SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BEARING A LOAD

Abstract

A structural webbing to be custom cut and fit to individual job sites, allowing for the reduction or elimination of traditional beams used in structural building. Webbing uses angular forces to bear loads, resulting in reduction of thick beams. Elimination of beams allows for significant reduction in resource consumption and increase in thermal efficiency of structure. Webbing allows elimination of thermal shorts and increased space for insulating materials. Webbing consists of alternating nodes and members, wherein members are disposed at positive and negative angles to the nodes, creating a zig-zag pattern. May include upper or lower cords. Can be used in straight line for walls, window headers, doors, etc., or in curves or other more elaborate shapes for curved windows, etc. Suitable for load bearing walls, upper and lower floors. Nodes can be coupled with standard structural members such as king studs, head pieces, and top and bottom plates.

Claims

1. A structural webbing, comprising: a first segment, the first segment including: a first node, the first node including one hole; and a first lateral member, the one lateral member coupled to the first node; a second segment, the second segment including: a second node, the second node including one hole; and a second lateral member, the second lateral member coupled to the second node; and a third node coupled with the second lateral member, the third node including one hole; wherein the first segment and the second segment are permanently coupled at the second node.

2. The structural webbing of claim 1, further comprising: a third segment, the third segment including: a third lateral member; and a fourth node coupled with the third lateral member, the fourth node including one hole; a fourth segment, the fourth segment including: a fourth lateral member; and a fifth node coupled with the fourth lateral member, the fifth node including one hole; wherein the second segment and the third segment are permanently coupled at the third node, and the third segment and the fourth segment are permanently coupled at the fourth node.

3. The structural webbing of claim 2, further comprising: a first king stud and a second king stud, wherein the first node is disposed on the first king stud and the fifth node is disposed on the second king stud.

4. The structural webbing of claim 2, further comprising: a first trimmer and a second trimmer, wherein the first node is disposed on the first trimmer and the fifth node is disposed on the second trimmer.

5. The structural webbing of claim 2, further comprising: a head piece; and a top plate, wherein the first node, the third node, and the fifth node are disposed on the head piece; and wherein the second node and the fourth node are disposed on the top plate.

6. The structural webbing of claim 2, further comprising: a bottom plate; and a top plate, wherein the first node, the third node, and the fifth node are disposed on the bottom plate; and wherein the second node and the fourth node are disposed on the top plate.

7. The structural webbing of claim 2, further comprising: a lower cord, wherein the lower cord is coupled with the first node, the third node, and the fifth node.

8. The structural webbing of claim 2, further comprising: an upper cord, wherein the upper cord is coupled with the second node and the fourth node.

9. A structural webbing, comprising: a lead node and a terminal node; a lead lateral member and a terminal lateral member; and a plurality of nodes and lateral members disposed between the lead node and lead member and the terminal node and terminal member, wherein the plurality of nodes and lateral members alternate such that each lateral member is permanently coupled at an end to a node.

10. The structural webbing in claim 9, wherein the terminal nodes and the plurality of nodes include at least one fastening means.

11. The structural webbing in claim 9, further comprising: at least one insulating material disposed between each of the plurality of lateral members.

12. The structural webbing in claim 9, wherein the alternating nodes and members form a straight line on at least one plane.

13. The structural webbing in claim 9, wherein the webbing is disposed within a wall of a building structure.

14. The structural webbing in claim 9, wherein the lead node and the terminal node are coupleable with at least one of a wall stud or a king stud.

15. The structural webbing in claim 9, wherein the lead node, the terminal node, and the plurality of nodes are coupleable with at least one of a top plate or a bottom plate.

16. The structural webbing in claim 9, wherein the plurality of nodes are alternatingly coupleable with at least one of a top plate or a head piece.

17. The structural webbing in claim 9, wherein the alternating nodes and members form peaks and valleys in the webbing, and wherein each peak and each valley contain a node.

18. A structural webbing, comprising: a lead node at the front of the webbing and a terminal node at the end of the webbing; a lead lateral member and a terminal lateral member, wherein the lead lateral member is coupled with the lead node and the terminal lateral member is coupled with the terminal node; and a plurality of nodes and lateral members disposed between the lead nodes and members and the terminal nodes and members, wherein the plurality of nodes and lateral members alternate such that each member is permanently coupled at an end to a node.

