and land-and-one-story business owners, by comprising an integrated, modular system for building the basic structure of an inexpensive kind of temporary building that can significantly increase the rental value of land-and-one-story properties without adding significant unrecoverable costs that would delay preferred development. 
     A second purpose of the building system of the present invention is to comprise an integrated, modular system for building the basic structure of a building that is similar in appearance to conventional permanent concrete block and flat roof buildings, and that has fire resistance properties similar to permanent concrete buildings. 
     A third purpose of the building system of the present invention is to comprise an integrated, modular building system that can be built in cold climates without a significant unrecoverable investment in a deep foundation. 
     A fourth purpose of the building system of the present invention is to comprise an integrated, modular building system including engineering design components and architectural design components, for rendering specific buildings having a wide range of floor layout dimensions, such that a construction plan can be quickly prepared from modular elements for a specific building that will fit together with other buildings that are on a specific property, thus providing an increased square footage of rentable warehouse space. 
     A fifth purpose of the building system of the present invention is to comprise an integrated, modular building system for rendering specific temporary buildings such that if and when the buildings are later taken down, the same building can be erected elsewhere, or individual modules can be reused as parts of multiple other buildings of the present invention, or in other ways, so that most of the material cost of a building of the present invention is recovered if the building is taken down. 
     A sixth purpose of the building system of the present invention is to render buildings that, although temporary, can remain in service at a location for decades. 
     A seventh purpose of the building system of the present invention is to standardize a method of disassembling a building of the present invention, such that components are disassembled, staged, loaded and distributed efficiently from the disassembly site for reuse in the construction of other buildings of the present invention and/or for other uses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises an integrated, modular system for designing, building, and disassembling the basic structure of an inexpensive kind of temporary building that is similar in appearance to conventional permanent concrete block and flat roof buildings, substantially fireproof, can be erected quickly, can remain in service on a site for decades, and that can then be disassembled such that most of the components can be reused at a different location in the same building, in other buildings of the present invention, or separately. 
     The wall components of the system of a building of the present invention are of two main block types. The first type comprises a variation of either industry standard sized 7⅝″×7⅝″×15⅝″ two cavity concrete block, or similar blocks with dimensions 7⅝″×7⅝″×18″. In addition to two cavities, each concrete block has one or more block assembly holes positioned such that when the blocks are stacked directly on top of one another without mortar, block assembly rods or block assembly columns, typically of steel and threaded at the top, are then run through the block assembly holes and into the foundation to form an assembly of stacked concrete blocks. The threaded sections at the top of the rods are used to secure roof modules. The second main type of wall block component comprises larger wall modules, typically of concrete, that can be hollow, or that can have an insulation core. These wall modules are also assembled using block assembly rods and/or block assembly columns that are free standing and that run the full height of the wall, through the inside of the wall modules and to the foundation. Such rods and/or columns can vertically support the weight of the roof independent of the wall block modules. 
     The wall components of the system of a building of the present invention include optional insulation panels that can be placed on either the inside or the outside of the building. These panels typically run the full height of the building, and comprise a layer of insulation board that is vapor sealed, an outer layer typically of finished veneer, and top and bottom flexible panel end sections. The bottom flexible panel end section is placed on the foundation and secured by the wall blocks that are placed subsequently. The top flexible panel end section is placed on the top of the wall blocks and is secured by the weight of the roof. The vapor sealed insulation board side interfaces with the wall blocks, and can be optionally spot glued to the wall blocks. 
     Wall components of the system of a building of the present invention are joined to roof components using plate modules placed at the top of the wall blocks. These plate modules include roof supporting sections of steel or a similar material, typically span multiple block sections, and have holes to insert the block assembly rods and/or block assembly columns used to assemble the wall blocks. There are two main kinds of plate modules. One has a flat top, and bears roof modules that slope very slightly down to a gutter. The other has a slight rise, to provide a slope to drain the roof. 
     Door, garage door, and window components of the system of a building of the present invention typically comprise a frame that is sized to fit in the exact area of an array of wall block components, a premanufactured door or window inside the frame, and a lintel sized with respect to the dimensions of wall block components and having holes for the block assembly rods and/or block assembly columns used to assemble the wall blocks. 
     Three alternative variations comprise the foundation component of the system of a building of the present invention. Each foundation variation typically comprises a level poured concrete base, and each is typically made using a pouring form top section having hollow tubes or solid rods spaced to accommodate the block assembly rods and/or block assembly columns that are placed to assemble the walls after the foundation has hardened. 
