Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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OUTDOOR STRUCTURE DESIGN AND COMPONENTS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The disclosure relates generally to outdoor structures outdoor structure
components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various outdoor structures can include a number of posts supporting one or
more beams and a shade structure or roof on the top of the outdoor structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, an outdoor structure is provided. The outdoor structure
includes
a front beam; a back beam opposite the front beam; a first side beam; a second
side beam
opposite the first side beam; a plurality of posts, each post coupled to at
least one of the front
beam, the back beam, the first side beam, and the second side beam; and a
panel support
coupled to at least one of the plurality of posts.
In another aspect, an outdoor structure is provided. The outdoor structure
includes a front beam; a back beam opposite the front beam; a first side beam;
a second side
beam opposite the first side beam; a plurality of posts, each post coupled to
at least one of the
front beam, the back beam, the first side beam, and the second side beam; and
a rod support
coupled to at least one of the plurality of posts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features and advantages of the present disclosures will be more fully
disclosed in, or rendered obvious by the following detailed descriptions of
example
embodiments. The detailed descriptions of the example embodiments are to be
considered
together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like
parts and further
wherein:
FIG. 1A depicts an outdoor structure, in accordance with aspects disclosed
herein;
FIGS. 1B-1E depict a panel support, bolts 184, locking pieces, and a portion
of
a post having an external slot, in accordance with aspects disclosed herein;
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FIG. 1F depicts an outdoor structure with the panel support of FIGS. 1B-1E
coupled to a post, in accordance with aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 2A depicts an outdoor structure with a panel support coupled to a post,
and
a panel for coupling to the outdoor structure, in accordance with aspects
disclosed herein;
FIG. 2B depicts the outdoor structure of FIG. 2A with the panel coupled
between two posts via one or more panel supports and two support covers
coupled to the panel,
in accordance with aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 2C depicts a close up view of a portion of the outdoor structure and
panel
of FIG. 2B; in accordance with aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 2D depicts a close up view of a portion of the outdoor structure and
panel
of FIG. 2C with the support cover positioned over and/or coupled to the panel
support; in
accordance with aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 2E depicts the outdoor structure and panel of FIG. 2B with the support
covers positioned over and/or coupled to the respective panel supports; in
accordance with
.. aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 3A depicts an outdoor structure with a panel support coupled to a post,
and
a panel for coupling to the outdoor structure, in accordance with aspects
disclosed herein;
FIG. 3B depicts the outdoor structure of FIG. 3A with the panel coupled to one
post via a panel support and two support covers coupled to the panel, in
accordance with aspects
disclosed herein;
FIG. 3C depicts a close up view of a portion of the outdoor structure and
panel
of FIG. 3B; in accordance with aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 3D depicts the outdoor structure of FIG. 3A with the panel coupled to two
posts via panel supports and two support covers coupled to the panel, in
accordance with
aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 3E depicts a close up view of a portion of the outdoor structure and
panel
of FIG. 3C with the support cover positioned over and/or coupled to the panel
support; in
accordance with aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 3F depicts the outdoor structure and panel of FIG. 2D with the support
covers positioned over and/or coupled to the respective panel supports; in
accordance with
aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 4A depicts an outdoor structure with a panel support coupled to a post,
and
a panel for coupling to the outdoor structure, in accordance with aspects
disclosed herein;
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FIG. 4B depicts a close up view of a portion of the panel of FIG. 4A coupled
to
a post of the outdoor structure of FIG. 4A, in accordance with aspects
disclosed herein;
FIG. 4C depicts a close up view of a portion of the outdoor structure and
panel
of FIG. 4B with a support cover positioned over and/or coupled to the panel
support; in
accordance with aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 4D depicts the outdoor structure and panel of FIG. 4A with the support
covers positioned over and/or coupled to the respective panel supports; in
accordance with
aspects disclosed herein;
FIGS. 5A and 5B depict a portion of an outdoor structure and a rod support for
coupling to the outdoor structure, two locking pieces, and a spacer, in
accordance with aspects
disclosed herein;
FIG. 5C depicts the rod support of FIGS. 5A and 5B positioned on a post of the
outdoor structure; in accordance with aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 5D depicts the rod support of FIG. 5C being secured to the post with a
tightening tool, in accordance with aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 5E depicts the rod support of FIG. 5D secured to the post, in accordance
with aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 6A depicts an outdoor structure with a rod holder coupled to a post and a
rod for coupling to the outdoor structure, in accordance with aspects
disclosed herein;
FIG. 6B depicts the outdoor structure of FIG. 6A with the rod coupled between
two posts, in accordance with aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 6C depicts the rod of FIG. 6A coupled to one post via a rod holder, with
a
spacer positioned above the rod holder, in accordance with aspects disclosed
herein;
FIG. 6D depicts the rod of FIG. 6C with a support cover positioned over the
rod
holder, in accordance with aspects disclosed herein;
FIG. 6E depicts the outdoor structure and rod of FIG. 6A with the rod coupled
between two posts and a support cover positioned over a rod holder, in
accordance with aspects
hereof;
FIGS. 7A and 7B depict a panel support and a support cover coupled to the
panel support, in accordance with aspects hereof;
FIG. 8A depicts a top portion of a post and a corbel for coupling to the post,
in
accordance with aspects hereof
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FIGS. 8B and 8C depict the corbel coupled to the top portion of the post, in
accordance with aspects hereof
FIG. 8D depicts the corbel coupled to the top portion of the post of FIGS. 8B
and 8C with a cover for coupling to at least the post, in accordance with
aspects hereof; and
FIG. 8E and 8F depict the cover of FIG. 8D secured or coupled to at least the
post, in accordance with aspects hereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The description of the preferred embodiments is intended to be read in
connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of
the entire
written description of these disclosures. In this description, relative terms
such as "horizontal,"
"vertical," "up," "down," "top," "bottom," as well as derivatives thereof
(e.g., "horizontally,"
"downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the
orientation as then
described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative
terms are for
convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a
particular orientation.
Terms including "inwardly" versus "outwardly," "longitudinal" versus "lateral"
and the like
are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of
elongation, or an axis or
center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling,
and the like, such
as "connected" and "interconnected," refer to a relationship wherein
structures are secured or
attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening
structures, as well as
both moveable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly
described otherwise, and
includes terms such as "directly" coupled, secured, etc. The term "operatively
coupled" is such
an attachment, coupling, or connection that allows the pertinent structures to
operate as
intended by virtue of that relationship. Terms concerning communications, such
as
"commutatively coupled" and "in communication with," refer to a relationship
wherein
structures, such as devices, are operable to communicate with each other over
one or more
wired or wireless communication channels.
Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1A shows an example outdoor structure 102 in
accordance with some embodiments. Outdoor structure 102 may be a pergola or
cabana, for
example, that allows for the enjoyment of an outdoor space. Outdoor structure
102 may be
manufactured out of metal (e.g., aluminum), wood, plastic, plastic composite,
or any other
suitable material or combination of materials, in certain aspects. The outdoor
structure 102 can
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include a plurality of posts 104 and a plurality of beams 106, in various
aspects. For example,
as can be seen in FIG. 1A, the outdoor structure 102 can include a front beam
106, a back beam
106 opposite the front beam 106, a first side beam 106, and a second side beam
106 opposite
the first side beam 106. In addition, the plurality of posts 104 can be
coupled to one or more
of the front beam 106, the back beam 106, the first side beam 106, and the
second side beam
106. For example, a first post 104 can be coupled to the front and first side
beams 106. A
second post 104 can be coupled to the back and first side beams 106. A third
post 105 can be
coupled to the back and second side beams 106. Further, a fourth post 104 can
be coupled to
the front and second side beams 106.
Each of the plurality of posts 104 can include a respective base portion 105.
In
addition, a cover 119 may connect each post 104 to one or more of the beams
106. Further,
each post can include an external slot 180. The external slot 180 may be
covered by slot plates
181 and 183, and/or may allow for the attachment of a panel support 182 to
hold one or more
panels, as depicted in FIGS. 1B-1E.
For example, FIG. 1B illustrates, in part, a panel support 182 that includes a
plurality of openings 186, each opening 186 configured to accept a bolt 184.
Panel support
182 further includes a plurality of windows 187 that allow for at least
partial insertion of a
beam of a panel. Further, panel support 182 also includes a plurality of first
support levels 188
and corresponding second support levels 189. Each first support level 188
includes a lip 197,
and each second support level 189 includes a lip 198. Each first support level
188 and
corresponding second support level 189 allow for a beam of a panel to rest
thereon, e.g., as
depicted in FIG. 2C discussed below. In aspects, the lips 197, 198 may secure
the panel beams,
thereby preventing the beams, and thus the panel, from falling off to a side.