19. The structural webbing of claim 19, wherein the plurality of nodes and lateral members form peaks and valleys such that alternating nodes are coupleable with one of an upper cord or a lower cord.

20. The structural webbing of claim 1, wherein the first segment and the second segment permanently coupled at the second node comprise: the first segment and the second segment permanently coupled, such that the nodes and the lateral members of each segment comprise a single, undetachable unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0016] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a different embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0017] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a different embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0018] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of one portion of a different embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a side view thereof;

[0020] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a different embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a front environmental view of one embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0022] FIG. 8 is a front environmental view of one embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0023] FIG. 9 is a front environmental view of one embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0024] FIG. 10 is a close up view of one environmental arrangement of the system for bearing a load;

[0025] FIG. 11 is a close up environmental view of a different embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0026] FIG. 12 is a close up environmental view of a different embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0027] FIG. 13 is a close up environmental view of a different embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0028] FIG. 14 is an environmental view of a different implementation of the system for bearing a load;

[0029] FIG. 15a is a front plan view of a different embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0030] FIG. 15b is an isometric exploded view thereof;

[0031] FIG. 15c is an isometric view thereof;

[0032] FIG. 16a is a front plan view of a different embodiment of the system for bearing a load;

[0033] FIG. 16b is an isometric exploded view thereof;

[0034] FIG. 17a is a front plan view of a different embodiment of the system for bearing a load; and

[0035] FIG. 17b is an isometric exploded view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] This invention relates generally to building structures, and, more specifically, to systems and methods for bearing a load.

[0037] Specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1-14 to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. The present invention may have additional embodiments, may be practiced without one or more of the details described for any particular described embodiment, or may have any detail described for one particular embodiment practiced with any other detail described for another embodiment.

[0038] Importantly, a grouping of inventive aspects in any particular embodiment within this detailed description, and/or a grouping of limitations in the claims presented herein, is not intended to be a limiting disclosure of those particular aspects and/or limitations to that particular embodiment and/or claim. The inventive entity presenting this disclosure fully intends that any disclosed aspect of any embodiment in the detailed description and/or any claim limitation ever presented relative to the instant disclosure and/or any continuing application claiming priority from the instant application (e.g. continuation, continuation-in-part, and/or divisional applications) may be practiced with any other disclosed aspect of any embodiment in the detailed description and/or any claim limitation. Claimed combinations which draw from different embodiments and/or originally-presented claims are fully within the possession of the inventive entity at the time the instant disclosure is being filed. Any future claim comprising any combination of limitations, each such limitation being herein disclosed and therefore having support in the original claims or in the specification as originally filed (or that of any continuing application claiming priority from the instant application), is possessed by the inventive entity at present irrespective of whether such combination is described in the instant specification because all such combinations are viewed by the inventive entity as currently operable without undue experimentation given the disclosure herein and therefore that any such future claim would not represent new matter.

[0039] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the system for bearing a load. The system is comprised essentially of a structural webbing 100. In some embodiments, structural webbing 100 may begin with a lead node 101. In some embodiments, lead node 101 may be a flat portion of material coupled with the remainder of the structure. In some embodiments, said coupling may be weld, adhesive, solder, braze, or puncture coupling such as rivets, nails, screws, etc. In some embodiments, the entire structure may be comprised of a single bar of source material, such as a tube, roll, or bar of material. In such embodiments, lead node 101 may be a flat portion of material stamped into shape from the same source material as the remainder of the structure. See FIGS. 4 and 5 for one non-limiting example. In some embodiments, node 101 may include a fastener hole 109. It is via this hole that some embodiments may be coupled to other structural elements, which will be discussed in more detail with FIG. 7 and beyond.