     The first foundation variation comprises pouring concrete directly into a shallow trench or form, or into a form on an existing paved surface, and then leveling. 
     For cold climates it is desirable to avoid the cost of building a deep foundation for a building that may soon be disassembled and moved. Accordingly, a second alternative variation of the foundation system is used that comprises insulation panels on the ground. The foundation is first constructed identically to the first variation. Ground insulation panels are then secured to the walls at ground level by flexible end panels. Wall blocks are then placed on top of the ground insulation panel end panels. Ground insulation panels can be optionally pinned or weighted to the ground. Ground insulation panels can be used with or without the use of wall insulation panels. 
     A conventional deep foundation, below the frost line, can be used as a third alternative type of foundation for buildings of the present invention situated in cold climates. 
     Framing components of the system of a building of the present invention comprise the use of the wall block assemblies including block assembly rods and/or block assembly columns, together with optional major and minor pillars as vertical supporting structure. Framing components also comprise a horizontal structure of one or more optional major beams spanning supporting walls and optionally also spanning supporting pillars, spanning angle iron sections running under the roof modules the full length between opposite walls and secured to the wall block top plates, additional wall perimeter angle irons attached to wall block top plates and running along the inside perimeter of the building, plastic coated steel cable sections secured to roof modules and to the foundation, and vertical angle iron sections secured to both spanning angle irons and to the foundation . These framing components function to join the major components of a building of the present invention into a single structure. Major pillar components of the present invention are optionally used to support major spanning beams, have a square base approximately four feet on each side, and can be pinned to an existing paved surface or to the ground using rods of steel or similar material. Minor pillar components are typically used to support roof modules half way between their span, are typically placed underneath the join between two roof modules, and are typically bolted to a spanning angle iron. Minor pillar components can also be pinned to an existing paved surface or to the ground. 
     Floor components of the system of a building of the present invention are typically of one of two types. Some buildings are placed on already paved surfaces, and have no floor other than the pavement. Other buildings are on unpaved ground. These buildings have modular floor slabs of molded concrete, that can be optionally pinned to the unpaved ground. 
     Roof module components of the system of a building of the present invention comprise rectangular assemblies typically with a short roof module end of 3′ in width and with a range of lengths such as 4′, 6′, 12′, 16′, 20′ and the like. These roof modules are placed side by side with adjacent roof modules. The short roof module ends are attached to the threaded rod ends of the block assembly rods and/or block assembly columns that protrude through the flat wall top plates of supporting stacked block assemblies, and/or to a major spanning beam using bolts, and/or to a spanning angle iron using bolts. Roof modules comprise a base that is typically a section of ribbed steel decking, an optional layer of platform panel such as gypsumboard, typically ½ thick″, a layer of insulating material in panel form, such as polyisocyanurate foam, typically 3″ thick, and a layer of rubber membrane, typically of thickness 45 m to 60 m. When the roof modules are in place, rubber membrane sections are glued into place to join adjacent modules. To complete the roof, flashing is added at the top and sloped sides, and gutters are attached to the draining sides. 
     Building link components of the system of a building of the present invention comprise a connection between an existing building and an adjacent building of the present invention. This typically comprises a previously described garage door opening and lintel in a wall of a building of the present invention that is joined by a short section of wall blocks and wall assembly rods, typically also by a custom roof section, and sometimes by one or more additional custom side panels, to either an existing opening of an existing building, such as a garage door, or to a wall of an existing building, where a corresponding opening is to be cut. Building link components of the system of a building of the present invention can comprise a set of standard designs, but will often include a requirement to fabricate custom components for a specific building. 
     The system of a building of the present invention includes both standardized engineering parameters, and standardized architectural procedures for rendering blueprints of specific buildings of the present invention that are in some cases designed to fit together with pre-existing buildings. In addition, the system of a building of the present invention can comprise a disassembly plan, that details the order in which components of a building of the present invention will be disassembled, where specific components of a building that is being disassembled are to be sent to be used in construction of other buildings of the present invention or to be used in other ways, and where and when at the disassembly site specific components will be staged and loaded onto trucks. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG.  1 —Foundation, stack of concrete blocks, block assembly rods, and block joining panel section, exploded view. 
     FIG.  2 —Foundation, stack of concrete blocks, wall block, and block assembly rods, exploded view. 
     FIG.  3 —Enhanced block assembly rod and base, exploded view. 
     FIG.  4 —Foundation, stack of concrete blocks, top plates, wall block, with enhanced block assembly rods and foundation embedded bases, exploded view. 
     FIG.  5 —Enhanced block assembly column and base, exploded view. 