In at least some
examples, the first support levels 188 and corresponding second support levels
189 are located
at the bottom of a window 187 (e.g., the first support level 188 and
corresponding second
support level 189 are flush with the bottom of the corresponding window 187).
Further, panel
support 182 may include a bottom support level 191 that, in some examples, may
be flush with
the bottom of a bottom window 193 of the plurality of windows 187. Bottom
support level
191 may allow for a bottom beam of a panel to rest thereon, in aspects.
In certain aspects, bolts 184 may secure panel support 182 to post 104 by
engaging with locking pieces 175, which may be secured within external slot
180 of post 104.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, each bolt 184 may pass through an
opening 186 of panel
support 182 and into a receiving cavity of a locking piece 175. The receiving
cavity may, for
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example, include threads configured to receive corresponding threads of bolt
184, in aspects.
As illustrated in FIG. 1D, the locking pieces 175 may be positioned such as to
be inserted into
external slot 180. For example, the locking pieces 175 may be positioned
vertically along
external slot 180, and inserted into external slot 180. As such, a back
surface of panel support
182 may engage with a front surface of each of slot plate 181 and slot plate
183 defining slot
180.
Further, and with reference to FIG. 1E, to secure panel support 182 to post
104,
a tightening tool 197 (e.g., a ratchet, screwdriver, etc.) may be used to
tighten each bolt 184,
which causes the corresponding locking piece 175 to turn. When turned, a front
surface of
locking piece 175 may engage a back surface of each of slot plate 181 and slot
plate 183, in
aspects. In some examples, each locking piece 175 is turned until it is in a
horizontal position
(e.g., at or near 90 degrees to external slot 180). In one aspect, once the
bolt 184 is tightened,
the front surface of the locking piece 175 may press up against the back
surface of each of slot
plate 181 and slot plate 183, while the back surface of the panel support 182
presses up against
.. the front surface of each of slot plate 181 and slot plate 183 defining
slot 180 of the post 104,
which may secure the panel support 182 to a specific vertical position within
the slot 180 of
the post 104. In the same or alternative aspects, the locking pieces 175 may
engage with an
internal lip or surface within the slot 180 that can secure the panel support
182 to a specific
vertical position within the slot 180 of the post 104. FIG. 1F illustrates
panel support 182
secured to post 104 of outdoor structure 102.
FIG. 2A illustrates a panel 208 that includes a plurality of beams 213, and a
plurality of support covers 215 that each include openings 217 to allow
support cover 215 to
slide along the plurality of beams 213. In one or more aspects, one or more
panels 208 may
form a wall of outdoor structure 102. For example, a plurality of panels 208
may be stacked
between two posts 104 of outdoor structure 102 to at least partially close in
a side of outdoor
structure 102. Further, panels 208 may be modular such that one or more panels
208 may be
placed onto, or removed from, outdoor structure 102. For example, a panel 208
may be placed
onto outdoor structure 102 as described herein after outdoor structure 102 is
built. Similarly,
a panel 208 may be removed from outdoor structure 102 without dismantling
outdoor structure
102. FIG. 2B illustrates panel 208 secured to outdoor structure 102 by one or
more panel
supports 182. In the aspect depicted in FIG. 2B, the panel 208 is initially
and/or removably
secured to each of the two posts 104 by a corresponding panel support 182.
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FIG. 2C illustrates a closer view of the attachment of panel 208 to post 104
using a panel support 182. As can be seen in the aspect depicted in FIG. 2C,
the bottom beam
213a of the plurality of beams 213 rests on bottom support level 191, while
each of the
remaining plurality of beams 213 rests on a corresponding first support level.
For instance, as
can be seen in FIG. 2C the top beam 213b of the plurality of beams 213 rests
on the second
support level 189 (and the first support level 188. In some embodiments, a
portion of the
plurality of beams 213 can insert into the corresponding window 193 or 187 of
the panel
support 182. As also illustrated in FIG. 2C, each of the plurality of beams
213 proceeds through
a corresponding opening 217 of support cover 215. Further, in various aspects,
a slot plate 251
can be secured over the portion of external slot 180 (e.g., using a snap-fit)
above panel support
182, while a second slot plate 253 can be secured over the portion of external
slot 180 under
panel support 182.