[0040] In some embodiments, structural webbing 100 may end with terminal node 102. In some embodiments, terminal node 102 may be a flat portion of material coupled with the remainder of the structure. In some embodiments, said coupling may be weld, adhesive, solder, braze, or puncture coupling such as rivets, nails, screws, etc. In some embodiments, the entire structure may be comprised of a single bar of source material, such as a tube, roll, or bar of material. In such embodiments, terminal node 102 may be a flat portion of material stamped into shape from the same source material as the remainder of the structure. See FIGS. 4 and 5 for one non-limiting example. In some embodiments, node 102 may include a fastener hole 109. It is via this hole that some embodiments may be coupled to other structural elements, which will be discussed in more detail with FIG. 7 and beyond.

[0041] In preferred embodiments, lead node 101 and terminal node 102 form the beginning and end of structural webbing 100. This allows for the webbing to be anchored into place on a stud or beam as appropriate, which will be discussed further with FIG. 7 and beyond. While this is a preferred embodiment, it should be clear that under particular circumstances, it may be desirable to eliminate either lead node 101 or terminal node 102.

[0042] In some embodiments, structural webbing 100 may include a lead member 103. This member and other members may be referred to throughout the specification as member or lateral member, wherein lateral means that it extends away from nodes to at least some extent in at least one horizontal direction. In some embodiments, lead member 103 may be coupled with lead node 101, extending away from the node at an angle, giving the member both height and distance from the lead node. In a preferred embodiment, lead member 103 extends away from lead node 101 at a substantially 45 degree angle from horizontal as the user looks from left to right. However, different applications may call for a higher or lower angle, and therefore lead member 103 may extend away from lead node 101 at any angle between 90 and 270 degrees from horizontal as the user looks from left to right. As with the nodes 101 and 102, the coupling of lateral member 103 may be any number of methods of coupling, such as weld, adhesive, solder, braze, or puncture coupling such as rivets, nails, screws, etc. In some embodiments, the entire structure may be comprised of a single bar of source material, such as a tube, roll, or bar of material. In such embodiments, lead node 101 may be a flat portion of material stamped into shape from the same source material as lead member 103.

[0043] In some embodiments, structural webbing 100 may include terminal member 104. This member and other members may be referred to throughout the specification as member or lateral member, wherein lateral means that it extends away from nodes to at least some extent in at least one horizontal direction. In some embodiments, terminal member 104 may be coupled with terminal node 102, extending away from the node at an angle, giving the member both height and distance from the terminal node. In a preferred embodiment, terminal member 104 extends away from terminal node 102 at a substantially 45 degree angle from horizontal as the user looks from right to left. However, different applications may call for a higher or lower angle, and therefore terminal member 104 may extend away from terminal node 102 at any angle between 90 and 270 degrees from horizontal as the user looks from right to left. As with the nodes 102 and 102, the coupling of lateral member 104 may be any number of methods of coupling, such as weld, adhesive, solder, braze, or puncture coupling such as rivets, nails, screws, etc. In some embodiments, the entire structure may be comprised of a single bar of source material, such as a tube, roll, or bar of material. In such embodiments, terminal node 102 may be a flat portion of material stamped into shape from the same source material as terminal member 104.

[0044] In some embodiments, structural webbing 100 may include at least one lower node 105. In some embodiments, structural webbing 100 may include a plurality of lower nodes 105. In preferred embodiments, lower nodes 105 will be substantially the same as lead and terminal nodes 101 and 102, in that they will either be coupled with or stamped out of the same material as the remainder of the structure. Lower nodes 105 will, in some embodiments, also have fastener holes 109, allowing for a puncture type fastener to be deployed through the whole to couple the nodes with other elements. However, lower nodes 105 do not necessarily need to be fastened to other elements in order to perform their functions. Lower nodes 105 are at least partially designed to bear some of the structural load above the webbing, and need not necessarily be fastened to other elements to do so, acting more as a brace. Nonetheless, fastener holes 109 may be included to allow fastening when desired. This will also be discussed further in FIGS. 7 and beyond. In some embodiments, lower nodes 105 may be on at least one substantially same plane as at least one of lead node 101 or terminal node 102, though in some applications there could be cause for the nodes to differ in height or lateral placement.

