HOUSING SYSTEM

Abstract

A portable housing system is provided that transmits forces through a plurality of walls. The walls may be arrayed about a central axis. A tension cable is wrapped around top ends of the walls, and anchor cables are interconnected to bottom ends of the walls. This cabling system transmits lateral forces through the walls towards the central axis. Joists and rafters extend inwardly from the walls towards a floor ring and a roof ring, respectively. The weight of the housing system acts against the cabling system, and the housing system rests in balanced state. The anchor cables may also anchor the housing system to a ground surface.

Claims

1. A portable housing system for transmitting forces through a plurality of walls, comprising: a plurality of walls having an upper end and a lower end, said plurality of walls substantially positioned around a central axis; a tension cable circumscribing an outer surface of said plurality of walls proximate to said upper end of walls, said tension cable applying a force laterally through said upper end of said plurality of walls and substantially toward said central axis; a plurality of joists having a proximate end and a distal end, said distal end of said plurality of joists is interconnected to said lower end of said plurality of walls; a plurality of joist plates provide said interconnection between said plurality of joists and said plurality of walls, wherein said plurality of joist plates interconnect adjacent walls; a plurality of cable anchors interconnected to said plurality of joist plates and interconnected to a ground surface, said plurality of cable anchors applying a force laterally through said joist plates and said lower end of said plurality of walls and substantially toward said central axis; and a floor ring disposed about said central axis, said proximate end of said plurality of joists is interconnected to said floor ring.

2. The portable housing system of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of rafters having a distal end and a proximate end, said distal end of said plurality of rafters is interconnected to said upper end of said plurality of walls; and a roof ring disposed about said central axis, said proximate end of said plurality of rafters is interconnected to said roof ring.

3. The portable housing system of claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of rafter brackets to provide said interconnection between said plurality of rafters and said plurality of walls.

4. The portable housing system of claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of ceiling panels positioned on said plurality of rafters; a roof cover positioned on said plurality of ceiling panels; a roof crown positioned on said roof cover above said roof ring; and a roof dome interconnected to said roof crown.

5. The portable housing system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of floor panels positioned on said plurality of joists.

6. The portable housing system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of leveling feet positioned below said plurality of joist plates, wherein said plurality of leveling feet comprise threaded bolts that pass through said plurality of j oist plates and into said plurality of walls.

7. The portable housing system of claim 1, wherein said cable anchors of said plurality of cable anchors comprise a drive anchor to penetrate said ground surface.

8. The portable housing system of claim 1, wherein each joist plate comprises a longitudinal aperture, wherein a fastener passes through said longitudinal aperture of each joist plate into a respective joist of said plurality of j oists, and wherein said fastener and said respective joist are positionable relative to each joist plate along said longitudinal aperture.

9. The portable housing system of claim 6, wherein at least one threaded bolt passes through at least one lateral aperture of each joist plate into a respective wall, wherein said at least one threaded bolt and said respective wall are positionable relative to each joist plate along said lateral aperture.