In the aspect depicted in FIG. 2D, the support cover 215 is positioned to
cover
a panel support, e.g., the panel support 182 depicted in FIG. 2C. For example,
in one aspect,
after the beams 213 of panel 208 are installed on the levels of the panel
support, support cover
215 may be slid along the beams 213 and over panel support 182 (e.g., snapped
onto). FIG.
2E illustrates panel 208 secured to outdoor structure 102 with support cover
215 positioned
over and covering the panel support. While not viewable in FIG. 2E, both ends
of the panel
208 may include a support cover 215 that covers a panel support, in aspects.
In some aspects, support cover 215 can secured to panel support 182 using one
or more snap-fits. The snap-fit mechanisms may include, but are not limited
to, cantilever,
torsional, and annular snap-fits. For instance, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and
7B, panel support
182 may include a plurality of protruding tabs 702 that can be aligned and/or
received with
corresponding structures or snap-fit areas 710 of support cover 715. For
example, in various
aspects, each protruding tab 702 may be placed over a corresponding snap-fit
area 710 where,
when force is applied to support cover 715 in a direction towards panel
support 182, each of
the protruding tabs 702 on the panel support 182 "snap" into the corresponding
snap-fit area
710 of support cover 715. In FIG. 7A, the close up illustration on the right
side also reveals
the position of: an opening 186 of the panel support 182 (e.g., for a bolt or
other fastener); a
window 187; and lips 188 and 189 of the panel support 182. While the close up
illustration on
the right of FIG. 7A shows the interaction of the protruding tabs 702 with the
support cover
715 in the regions 700a, 700b, and 700c, at one end of the panel support 182
and support cover
715, it should be understood that, in aspects, protruding tabs 702 on the
opposing end of the
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panel support 182 and support cover 715 may similarly interact. For instance,
the region 700a
may resemble an interaction with a protruding tab 702 of the panel support 182
and the support
cover 715 on the opposing end, represented by region 700j, while the
interactions depicted in
regions 700b and 700c may resemble interactions of the protruding tabs 702 and
support cover
715 in the regions 700h and 700i, respectively. In the same or alternative
aspects, the
interactions between the protruding tabs 702 and support cover 715 depicted in
regions 700b
and 700c may resemble interactions of the protruding tabs 702 and support
cover 715 in one
or more of regions 700d, 700e, 700f, and 700g.
FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a panel 308 that includes a plurality of slats 333
positioned between two beams 331, and a plurality of support covers 315 that
each include
openings 319 and a slot 317 to allow support cover 315 to slide along the two
beams 331 and
the plurality of slats 333. Each of the plurality of slats 333 are inserted
into a corresponding
slot 321 of at least one beam 331. For example, a portion of the plurality of
slats 333 may
include one end that is inserted into a slot 321 of one beam 331 (e.g., an
upper beam) and
another end that is inserted into a slot 321 of another beam 331 (e.g., a
lower beam). Another
portion of the plurality of slats 333 may include one end that is inserted
into the slot 321 of one
beam, while the other end forms part of a slat support 323. Slat supports 323
may be inserted
into a corresponding slot 321 of each of two beams 331. As discussed further
below, the panel
308 may be coupled to the outdoor structure 102, e.g., between two posts 104
via panel supports
182.
One or more panels 308 may form a wall of outdoor structure 102. For example,
a plurality of panels 308 may be stacked between two posts 104 of outdoor
structure 102 to at
least partially close in a side of outdoor structure 102. Further, panels 308
may be modular
such that one or more panels 308 may be placed onto, or removed from, outdoor
structure 102.
For example, a panel 308 may be placed onto outdoor structure 102 as described
herein after
outdoor structure 102 is built. Similarly, a panel 308 may be removed from
outdoor structure
102 without dismantling outdoor structure 102. FIG. 3B illustrates panel 308
secured to
outdoor structure 102 by a panel support 182. Although only one panel support
182 is
illustrated, panel 308 may be secured to each of two posts 104 by a
corresponding panel support
182.