     FIG.  6 —Large ultra-light wall block, top isometric view. 
     FIG.  7 —Roof module components and roof angle iron frame, exploded view. 
     FIG.  8 —Assembled roof module, flat wall top plate, roof and foundation joining structure, and concrete block, exploded view. 
     FIG.  9 —Flat wall top plate sections, wall frame angle iron, and concrete blocks, exploded view. 
     FIG.  10 —Sloped wall top plate with angle iron mountings, wall section, and spanning angle iron roof framing section, explode view. 
     FIG.  11 —Sloped wall top plate angle iron mounting, sloped wall top plate base section, spanning angle iron section, bolts, and roof and foundation linking angle iron section, exploded view. 
     FIG.  12 —Roof module, sloped wall top plates, angle iron mountings, wall section, angle iron roof framing, major supporting beam, major and minor supporting columns, isometric view. 
     FIG.  13 —Assembled roof module and major spanning beam section, exploded view. 
     FIG.  14 —Minor supporting pillar, isometric view. 
     FIG.  15 —Major supporting pillar, isometric view. 
     FIG.  16 —Wall section, foundation, wall insulation panel, and foundation insulation panel, exploded view. 
     FIG.  17 —Wall section, door opening, and lintel, isometric view. 
     FIG.  18 —Floor components, exploded view. 
     FIG.  19 —Building link components, exploded view. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a foundation section, two cement blocks, and block assembly rods of the system of a building of the present invention. The cement blocks are typically of two sizes. One size has dimensions 7⅝″×7⅝″×15⅝″, the U.S. industry standard, allowing in traditional construction for the use of mortar and a resulting final block spacing of 8″ and 16″ on the wall face. The use of this standard block size makes it easier to resell blocks used in a building of the present invention as standard blocks, if the building is later disassembled. The second size has dimensions 7⅝″×7⅝″×18″. Because roof modules are built with ribbed steel decking having industry standards of a 3′ width and 6″ from rib to rib, using cement blocks 18″ wide facilitates placement of a row of roof modules on a building wall of a building of the present invention. 
     The foundation  1  of FIG. 1 is typically of poured concrete. The foundation concrete can be poured into a shallow trench, or into forms. It can be above or below the frost line depending on the requirements for a specific building. Holes  2 , spaced according to the dimensions of the concrete blocks used, are formed in the foundation  1  of FIG. 1 when the foundation is poured. The holes  2  typically go all the way through the foundation and can go into the underlying ground. If the foundation is on pre-existing pavement, holes are typically drilled in the pavement. If the foundation is on ground, drilling into the ground is typically unnecessary. When the foundation  1  is in place, and the holes  2  have been drilled to ground if needed, block assembly rods  3  are placed in the holes. These block assembly rods  3  are typically made of steel, but can be of other material, including such material as PVC. Pre-cast concrete blocks  4 , having pre-formed holes  5 , are placed such that the block assembly rods  3  run through the pre-formed block holes  5  in the blocks  4  of FIG.  1 . In this way, a stack of pre-cast concrete blocks is assembled, that comprises a section of a wall of a building of the present invention. 
     As a stack of blocks is commenced, the assembly can begin with shorter block assembly rods, so that blocks are only lifted a maximum of 3′ or 4′ before being placed. When a stack reaches the top of the rods, one is removed and a longer rod is inserted, then the other shorter rod is removed and a longer rod is inserted. When a stack of blocks has reached full height, the final rods may optionally be sized to be driven a short distance of up to a few feet into the ground. The final block assembly rods have threaded heads that are used to bolt on roof modules. 
     When concrete blocks with standard dimensions 7⅝″×7⅝″×15⅝″ are used, because the industry standard for ribbed steel decking used in roof modules is 3′ wide with ribs spaced every 6″, a liner block approximately 2⅜″ thick is required, to be placed between adjacent stacks of concrete blocks. Such a liner block section is shown as  7  in FIG.  1 . Liner block sections are typically 2′ or 3′ high. The thickness and compressibility of the liner blocks and the spacing of the foundation holes is such that when the concrete blocks are in place, the liner blocks are secured by the concrete blocks. The use of the liner blocks results in the center of each concrete block being approximately 18″ from the center of adjacent blocks in adjacent stacks. 
     Thus, by repeating the steps for the placement of block assembly rods, pre-formed concrete blocks, and liner blocks when required, a wall is assembled that is sized for subsequent placing of roof modules. 