10. A method for assembling a housing system, comprising: placing a floor ring on a ground surface, wherein a central axis extends vertically through a center of said floor ring; interconnecting a proximate end of a plurality of joists to said floor ring; interconnecting a lower end of a plurality of walls to a distal end of said plurality of joists, wherein a plurality of cable anchors are interconnected to said ground surface and operably interconnected to said lower end of said plurality of walls; applying, by said plurality of cable anchors, a force through said lower end of said plurality of walls toward said central axis to induce a first radial force on said floor ring; interconnecting a distal end of a plurality of rafters to said upper end of said plurality of walls; interconnecting a proximate end of said plurality of rafters to a roof ring, wherein said central axis extends vertically through a center of said roof ring; providing a tension cable about an outer perimeter of said plurality of walls proximate to an upper end of said plurality of walls; and applying, by said tension cable, a force through said upper end of said plurality of walls toward said central axis to induce a second radial force on said roof ring.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: providing a plurality of rafter brackets to interconnect said plurality of rafters and said plurality of walls.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: interconnecting a plurality of ceiling panels to said plurality of rafters; positioning a roof cover on said plurality of ceiling panels; positioning a roof crown on said roof cover above said roof ring; and interconnecting a roof dome to said roof crown.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one wall of said plurality of walls has a hinged door to provide access into said housing system.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: providing a plurality of joist plates to interconnect said plurality of joists and said walls, wherein said plurality of joist plates interconnect adjacent walls, and said plurality of cable anchors are interconnected to said plurality of joist plates.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: positioning a plurality of leveling feet below said plurality of joist plates, wherein said plurality of leveling feet comprise threaded bolts that pass through said plurality of joist plates and into said plurality of walls.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said cable anchors of said plurality of cable anchors comprise a drive anchor to penetrate said ground surface.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: providing a longitudinal aperture on each joist plate; and passing a fastener through said longitudinal aperture of each joist plate into a respective joist of said plurality of joists, and wherein said fastener and said respective joist are positionable relative to each joist plate along said longitudinal aperture.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: passing at least one threaded bolt through at least one lateral aperture of each joist plate into a respective wall, wherein said at least one threaded bolt and said respective wall are positionable relative to each joist plate along said lateral aperture.

19. A portable self-standing structure, comprising: a plurality of walls having an upper end and a lower end, said plurality of walls substantially arrayed about a central axis; a tension cable circumscribing an outer surface of said plurality of walls proximate to said upper end of walls, said tension cable applying a force laterally through said upper end of said plurality of walls and substantially toward said central axis; a plurality of joists having a proximate end and a distal end, said distal end of said plurality of joists interconnected to said lower end of said plurality of walls via a plurality of joist plates, wherein said plurality of joist plates interconnect adjacent walls; a plurality of cable anchors interconnected to said plurality of joist plates and interconnected to a ground surface, said plurality of cable anchors applying a force laterally through said joist plates and said lower end of said plurality of walls and substantially toward said central axis; a floor ring disposed about said central axis, said proximate end of said plurality of joists interconnected to said floor ring; a plurality of rafters having a distal end and a proximate end, said distal end of said plurality of rafters interconnected to said upper end of said plurality of walls via a plurality of rafter plates, wherein a bolt extending from said distal end of said plurality of rafters extends through an aperture in said plurality of rafter plates; and a roof ring disposed about said central axis, said proximate end of said plurality of rafters interconnected to said roof ring.

20. The portable self-standing structure of claim 19, wherein each cable anchor of said plurality of cable anchors is interconnected to adjacent joist plates.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosures.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a housing system in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a plurality of piers for a housing system in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a plurality of joists in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 3B is a top plan view of a plurality of joists interconnected to a floor ring in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 4A is a top plan view of a joist plate in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0025] FIGS. 4B and 4C are perspective views of a joist plate in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a plurality of floor sheaths in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 6A is a top plan view of a joint between two walls in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 6B is a front elevation view of a wall in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 6C is a cross sectional, side elevation view of a wall in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a top end of a wall joint where each wall has a notch in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a top end of a wall joint with a tension cable positioned in notches in each wall in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 8A is a top plan view of an anchor system in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of an anchor system in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 8C is a side elevation view of an anchor rod in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a plurality of rafters interconnected to a roof ring in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view of an interconnection between a rafter and a wall in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a plurality of roof panels in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a roof cover in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a roof crown in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 11B is a side elevation view of a roof crown and a roof dome in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a housing system in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention; and

[0042] FIG. 12B is a perspective view of an interior of a housing system in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] To assist in the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