FIG. 3C illustrates a closer view of the attachment of panel 308 to post 104
using a panel support 182. As illustrated, the bottom beam 331 rests on bottom
support level
191 and inserts, at least partially, into bottom window 193. The top beam 331
rests on a
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corresponding first support level (not viewable in this figure) and second
support level 189. In
some instances, the beam 331 can be inserted, at least partially, into a
corresponding window
187. Further, slat support 323 may be positioned within a gap that is formed
between the first
support levels 188 and corresponding second support levels 189 of panel
support 182 to provide
.. additional integrity to the panel 308.
As also illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3C, each of the beams 331 proceed through
a corresponding opening 319 of support cover 315. Openings 319 and slot 317
allow support
cover 315 to slide along panel 308. FIG. 3D illustrates panel 308 attached to
two posts 104
using, for each post 104, a panel support 182 (although only one panel support
is illustrated
based on the view of FIG. 3D).
FIG. 3E illustrates support cover 315 positioned over and covering a panel
support, e.g., the panel support 182 of FIG. 3D. For example, after the beams
331 of panel 308
are rested on the levels of panel support 182, support cover 315 may be slid
along panel 308
until it covers and comes into contact with panel support 182, and is flush
with slot plates 181
and 183. Further, a first slot plate 351 is secured over the portion of
external slot 180 (e.g.,
using a snap-fit) above panel support 182, while a second slot plate 353 is
secured over the
portion of external slot 180 under panel support 182. FIG. 3F illustrates
panel 308 secured to
outdoor structure 102 with support cover 315 positioned over and covering a
panel support,
e.g., panel support 182 of FIG. 3D.
FIG. 4A illustrates a panel 408 that includes a solid slat 433 positioned
between
two beams 431, and a plurality of support covers 415 that each include
openings 419 and a slot
417 to allow support cover 415 to slide along the two beams 431 and the solid
slat 433. The
solid slat 433 is inserted into a corresponding slot 421 of each of the two
beams 431. For
example, solid slat 433 may include one end that is inserted into a slot 421
of one beam 431
and another end that is inserted into a slot 421 of another beam 431. In
addition, the solid slat
433 can optionally be inserted into the gap between the first and second
support levels of a
panel support, e.g., the first and second support levels 188, 189 of panel
support 182, as
depicted in FIG. 1B, for example.
One or more panels 408 may form a wall of outdoor structure 102, e.g., by
being
coupled to one or more posts 104 via respective panel supports 182. For
example, a plurality
of panels 408 may be stacked between two posts 104 of outdoor structure 102 to
at least
partially close in a side of outdoor structure 102. Further, panels 408 may be
modular such
that one or more panels 308 may be installed onto, or removed from, outdoor
structure 102.
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For example, a panel 408 may be installed onto outdoor structure 102 as
described herein after
outdoor structure 102 is built. Similarly, a panel 408 may be removed from
outdoor structure
102 without dismantling outdoor structure 102.
FIG. 4B illustrates a view of the attachment of panel 408 to post 104 using a
panel support 182. As illustrated, the bottom beam 431 rests on bottom support
level 191. A
portion of the bottom beam 431 can be inserted into bottom window 193. The top
beam 431
rests on a corresponding first support level (not seen in the view shown in
FIG. 4B) and second
support level 189 of a top window 187. A portion of top beam 431 can be
inserted into a
corresponding window 187. Further, end 423 of solid slat 433 may be positioned
within the
gap 199 that is formed between the first support levels and corresponding
second support levels
189 of panel support 182.
As also illustrated in FIG. 4B (and in FIG. 4A), each of the beams 431 proceed
through a corresponding opening 419 of support cover 415. Openings 419 and
slot 417 allow
support cover 415 to slide along panel 408.
FIG. 4C illustrates support cover 415 positioned over and covering a panel
support, e.g., the panel support 182 of FIG. 4B. For example, after the beams
431 of panel 408
are supported on the levels of panel support 182, support cover 415 may be
slid along panel
408 until it covers and comes into contact with panel support 182, and is
flush with slot plates
181 and 183. Further, a first slot plate 451 is secured over the portion of
external slot 180 (e.g.,
using a snap-fit) above panel support 182, while a second slot plate 453 is
secured over the
portion of external slot 180 under panel support 182. FIG. 4D illustrates
panel 408 secured to
outdoor structure 102 with support cover 415 positioned over and covering the
panel support.
FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate a rod support 504 that can be attached to post 104 to
hold
a rod, such as a curtain rod. To attach rod support 504 to post 104, a
plurality of bolts 184 may
be positioned through corresponding openings 505 of rod support 504, and
further into
corresponding cavities of locking pieces 175. Rod support 504 includes a
support level 511
that allows for a rod (e.g., rod end) to rest. In some aspects, a spacer 506
may be positioned
between rod support 504 and beam 106, to provide a defined space between beam
106 and rod
support 504. The spacer 506 may be held in place due to a friction fit between
beam 106 and
one or more protrusions 572 of rod support 504, in certain aspects.
As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the locking pieces 175 may be positioned such as to
be inserted into external slot 180 of post 104. For example, the locking
pieces 175 may be
positioned vertically along external slot 180, and inserted into external slot
180. As illustrated
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in FIG. 5C, a back surface of rod support 504 may engage with a front surface
of each of slot
plate 181 and slot plate 183 defining slot 180.
Further, and with reference to FIG. 5D, to secure rod support 504 to post 104,
a
tightening tool 197 (e.g., a ratchet, screw driver, etc.) may be used to
tighten each bolt 184,
which causes the corresponding locking piece 175 to turn. When turned, a front
surface of
locking piece 175 may engage a back surface of each of slot plate 181 and slot
plate 183. In
some examples, each locking piece 175 is turned until it is in a horizontal
position (e.g., at or
near 90 degrees to external slot 180). FIG. 5E illustrates rod support 504
secured to post 104,
and with spacer 506 positioned between beam 106 and rod support 504.
FIG. 6A illustrates outdoor structure 102 with a rod support 504 secured to a
post 104. Further, rod 602 may be supported, on either end, by a support level
of rod support
504, e.g., support level 511 of rod support 504 depicted in FIG. 5A. Rod 602
further includes
a plurality of rod holder covers 604 which include an opening allowing them to
slide along rod
602. When rod 602 is rested on rod supports 504, the rod holder covers 604 may
be slid, on
either end, over rod supports 504. In some examples, a snap-fit mechanism as
described herein
secures rod support covers 604 to rod supports 504. FIG. 6B illustrates rod
602 secured to a
rod holder 504 on a post 104. As shown in FIG. 6B, rod 602 is secured at both
ends to a post
104 using a rod holder 504 prior to securing the rod support covers 604. In
this example aspect
of FIG. 6B, no spacer 506 is utilized.
In the example aspect of FIG. 6C, spacer 506 is positioned between rod support
504 and beam 506, with the rod 602 in position to be secured by the rod
support 504. Spacer
506 can be held in place due to friction with a bottom surface 611 of beam 106
and one or more
one or more protrusions 572 of rod support 504. FIGS. 6D and 6E illustrate rod
602 secured
to post 104 with rod support 504, as well as rod support cover 604 over and
covering rod
support 504. Further, spacer 506 is positioned between rod support 504 and
beam 106. In the
aspect depicted in FIGS. 6D and 6E, a cover 603 is provided to cover the
opening of the post
104.
FIG. 8A illustrates a corbel 802 that may be attached to a post 104. Corbel
802
includes a securing element 806 with a receiving slot 808, and a guiding
element 804 that
includes a first guiding slot 810 and a second guiding slot 812. As seen in
FIGS. 8A and 8B,
post 104 includes an external slot 867 that can be defined by first and second
slot plates 865A,
865B that extend toward one another from side plates 883A, 883B, respectively.
First and
second slot plates 865A, 865B correspond to slot plates 181 and 183 as
described herein. Post
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104 further includes first and second shoulders 869A, 869B, that also extend
toward one
another from side plates 883A, 883B, respectively.
To secure corbel 802 to post 104, first and second slot plates 865A, 865B of
post 104 are inserted into and through first guiding slot 810 and second
guiding slot 812,
respectively, of corbel 802. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, guiding
element 804 of
corbel 802 may be positioned between side plates 883A, 883B, where first
guiding slot 810
and second guiding slot 812 allow for the passage of first and second slot
plates 865A, 865B,
respectively. In some examples, a length of guiding element 804 extends from
side plate 883A
to side plate 883B. In some examples, a length of guiding element 804 is wider
than a width
of external slot 867. As corbel 802 is slid further down post 104, receiving
slot 808 of securing
element 806 engages with an upper edge, e.g., first and second shoulders 869A,
869B, of post
104. For example, FIG. 8C illustrates securing element 806 secured to post
104. Specifically,
first and second shoulders 869A, 869B of post 104 engage with receiving slot
808 of securing
element 806, to complete the securing of corbel 802 to post 104.