     An alternative type of wall of the system of a building of the present invention is comprised of larger wall block sections, such as the section  11  illustrated in FIG.  2 . These larger wall block sections  11  can be of pre-cast solid concrete, or of hollow core concrete, or of concrete with a lightweight core such as of insulating material, or of other material. As with the concrete blocks, the larger wall block sections  11  are placed such that the block assembly rods  3  of FIG. 2 run through the pre-formed wall block holes  12  in the wall blocks  11  of FIG.  2 . The design of larger wall blocks is such that the block dimensions and/or the number and spacing of the wall block holes  12  are determined with respect to the 3′ width and 6″ rib spacing of roof modules. The use of larger wall block sections permits designs of wall block sections with lower density, and improved insulating properties that may in some cases make additional insulation unnecessary. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a second alternative and enhanced kind of structure for the use of block assembly rods in the system of a building of the present invention. This enhanced block assembly rod, shown as  21  in FIG. 3, is typically of steel, and comprises a rod shaft  22  having a flat bottom  27 , a top rod plate  26  that is typically of steel and is typically welded to the rod shaft  22 , and a threaded top section  25 . The enhanced block assembly rod  21  is used with a block assembly rod base  28 , typically of steel, comprising a hollow tube structure  23  that is typically welded to a base plate  24 . When the building foundation is formed, block assembly rod bases  28  are cast in the concrete, with the open hole of the tube structure top  29  of FIG. 3 typically even or slightly below the level foundation top. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the use of this alternative and enhanced kind of structure for block assembly rods. Block assembly base plates  28  are embedded in the foundation concrete  1 . Concrete blocks  4  or wall blocks  11  are placed on the foundation  1 , with their preformed holes  5  or  12  aligned with the open holes  29  in the block assembly rod base plate tops. Enhanced block assembly rods  21  are then run through the concrete blocks  4  and/or wall blocks  11 , such that the bottom  27  of each enhanced block assembly rod  21  rests on the base plate  24  of a block assembly rod base  28 . At the top of each wall, top plate modules  41 , having holes  42  that align with the enhanced block assembly rod threaded top sections  25 , are placed so that they rest on the top block rod assembly plates  26 . Thus, when the roof is later mounted on the top plate modules  41 , the enhanced block assembly rods  21  function as thin load bearing pillars. The base plate  24  must be of sufficient area so that when base plates  24  are cast in the foundation  1  the base plates and foundation will bear the weight supported by the enhanced block assembly rods  21 . 
     The enhanced block assembly rods  21  are inhibited from bending by the concrete blocks or wall blocks, but except for this bending prevention, the enhanced block assembly rods  21  can bear the weight of the roof independently of any vertical weight bearing function of the concrete blocks and or wall blocks. This permits the use of concrete blocks and/or wall blocks that can be made primarily with lightweight non-load-bearing material, including insulation. The light weight of such concrete blocks and/or wall blocks makes it more practical to transport buildings of the present invention considerable distances. In addition, through the use of enhanced block assembly rods and ultralight wall blocks comprising insulating material and/or structure, building designs for buildings of the present invention are facilitated that require no additional insulation. 
     A third alternative and enhanced kind of structure can be used in place of block assembly rods in the system of a building of the present invention. This enhanced structure will be termed a block assembly column. A block assembly column is typically a hollow steel supporting column, similar to commercially available columns, enhanced with top and bottom sections similar to the enhanced block assembly rod of FIG.  3 . Such a block assembly column, shown as  51  in FIG. 5, is typically of steel, and comprises: a hollow steel column  52  that is welded to a flat bottom column plate  61 , that is in turn welded to a solid steel rod section  62  having a flat bottom  57 ; a flat top column plate  56  that is typically of steel and is typically welded to the top of the column  52 , and a threaded top section  55  that is typically welded to the top column plate  56 . The block assembly column  51  is used with a block assembly column base  58 , typically of steel. The block assembly column base  58  comprises a hollow tube structure  53  that is typically welded to a plate  54 . When the building foundation is formed, block assembly column bases  58  are cast in the concrete, with the plate on top of the concrete foundation, and the open hole  59  of the tube structure  53  of FIG. 5 facing up. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the structure of a larger ultra-light wall block unit  71  of a design and composition suitable to be used with block assembly columns described above in the system of a building of the present invention. The ultra-light wall block unit  71  comprises an outer shell  72  about 1″ thick of ultra-light concrete, an inner layer  73  about 3″ thick of a light but rigid foam insulating material such as polyisocyanurate foam, hole liners  74  of material such as PVC, and holes  75  that are the inside of the hole liner  74  and that are sized to accommodate block assembly columns. Ultra-light wall block units function together with block assembly columns in a building of the present invention such that when the building is assembled, the columns rest on the foundation, and provide total vertical structural support for the roof of the building. The roof rests on steel top plate modules similar to those illustrated as  41  of FIG.  4 . The weight of the roof is supported from the foundation via the columns, and the columns are inhibited from bending or falling both by the steel rod sections  62  of FIG. 5, and by the encasing structure of the walls. As the building assembly continues, additional framing and wall elements add supporting structure that further enhances the function of the wall blocks  71  in preventing the columns from bending or falling. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates primary components of a roof module for the system of a building of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, a roof module is comprised of up to four main layers: a layer of ribbed steel decking  81 , an optional layer of platform panel  82  that is typically ½″ gypsumboard, a layer of insulation panel  83  that is typically 3″ polyisocyanurate foam, and a layer of a rubber membrane  84 . When the roof module is assembled, bolts  85  are inserted through bolt plates  86 , the layer of insulation panel  83 , the optional layer of platform panel  82 , and the layer of steel decking  81 . There are holes  87  in the layer of insulation panel  83 , holes  88  in the layer of optional platform panel  82 , and holes  89  in the layer of steel decking  81 , all sized and spaced to accommodate arrays of bolts spaced such as to secure the layers together, and to give the resulting assembled panel module added stiffness deriving from the structural properties of the layers. The bolt plates  86  have recessed center sections  90  to accommodate the shape of the bolt head, resulting in a relatively smooth top surface of the bolt head and the bolt plate when the bolts are secured. The bolt plates  86  have center holes  91  to allow the bolt to be inserted, and as a base for the bottoms  92  of the bolt heads. When the roof modules are assembled, some or all of the bolt heads protrude below the lower ribs  93  of the ribbed steel decking  81 , and through holes  96  in a spanning angle iron  94 , a section of which is shown in FIG.  7 . These spanning angle irons  94  run the length of the roof, and are secured to other angle irons that are in turn secured to top plate sections around the inner perimeter of the roof. When the roof modules are bolted to these angle iron sections  94 , this has the effect of both securing the roof module to the building, and indirectly to adjacent roof module sections that are also secured to the angle irons. Thus the roof module sections and the angle irons  94  are structurally an integrated load bearing unit. Although bolting, as shown in FIG. 7, is a preferred way of attaching roof modules to spanning angle irons, it should be understood that other means could be use to attach roof modules to spanning angle irons in the system of a building of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 shows an assembled roof module  95 , comprising the layers described with reference to the exploded view of FIG.  7 : the layer of ribbed steel decking  81 , an optional layer of platform panel  82 , a layer of insulation panel  83 , and a layer of a rubber membrane  84 . Continuing to refer to FIG. 8, the exploded view illustrates how the short ends of assembled roof modules of the system of a building of the present invention are attached to walls. The bottom rib sections  93  of the steel decking layer  81  rest on the block top plate  42 , and the block top plate in turn rests either on blocks, such as the concrete block  4  illustrated in FIG. 8, or wall blocks, or a combination thereof, and/or on top rod plate sections  26  of enhanced block assembly rods  21  of FIG.  4 . Referring again to FIG. 8, for some of the block assembly rods  3 , plastic coated steel cables  98 , with a looped end  99  are inserted through a hole  100  in the bottom rib  93  and looped around the block assembly rods  3 . The other end of each cable, also looped, is attached to a protruding bolt precast in the side of the foundation, illustrated as  6  of FIG.  1 . The steel cable is presized according to the height of the building, and is of a length such that it must typically be mechanically stretched to place the bottom loop on the protruding bolt  6  of FIG.  1 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 8, because the roof modules  95  are bolted to the block assembly rods  3  that run through the top plate holes  42 , cement block holes  5 , and/or wall block holes, and to the foundation, with the steel cables  98  in place, the roof modules, block plates, blocks, and foundation of the system of a building of the present invention all become effectively one assembly. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of adjacent top plates  41 , a section of angle iron  101 , and the top concrete blocks  4  of two adjacent stacks of concrete blocks of the system of a building of the present invention. Sections of angle iron  101  run the length of each wall, and thus run the entire inside perimeter of a building of the present invention. The inner flange  43  of each top plate section  41  has a bolt or a section of threaded rod  44  welded to it. The angle iron sections  101  have holes  103  that are spaced to align with a row of top plate sections  41 . The angle iron sections  101  are bolted to the top plate flange sections  43  using the bolt or threaded rod sections  44 . In this way the building is further structurally reinforced with respect to any vertical force vector acting on a wall. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a sloped wall top module  121  of the system of a building of the present invention. These sloped wall top modules can range in length from about 12′ to about 24′. When roof modules  95  are put in place, they run parallel to the sloped wall top modules, as shown in FIG.  12 . Referring to FIG. 10, the sloped roof top module  121  comprises a triangular shaped frame  122 , having a base plate  123  typically of steel or a similar material, a slight rise section  124  of between about 8″ and 18″, also typically of steel, and a top section  125  also typically of steel. There are holes  126  along the entire length of the base  123  and top section  125 , corresponding to the block assembly rod holes and/or block assembly column holes. The holes  126  in the top section  125  are large enough in diameter to allow a bolt to be placed on the threaded top of a block assembly rod or column, and then to bolt the base plate  123  securely to the block assembly rod or column. 