TABLE-US-00001 Component No. Component 2 Housing System 4 Pier 6 Floor 8 Wall 10 Roof 12 Dome 14 Door 16 Awning 18 Window 20 Anchor 22 Rod Offset 24 Cable Angle 26 Edge Joist 28 Center Joist 30 Ledger 32 Floor Ring 34 Joist Plate 35A Longitudinal Aperture 35B Lateral Aperture 36 Leveling Feet 38 First Floor Sheath 40 Second Floor Sheath 42 Third Floor Sheath 44 Frame 46 Brace 48 Structural Panel 50 Notch 52 Tension Cable 54 Anchor Cable 56 Anchor Rod 58 Anchor Cable Adjuster 60 Edge Rafter 62 Center Rafter 64 Roof Ring 66 Rafter Bracket 68 Bolt 70 Roof Panel 72 Roof Cover 74 Roof Crown

[0044] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and various dimensions may be altered. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the present invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The present invention has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the Applicant's intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the present invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. To acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most closely related to the present invention, a preferred embodiment that illustrates the best mode now contemplated for putting the present invention into practice is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary embodiment is described in detail without attempting to describe all of the various forms and modifications in which the present invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiments described herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the arts, and may be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0046] Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning.

[0047] Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein and as depicted in the drawings. It is expressly understood that although the figures show rings, joists, rafters, and other components, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0048] Now referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a housing system 2 is provided. The housing system 2 in this embodiment generally comprises a system of piers 4, a floor 6 set on the piers 4, walls 8 extending upward from the floor 6, a roof 10 extending upward from the walls 8, and a dome 12 set on top of the roof 10. The housing system 2 may comprise further features. For example, a door 14 may be disposed above the floor 6 in place of a wall 8, and an awning 16 may be positioned over the door 14. Further, one or more windows 18 may be positioned in the walls 8.

[0049] The housing system 2 in FIG. 1 is a sixteen-sided structure, but other embodiments of the invention may have other configurations. For example, the housing system 2 may be a fourteen-sided or twelve-sided structure. It will be appreciated that aspects of the invention described herein may apply to a housing system 2 with any number of sides, including a single continuous side.

[0050] Now referring to FIG. 2, a top plan view of a pier 4 system is provided. Outer piers 4a-4p are arrayed about a center point or axis of the housing system, and center piers 4q-4t are positioned adjacent to the center point. In some embodiments, the center of each outer pier 4a-4p is positioned 11 1 from the center point of the housing system. Similarly, in some embodiments, the center of each center pier 4q-4t is positioned 17 3/16 from the center point of the housing system. In some embodiments, the piers 4a-4t may be made from cement and have their respective heights adjusted with a mortar layer.

[0051] The piers 4 are also associated with an anchor 20 system. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a pair of outer piers 4a-4p are matched with an anchor 20. For example, piers 4e and 4f are matched with a single anchor 20. The anchor comprises an anchor rod and an anchor cable, which are described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 8A and 8B. The point at which the anchor rod breaks through the ground surface may be positioned from a circumference of the outer piers 4a-4p by a rod offset 22, which in some embodiments is approximately 24. Further, the anchor cables may form a cable angle 24 with the circumference of the outer piers 4a-4p, which in some embodiments is approximately 45. The distance between the midpoints of adjacent outer piers 4a-4p may be approximately 52 in some embodiments. Similarly, the distance between the midpoints of adjacent center piers 4q-4t may be approximately 24 5/16.

[0052] Now referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, floor joists may be positioned on the piers 4a-4t after the piers 4a-4t are leveled and set in place. In this embodiment, sixteen edge joists 26 and sixteen center joists 28 emanate from a central point or axis of the housing system. The edge joists 26 may be double joists, and distal ends of the edge joists 26 are positioned on the outer piers. Ledgers 30 interconnect the distal ends of the edge joists 26 from pier to pier. Then, distal ends of the center joists 28 are interconnected to the ledgers 30. In some embodiments, the joists and ledgers may be made from wood.

[0053] FIG. 3B provides a detailed top plan view of proximate ends of the edge joists 26 and the center joists 28. A floor ring 32 is positioned about the central point or axis of the housing system, and the floor ring 32 is disposed on the center piers. The proximate ends of the edge joists 26 and the center joists 28 may be interconnected to the floor ring 32 via dowels or any other means of interconnection.