FIG. 8D illustrates a cover 119 that can be secured to post 104 using one or
more fasteners, such as bolts. For example, a bolt may be placed through an
opening 893 of
cover 119, and further into a receiving cavity 895. Receiving cavity 895 may
include threads
configured to receive corresponding threads of the bolt. In some examples, a
portion of cover
119 is positioned over a beam, e.g., beam 106 of FIG. 1A, such that the cover
119 is attached
to both the post 104 and the beam 106. FIGS. 8E and 8F illustrate cover 119 on
post 104. As
illustrated in FIG. 8E, while a bolt may be placed into each opening 893 of
cover 119 to secure
the cover 119 to the post 104, a bolt may be placed through each of the
openings 897 to secure
the cover 119 to one or more beams 106. FIG. 8F also depicts the cover 119
contacting the
post 104 and at least a portion of the corbel 802, e.g., the securing element
806.
Various aspects of the present disclosure are also be described in the
following
numbered clauses.
Clause 1. An outdoor structure, comprising: a front beam; a back beam opposite
the front beam; a first side beam; a second side beam opposite the first side
beam; a plurality
of posts, each post coupled to at least one of the front beam, the back beam,
the first side beam,
and the second side beam; and a panel support coupled to at least one of the
plurality of posts.
Clause 2. The outdoor structure of clause 1, comprising a panel coupled to the
panel support.
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Clause 3. The outdoor structure of clause 2, wherein the panel support
comprises a plurality of windows and corresponding support levels.
Clause 4. The outdoor structure of clause 3, wherein the panel comprises a
plurality of
Clause 5. The outdoor structure of clause 4, wherein the panel comprises a
plurality of slats coupled to at least one of the plurality of beams.
Clause 6. The outdoor structure of clause 4, wherein the panel comprises a
slat
forming a solid surface between the plurality of beams.
Clause 7. The outdoor structure of clause 4, wherein the panel comprises at
least one support cover configured to slide along the plurality of beams and
over the panel
support.
Clause 8. The outdoor structure of clause 7, wherein the at least one support
cover couples to the panel support with at least one snap-fit.
Clause 9. The outdoor structure of clause 1 wherein: the at least one of the
plurality of posts comprises an external slot defined by a first slot plate
and a second slot plate;
and the panel support is in contact with the first slot plate and the second
slot plate.
Clause 10. The outdoor structure of clause 9, comprising at least one locking
piece, wherein the locking piece is configured to rotate within the external
slot to couple the
panel support to the at least one of the plurality of posts.
Clause 11. An outdoor structure, comprising: a front beam; a back beam
opposite the front beam; a first side beam; a second side beam opposite the
first side beam; a
plurality of posts, each post coupled to at least one of the front beam, the
back beam, the first
side beam, and the second side beam; and a rod support coupled to at least one
of the plurality
of posts.
Clause 12. The outdoor structure of clause 11 comprising a rod coupled to the
rod support.
Clause 13. The outdoor structure of clause 11 wherein: the at least one of the
plurality of posts comprises an external slot defined by a first slot plate
and a second slot plate;
and the rod support is in contact with the first slot plate and the second
slot plate.
Clause 14. The outdoor structure of clause 13 comprising at least one locking
piece, wherein the locking piece is configured to rotate within the external
slot to couple the
rod support to the at least one of the plurality of posts.
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Clause 15. The outdoor structure of clause 11 comprising a spacing element
positioned between the rod support and one of the front beam, the back beam,
the first side
beam, and the second side beam.
Clause 16. The outdoor structure of clause 15, wherein the rod support
.. comprises a protrusion, and the spacing element is secured by a friction
fit between a bottom
surface of the one of the front beam, the back beam, the first side beam, and
the second side
beam and the protrusion.
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and
describing embodiments of these disclosures. Modifications and adaptations to
these
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made
without departing
from the scope or spirit of these disclosures.