     Continuing to refer to FIG. 10, the sloped wall top module  121  has angle iron mountings  127 , typically at one to three points, at which steel angle irons can be attached that run perpendicular to the ribs of the roof modules. A section of one such steel angle iron  94  is shown as ready to be put in place and attached to mounting  128  of the sloped wall top module  121  of FIG.  10 . The sloped wall top module angle iron mountings  127  are typically welded to the base plate  123 , and have holes  130  that are used together with the holes  131  in an angle iron  94  to bolt angle irons  94  to the mountings. 
     FIG. 11 is a detail view of a mounting  127  on the base plate  123  of a section of a sloped wall top module  121 , and an angle iron  94  ready to be attached to the mounting  127  of the system of a building of the present invention. The angle iron  94  is placed against the mounting  127 , the holes  130  and  131  are aligned, the bolts  132  are inserted, and the angle iron  94  is thus secured to the mounting  127  and thereby to the sloped wall top module  121 . Additional vertical angle irons  133  are also secured to the angle irons  94  using bolts that run through aligned holes  134  and  135  in the angle iron  133  and the spanning angle iron  94  respectively. The other end of the angle iron  133  is bolted to one of the bolts  6  embedded in the foundation  1  as shown in FIG.  1 . In this way, the roof modules, the sloped wall top module, the wall, the block assembly rods and/or columns, and the foundation are all functionally one structure. 
     FIG. 12 is a view of two sloped wall top module sections  121 , a roof module  95 , a wall section  111 , and primary framing elements of the system of a building of the present invention. The wall top modules are placed such that there is a slope to the roof from the joining point  144  of the two wall top modules, downward to both sides. The joining point  144  of the wall top modules  121  is recessed, allowing the placement of a major spanning beam  141 , a section of which is illustrated in FIG. 12, such that the top  145  of the major spanning beam  141  is level with the sloped top plate sections  123  of the wall top module sections  121 . The major spanning beam  141  is typically a steel I-beam, and spans the length of the building to the opposite wall. 
     Angle irons  94  are mounted to the mountings on the wall top module sections  121 , as indicated in FIG.  12 . The mounting of the angle irons  94  is not illustrated in FIG. 12, but was illustrated and detailed earlier with reference to FIG.  11 . These angle irons span the length of the building to the opposite wall. 
     Both major supporting columns  143  and minor supporting columns  142  are used as framing elements in the system of a building of the present invention. These are detailed below with reference to other illustrations. As illustrated in FIG. 12, major supporting columns  143  are typically located under a major spanning beam  141 . Minor supporting columns  142  are typically located under spanning angle irons  94 , but can in some cases also be located under major supporting beams instead of major columns  143 . 
     When the framing structure is in place, roof modules  95  of the system of the present invention are put in place. These roof modules  95  are secured to angle iron supports  94 , as was described earlier and illustrated by FIG. 7, and one end of each roof module  95  is secured to the walls perpendicular to those with sloped wall top modules  121 , as was described earlier and illustrated by FIG.  8 . 
     The other end of the roof module  95  may be secured to a major spanning beam  141 , as illustrated in FIG. 13, showing a section of a roof module  95  and a section of a major spanning beam  141 . However, for some smaller buildings and/or sections of buildings of the present invention, both ends of roof modules  95  are secured to walls, and only one sloped wall top module  121  is used. When a major spanning beam is used, the spanning beam  141  has holes  151 , that are spaced to correspond with holes  97  in bottom ribs  93  of the roof module  95 . Bolts  152  are placed in holes  97  of the bottom ribs  93  of the roof module  95 . The roof modules  95  are placed on the roof such that the holes  97  and  151  are aligned, and thus the bolts  152  drop through the holes  151  in the major spanning beam  141 , nuts are placed, and the roof modules  95  are thus secured to the major spanning beam  141 . 