[0045] In some embodiments, structural webbing 100 may include at least one upper node 106. In some embodiments, structural webbing 100 may include a plurality of upper nodes 106. In preferred embodiments, upper nodes 106 will be substantially the same as lead and terminal nodes 101 and 102, in that they will either be coupled with or stamped out of the same material as the remainder of the structure. Upper nodes 106 will, in some embodiments, also have fastener holes 109, allowing for a puncture type fastener to be deployed through the whole to couple the nodes with other elements. However, upper nodes 106 do not necessarily need to be fastened to other elements in order to perform their functions. Upper nodes 106 are at least partially designed to bear some of the structural load above the webbing, and need not necessarily be fastened to other elements to do so, acting more as a brace. Nonetheless, fastener holes 109 may be included to allow fastening when desired. This will also be discussed further in FIGS. 7 and beyond. In some embodiments, upper nodes 106 may be on at least one substantially same plane as at least one of lead node 101 or terminal node 102, though in some applications there could be cause for the nodes to differ in height or lateral placement.

[0046] Some embodiments of structural webbing 100 may include at least one middle lateral member 107. Lateral members 107 may, in some embodiments, be disposed between upper and lower nodes 105 and 106, and coupled with the same in substantially the same way as lead and terminal nodes and members are coupled, i.e. welded or stamped. In a preferred embodiment, lateral members 107 will alternate being at positive and negative angles to the nodes, giving structural webbing 100 a W or zig-zag shape as seen in FIGS. 1-3 and 6. In a preferred embodiment, a user looking from left to right will see a lead node 101, a lead member 103 at a substantially 45 degree angle to the lead node, an upper node 106, a middle member 107 at a substantially 315 degree angle to the upper node 106, a lower node 105 on substantially the same horizontal plane as the lead node, a middle member 107 at a substantially 45 degree angle to the lower node, an upper node 106, and so on. The number of lower nodes 105, upper nodes 106, and middle members 107 will depend on the particular application, and may range from zero to any non-zero number.

[0047] Certain applications may require that structural webbing 100 be installed with lead and terminal nodes 101 and 102 facing upwards, as can be seen in FIG. 2. While this may change the beginning and end of the structure, as FIG. 2 illustrates, it otherwise has no significant bearing on the configuration or function of structural webbing 100. Additionally, in some embodiments, the material used may include a plurality of non-structural holes as seen in FIG. 1. This may be used for any number of reasons, including but not limited to a desire to use less material, better ventilation, or simply that it was the material on hand to fill the order. As can be seen in FIG. 2, a lack of said holes has no structural bearing on the configuration or function of the webbing.

[0048] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of one alternative embodiment of structural webbing 100. As can be seen, nodes 101, 102, 105, and 106 are all present, as are members 103, 104, and 107. A primary difference in FIG. 3 from FIG. 1 is that nodes 101, 102, 105, and 106 are stamped into place, rather than otherwise coupled with the members 103, 104, and 107. In some applications, a user may decide that it is timelier to custom stamp the structure than to weld it, giving the user more ability to manufacture a custom order or to reduce the number of machining processes required, in two non-limiting examples. Stamping the webbing may generally prove to be a more efficient process, and it should have little to no bearing on the structural integrity of the webbing. In fact, depending on the material used, stamping or otherwise forming a single unit into the webbing may increase structural integrity. For example, stamping a bend or curve 108 into the material along the member 107 portions gives additional structural integrity to the members. FIGS. 4 and 5 show another method of stamping structural webbing 100. In this embodiment, the webbing source material would first be stamped into alternating sections of nodes 101 and members 103, with the members curved at 108 to increase structural integrity. In some embodiments, nodes 101 may have at least one fastener hole 109, and stamping would clearly delineate the portion of the webbing to be used as a node. Either before or even at the job site, the webbing could be bent to the proper angle as seen in FIG. 5, allowing builders greater latitude in custom fitting structural webbing 100 to the structure being built. While FIGS. 4 and 5 are marked as demonstrating lead node 101 and lead member 103, it should be understood that this method may be used for the entire structural webbing 100, including nodes 102, 105, and 106 and members 104 and 107.