[0054] Now referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, various views of a joist plate 34 are provided. The joist plate 34 provides the interface between the edge joists 26 and the piers 4 on which the edge joists 26 are positioned. In some embodiments, the joist plate 34 may be made from 3/16 steel, but it will be appreciated that the joist plate 34 may be made from any rigid material of appropriate size. As shown in FIG. 4A, the joist plate 34 may comprise longitudinal apertures 35A and lateral apertures 35B. Fasteners such as threaded bolts pass through the longitudinal apertures 35A and into an edge joist 26. In some embodiments, the configuration between the fasteners and the longitudinal apertures 35A allows the joist plate 34 to move relative to the edge joist 26.

[0055] Leveling feet 36 may be secured to the lateral apertures 35B in the joist plate 34, and the leveling feet 36 allow the joist plate 34 to rest on the pier 4. The leveling feet 36 may be vertically adjusted to ensure that the edge joists 26 and the ledgers 30 form a level platform. The leveling feet 36 may also comprise a threaded bolt that extends upward through the lateral apertures 35B of the joist plate 34 and into walls. Therefore, with the walls and the leveling feet 36 secured to the joist plate 34, the walls may move relative to the edge joists 26 and the floor due to the configuration between the fasteners and the longitudinal apertures 35A in the joist plate 34.

[0056] Now referring to FIG. 5, a top plan view of a floor 6 is provided. A series of sheaths cover the joists and ledgers shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The first floor sheath 38 covers the interconnection between the distal ends of the edge joists and the ledgers. The second floor sheath 40 covers the space substantially disposed between the edge joists. Lastly, the third floor sheath 42 covers the proximate ends of the joists and the floor ring. Thus, complete flooring is provided for the housing system. The sheaths in some embodiments may be made from plywood.

[0057] Now referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, various views of the walls 8 erected over the floor are provided. In FIG. 6A, two walls 8 are joined together, and the intersection between the two walls 8 is positioned over the joist plate 34 at the distal end of an edge joist 26. In this embodiment, a threaded bolt from each of the leveling feet passes through the joist plate 34 and into the bottom end of the walls 8.

[0058] FIGS. 6B and 6C show alternative views of a wall 8. In FIG. 6B, the wall 8 comprises a frame 44 outlining the outer edge of the wall 8 and a brace 46 positioned across the frame 44 to support one or more structural panels 48 that fill in the space defined by the frame 44. The frame 44 may be wood in various embodiments, and the structural panels 48 can be configured to meet the demands of the environment surrounding the housing system. For example, the structural panels 48 may have a high thermal R value to protect against a cold climate. In some embodiments, the panels 48 are wood or engineered wood such as LPSmartSide.

[0059] Now referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, various perspective views of the top end of two walls 8 are provided. The bottoms ends of the walls 8 are secured to the leveling feet and the joist plate. At the top end of the walls 8, on an outer surface, a notch 50 is provided for a tension cable 52. Once the tension cable 52 is positioned in the notch 50, the notch 50 prevents upward or downward movement of the tension cable 52 along the walls 8. Then, the tension cable 52 is tightened, for example by a turnbuckle, to secure the top ends of the walls 8 together. The tension cable 52 provides a lateral force directed toward a central point or axis of the housing system.

[0060] Now referring to FIGS. 8A-8C, various views of the anchor 20 are provided. FIG. 8A is a top plan view of the anchor 20, which comprises an anchor cable 54, an anchor rod 56, and an anchor cable adjuster 58. The anchor rod 56 is positioned in the ground beneath the housing structure. The anchor rod 56 may be configured to anchor within, for example, soil or rock. It will be appreciated that the anchor rod 56 is not limited to these ground types. Further, the exposed end of the anchor rod 56 may form an anchor angle with the ground surface. In some embodiments, the anchor angle is approximately 45 and oriented away from the center point or axis of the housing system as shown in FIG. 8C.