     FIG. 14 illustrates a minor supporting pillar  142  of the system of a building of the present invention. This typically comprises a hollow steel tube section(s)  159 , an optional pre-cast concrete column section  152 , an optional pre-cast concrete base  153 , and a top assembly further comprising a threaded top plate  154 , a threaded rod section  155 , and a roof supporting top plate  156 . The threaded rod section  155  is used to adjust the overall height of the minor supporting pillar  142  within a range of up to a few inches. The pre-cast concrete base can be pinned to the ground or to existing pavement by running rods of steel or similar material through the preformed holes  157 . The top part of the minor supporting pillar  142 , from the hollow steel tube section(s)  159  up, can be placed in a hole  158  that is pre-cast in the concrete column section  152 , or can be permanently embedded in the concrete column section  152 . The top part of the minor supporting pillar  142 , from the hollow steel tube section(s)  159  up, is commercially available in structures that typically are designed to support about 10,000 lbs. 
     FIG. 15 illustrates a major supporting pillar  143  of the system of a building of the present invention. This typically comprises a steel tube section  169 , and a pre-cast concrete base  163 . The steel tube section may be hollow, or may be filled with concrete and/or with additional steel reinforcing. The major supporting pillar is sized so that when it is in place its height corresponds to the height of an installed major spanning beam such as the spanning beam section  141  shown in FIG.  12 . The steel tube section  169  may be either permanently mounted in the pre-cast concrete base  163 , or may be placed in a pre-formed hole  168 . An optional steel base plate  167  may be cast in the pre-cast concrete base  163 . 
     FIG. 16 illustrates an optional wall insulation panel  172  and an optional foundation insulation panel  173 , shown with a wall assembly  171  of the system of a building of the present invention. The foundation and wall insulation panels can be installed together, or separately. The wall insulation panels  172  can be installed on either the inside or the outside of the building. The panels have thin, flexible insulation panel end sections  174 , with block assembly holes  175  that correspond to the pattern of holes  5  in the concrete blocks  4  and/or wall blocks used for the walls. To install wall insulation panels, one insulation panel end section  174  is placed on the foundation, and typically secured by block assembly rods or other rods that run through the block assembly holes. If both wall and foundation insulation panels are used, the end section  174  of the foundation insulation panel  173  is placed on the foundation  1  first, followed by placement of the wall insulation panel  172  end section  174 . The wall block is then installed. 
     Wall insulation panels such as  172  of FIG. 16 are sized with respect to a standard wall height. When all the wall blocks are in place, installation of the wall insulation panel  172  can be completed. The side of the wall insulation panel  172  can be optionally spot glued with a suitable adhesive, following a standardized pattern of adhesive placement that will facilitate later removal. The wall insulation panel  172  is then pressed or braced firmly against the wall  171  to ensure a permanent adhesive bond. The block assembly rod corresponding to block assembly hole  177  of FIG. 16 is removed if it is in place, and the top insulation panel end section is cut along lines  178  of FIG. 16, so that the top insulation panel end section  174  can be placed flat on the blocks. When the block assembly rod corresponding to the block assembly hole  177  is in place, the top of the insulation panel  172  is thus secured from moving away from the wall. 
     When foundation insulation  173  is installed, once the end section  174  is secured to the foundation  1 , the panel can optionally be pinned to the ground or to pavement by running securing rods, nails or spikes through holes  176  at the end of the panel section. Alternatively, the foundation insulation panels can be weighted, or secured to the ground in another way that may be preferable due to characteristics of a specific site and building of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 illustrates a view of a door opening and lintel assembly for a wall of the system of a building of the present invention. The section of assembled concrete block wall  181  of FIG. 17 has an opening  184  within which a door frame, garage door frame, or window frame, can be placed, as with conventional concrete block or concrete wall buildings. If a window is placed, additional wall block would typically rise from the foundation to the bottom of the window, assembled with shorter block assembly rods. Above the opening  184  is a lintel  182 , typically of reinforced concrete. The lintel  182  has block assembly rod holes  183  that align with the block assembly rod holes  5  in the stacks of blocks that the sides  185  of the lintel are placed in. The block assembly rods run through the lintel as they do through concrete blocks and/or wall blocks. The lintel also has holes  186  that correspond to the holes for block assembly rods that run through the blocks above the lintel, if any. These holes  186  typically run all the way through the lintel, and have enlarged lower ends to allow for shorter block assembly rods to be bolted at both ends to assemble the lintel and blocks above the lintel. 