[0049] In preferred embodiments, the material will generally be a strong material that resists deformation, such as steel or titanium. Steel in particular is ideal, as it can be easily recycled, is relatively easy to come by otherwise, and can add tremendous strength properties for the amount of material used. Using a strong material such as steel or titanium further allows a user to reduce the overall materials used, including wood, because significantly less steel is required to obtain the same structural strength as wood. For example, if the present invention were used in place of headers in a standard home wall containing two windows and a door, each of 36 inches, the total wood reduction would be 2029.5 cubic inches. In its place, only approximately 123 to 246 square inches of the structural webbing disclosed herein would be required. Overall reduction of wooden building materials is one element of Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Moreover, if the remainder of the space is filled with insulation, the total R-value of the wall increases substantially. For instance, if the remaining area were filled with fairly standard fiberglass batt, the R-value of the wall would increase 122% over a full soft wood header, and 342% over hard wood. If the remaining area were filled with a closed cell foam insulation, the R-value of the wall would increase 361% over soft wood and 815% over hard wood. Such significant increase in R-value leads to a considerable increase in thermal efficiency. It should be noted that while materials like steel and titanium are preferred, many of these advances could still be achieved by using wood in a structure consistent with this invention. While the wood would not be eliminated, using the disclosed structure rather than a full wooden header would still constitute a reduction of at least 67% to 83%. Due to the nature of the structure, the R-value increase would not change if wood was used in the disclosed configuration rather than steel, as the entirety of the invention is encircled by either air or insulation. Furthermore, the disclosed invention eliminates thermal shorts created by beams that span the entire space between an inside and outside wall.

[0050] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of structural webbing 100 when the application calls for a longer structure. Lead node 101 and lead member 103 still begin the structure as a user looks left to right, and terminal node 102 and terminal member 104 still end the structure. Disposed between the beginning and end of the structure, upper nodes 106, members 107, and lower nodes 105 alternate to form a zig-zag. As in FIG. 2, the structure could be inverted about a horizontal plane, flipping the structure vertically and allowing the lead and terminal nodes 101 and 102 to be upward facing. In a preferred embodiment, structural webbing 100 forms a straight line along at least one plane, generally from the lead node 101 to the terminal node 102. However, some applications may require structural webbing 100 to be in another configuration, such as circular for a bay window. Such applications would still allow structural webbing 100 to be configured as shown herein, but there would no longer be a straight line between the lead and terminal nodes 101 and 102. This would have no considerable impact on the function of structural webbing 100.

[0051] FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 show an exemplary embodiment of structural webbing 100 in situ. FIG. 7 shows lead node 101, lower node 105, and terminal node 102 coupled with a head piece 202. A head piece 202 is a standard structural element of doors and windows in buildings. FIG. 7 further shows upper nodes 106 coupled with a top plate 201 via fastener 110. In some embodiments, upper nodes 106 may be coupled with top plate 201 through other means, such as adhesive, weld, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, lead node 101 and terminal node 102 may be coupled with head piece 202 over trimmers 205, which are often coupled with king studs 204 and bottom plate 203. FIG. 7 further shows insulation gaps 111, where insulating materials such as fiberglass batt or closed cell foam could take the place of the normal wooden beam, increasing thermal efficiency as described above. FIG. 8 shows an application wherein the trimmers 205 are eliminated. Structural webbing 100 disclosed herein offers such structural improvement over regular headers that trimmers 205 may no longer be required, especially in light of the fact that the overall weight of the header will be reduced and is less of a contributing factor to the total load. This would also eliminate additional thermal shorts created by the trimmers and increase the volume of the insulation gaps, further increasing the thermal efficiency of the building. FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment wherein head piece 202 is eliminated altogether because structural webbing 100 lead node 101 and terminal node 102 are instead coupled directly with king stud 204. In such an embodiment, lower nodes 105 would not be coupled with any other structural element, instead providing structural support through the angular forces exerted on and by members 107. Upper nodes 106 would still be coupled with the top plate 201. In the exemplary embodiment disclosed in FIG. 9, insulation gaps 111 are even larger, and at least one additional thermal short is eliminated, further increasing the thermal efficiency of the structure.