[0061] In yet further embodiments, the anchor rod 56 is interconnected to the floor ring. The anchor cable 54 interconnects one end of the anchor rod 56 to two adjacent joist plates 34. The anchor cable adjuster 58 can be configured to apply tension to the anchor cable 54. Thus, the joist plates 34, the leveling feet, and the walls 8 are pulled inward toward a central point or axis of the housing system to secure these components in place. This lateral force and the lateral force applied to the top end of the walls draws the walls inward. The weight of the roof, the walls and other components provides a force that counteracts the force generated by the cabling system. Thus, the resulting housing system rests in a balanced and tensioned state, which supports the housing system against extreme forces.

[0062] Now referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a perspective view and a cross sectional view of the roof are provided, respectively. In FIG. 9A, the roof comprises a series of rafters, specifically, sixteen edge rafters 60 and sixteen center rafters 62. The edge rafters 60 extend from the joints between two walls 8 upward toward a central point or axis of the housing system. The central rafters 62 may be interconnected to a saddle bracket in the center of the walls 8 and extend upward toward the central point or axis of the housing system. Proximate ends of the rafters 60, 62 are interconnected to a roof ring 64, which is similar to the floor ring. The roof ring 64 is positioned about a central point or axis of the housing system, and the proximate ends of the rafters 60, 62 may be interconnected to the roof ring 64 via dowels or any other means of interconnection.

[0063] FIG. 9B shows a cross sectional view of an edge rafter 60 interconnected to walls. A rafter bracket 66 is interconnected to two walls 8 at the interconnection between the two walls 8. An aperture in the rafter bracket 66 provides a location for a bolt 68 extending from the edge rafter 60 to interconnect to the rafter bracket 66.

[0064] Now referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, perspective views of the roof 10 are provided. In FIG. 10A, a series of roof panels 70 are positioned over the rafters. The roof panels may be configured to provide enhanced performance in various environments, and the roof panels may be plywood in some embodiments. After the roof panels 70 are in place, a roof cover 72 may be positioned over the roof panels 70 as shown in FIG. 10B. The roof cover 72 may be a single piece of material that, for example, provides a water proof quality to the roof. The roof cover 72 may be, for example, a continuous PVC membrane that is secured to the tension cable around the top ends of the walls. The roof cover 72 may also comprise a layer of insulating foam in some embodiments. The tension cable and the bottom of the roof cover 72 may be covered with a valance.

[0065] Now referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, various views of the roof 10 and a roof crown 74 are provided. The proximate ends of the rafters are positioned in a roof ring, and then a roof crown 74 is positioned over the roof ring. The roof crown 74 provides a location for the dome 12 to be secured to the housing system. The dome 12 may be transparent or translucent to allow external light into the housing system. For example, the dome 12 may be made from acrylic or other type of transparent high impact plastic such as Plexiglas.

[0066] Now referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, perspective views of the outside of a completed housing system and the inside of a completed housing system are provided, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, walls are not positioned above every floor ledger. For example, window walls or doors may be positioned in place of a standard wall.

[0067] The present invention has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the Applicant's intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the present invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. For example, embodiments of the present invention can include barns, pavilions, or any other structure that can utilize the benefits described herein.

[0068] The phrases at least one, one or more, and and/or, as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions at least one of A, B, and C, at least one of A, B, or C, one or more of A, B, and C, one or more of A, B, or C, and A, B, and/or C means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together.

[0069] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification, drawings, and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about.

[0070] The term a or an entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms a (or an), one or more and at least one can be used interchangeably herein.

[0071] The use of including, comprising, or having, and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms including, comprising, or having and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein.

[0072] It shall be understood that the term means as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term means shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or acts, and the equivalents thereof, shall include all those described in the summary of the present invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.

[0073] The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for illustration and description purposes. However, the description is not intended to limit the present invention to only the forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the present invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings and skill and knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein above are further intended to explain best modes of practicing the present invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such a manner, or include other embodiments with various modifications as required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.