     FIG. 18 illustrates a view of a floor module  191  of the system of a building of the present invention, near a section of foundation  1 . Floor modules  191  may be placed on a leveled surface  193  inside the foundation perimeter. They typically adjoin other floor modules and the foundation  1 . Holes  192  are in the floor modules  191 , allowing the floor modules to be pinned to the ground. If the ground is sufficiently leveled, and offers sufficient support, such pinning may be unnecessary. The holes  192  can also be used with cable and other means to easily place the floor modules adjacent to one another. Alternatively, if a building of the present invention is being placed on an already paved surface, floor modules may not be needed. 
     FIG. 19 illustrates an exploded view of a building link component of the system of a building of the present invention. A building link component is a short passageway from a building of the present invention to a pre-existing adjacent building. A building link may connect with a pre-existing garage door of an adjacent building, or may be placed at a point where it is necessary to cut an opening into the pre-existing building. FIG. 19 illustrates an exploded view of a building link component of a building of the present invention. There is an opening  211 , such as a garage door opening, in a wall section  212  of a building of the present invention. A lintel  201  is above the opening  211 . There are two extensions  202  and  203  to the foundation  1 , adjoining the opening in the pre-existing building. Wall sections  204  and  205  are situated on the foundation extensions  202  and  203  respectively. The sides  207  and  209  of the wall sections  204  and  205  adjoin the wall section  212 . A customized roof module  206  tops the wall sides  204  and  205 , and sits adjacent to the roof modules on the new building, not shown in FIG.  19 . The customized roof module  206  comprises the elements of a standard roof module as described earlier with reference to FIG. 7, but is custom built, and sized to the specific dimensions of a specific building link component. A section of rubber membrane is glued to the main roof modules of the building of the present invention, and to the customized roof module  206 , and gutters and flashing are then added as required to finish the roof. 
     If the pre-existing building roof is higher than the building roof level of the present invention, then the edge  213  of the customized roof module  206  of the building of the present invention abuts the pre-existing building, and is typically sealed to the pre-existing building wall at the building interface with a waterproof adhesive compound. If the roof level of the building of the present invention is higher than the pre-existing building, an additional custom side section, not shown in FIG. 19, must be attached to the sides  208  and  210  of the wall sections  204  and  205  respectively. Such a side section may be of the same composition of the customized roof module  206 , or may be of a different composition, depending on specifics of the pre-existing building. This element of the building link component of the present invention is not standardized. 
     The engineering design component of the system of a building of the present invention comprises a set of engineering parameters for combinations of components of a building of the present invention such that any use of a specific combination of components within the set of engineering parameters has been pre-determined to be structurally sound. As an example, it may be determined that for a range of specific floor dimensions, a specific number of parallel spanning roof angle irons, spaced at a specified range of distances, and a spacing of angle iron supporting minor supporting columns of no greater than a specific distance will constitute a specific building design of a building of the present invention that is structurally sound from an engineering point of view. Engineering design parameters may also be defined for a set of standard building link components. The engineering design component of the system of a building of the present invention thus reduces the engineering cost of rendering specific buildings of the present invention. 
     The architectural design component of the system of a building of the present invention typically comprises a floor and foundation plan and drawing that is unique to the building site, and an additional set of drawings that are modifications of template drawings, and are rendered for a specific project by editing the templates. The template drawings show floors, foundations, walls, roofs, and building links for a building of the present invention. The edited template drawings of a building of the present invention show how specific foundations, walls, doors, windows, framing, roofs, and building links of a building of the present invention are to be rendered. Because the basic structural design for all but the floor plan drawing can typically be prepared by editing templates, the architectural design component of the system of a building of the present invention thus reduces the architectural cost of rendering specific buildings of the present invention. Elements such as wiring, ventilating, heating, air conditioning, plumbing and sprinkler systems are custom designed with respect to the requirements of each building of the present invention, and are beyond the scope of the present invention. 
     The disassembly plan component of the system of a building of the present invention typically is prepared for each building shortly before the building is to be disassembled. The disassembly plan component specifies where the disassembled components of the specific building are to be sent, and how and where at the site they are to be staged for shipping. The disassembly plan component is prepared with respect to the construction requirements and timetables for other buildings of the present invention that are being assembled using components from the building being disassembled. 
     Any or all of: electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and sprinkler systems may be developed as modular systems to be used with buildings of the present invention, or may be installed conventionally once a building of the present invention is in place. Building components such as those enumerated in this paragraph are beyond the scope of the present invention. 
     While preferred embodiments of the system of a building of the present invention have been described, it should be appreciated that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the claims to determine the scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4