[0052] FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13 are detailed views of the configurations described above. FIG. 10 shows terminal node 102 coupled with head piece 202 over trimmer 205. It also demonstrates that insulation gaps 111 are three dimensional, further illustrating that the invention disclosed herein consumes significantly less volume and eliminates the thermal short where the header would be. Furthermore, it demonstrates that insulation materials can completely encircle the present invention, further increasing the thermal efficiency of the structure. FIG. 11 shows an embodiment wherein terminal node 102 is fastened both to head piece 202 and king stud 204, disposed over trimmer 205. This is an exemplary embodiment, and in such an embodiment, trimmer 205 may be eliminated. The double fastening of terminal node 102 adds to the structural integrity of the webbing in situ, allowing the very strong king studs 204 to bear an additional portion of the overall load. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment wherein terminal node 102 is coupled with king stud 204 instead of head piece 202, allowing the angular forces of the structure to be borne largely by the king stud, further distributing the overall load over the expanse covered by the structure. FIG. 13 shows an embodiment wherein terminal node 102 is coupled with king stud 204, and wherein head piece 202 and trimmer 205 are altogether eliminated. This configuration further eliminates at least three thermal shorts, significantly reduces the overall material consumption of the structure, and further increases the volume of insulation gap 111, all of which have a significant impact on the thermal efficiency of the home.

[0053] FIG. 14 shows an exemplary application of structural webbing 100 wherein the structural webbing replaces entire portions of walls. In such an embodiment, lead node 101, terminal node 102, and lower node 105 may be coupled with bottom plate 203, and upper nodes 105 may be coupled with top plate 201. King studs 204 may be drastically reduced or nearly eliminated by replacing the studs with structural webbing 100. As before, certain applications may call for having the lead and terminal nodes 101 and 102 coupled with top plate 201, and that would not significantly alter the performance of structural webbing 100. In a configuration such as FIG. 14, the thermal shorts regularly created by standard beams would be nearly eliminated, allowing for very large insulation gaps 111, resulting in significantly higher R-values for the structure.

[0054] FIG. 15 depicts an alternative embodiment in which the structural webbing 100 includes at least one of a lower cord 112 or an upper cord 113. FIG. 15a is a front plan view, showing that the cords 112 and 113 lie across the bottom and top of the webbing, respectively, and are coupled with either the lower or upper nodes. FIG. 15b is an exploded isometric view showing that lower cord 112 would be coupled with lower nodes 105, and upper cord 113 would be coupled with upper nodes 106. FIG. 15c is an isometric view showing the cords 112 and 113 flush with the nodes and coupled thereto, forming a single structural element. The cords serve multiple purposes, among them are increasing the structural load capacity of the webbing, reducing in the amount of time required for installation, and ensuring that the installation meets code compliance criteria. Another purpose is a reduction in the number of fasteners required to install the structural webbing. Specifically, cords 112 and 113 may be installed on a segment of structural webbing 100 prior to the webbing being moved to the construction site. The cords 112 and 113 may be coupled with the webbing via weld, adhesive, fasteners, or other methods of coupling metals or other rigid materials. If cords 112 and 113 are welded to the structural webbing 100 prior to being moved to the construction site, both fastener count and installation time in the field are drastically reduced.

[0055] FIGS. 16a, 16b, 17a, and 17b depict a similar construction, in which cords 112 and 113 are coupled with the structural webbing 100. The cords 112 and 113 are suitable for structural webbing 100 segments of multiple lengths; note that here, there are six members 107 instead of the four depicted in FIG. 15. Additionally, cords 112 and 113 will work to assist the structural webbing as above whether the angle between the cords and the members is greater, as in FIG. 16, or lesser, as in FIG. 17.

[0056] While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as open terms (e.g., the term including should be interpreted as including but not limited to, the term having should be interpreted as having at least, the term includes should be interpreted as includes but is not limited to, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases at least one and one or more to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an (e.g., a and/or an should typically be interpreted to mean at least one or one or more); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of two recitations, without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, and C, etc. is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., a system having at least one of A, B, and C would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

[0057] While preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.