A trellis system having a trellis structure that is installable to extend generally outwardly from a vertical supporting member. The trellis structure includes at least one internal mounting bracket by which the trellis structure is securable to the vertical supporting member. The internal mounting bracket has a unitary member having a flange portion and a web portion, the flange portion being securable to the vertical supportable member by fasteners and the web portion extending outwardly orthogonally from the flange portion and being couplable to one of the plurality of outwardly extending tube structures. A tube structure has a flange opening and a front opening sized to receive the web portion. The web portion passes through the front opening. The web portion has an alignment structure sized to be received within one of the outwardly extending tube structures in close fitting relation to an interior of the outwardly extending tube structure.

A window frame supports a central panel, with two adjacent pivoting side panels. The pivoting side panel includes two frames coupled by a hinge. Two side panel pivot actuators couple to the pivoting side panels. Movable awnings support photovoltaic modules to provide a power source. An awning open-close actuator couples to the movable awnings. Indoor and outdoor sensors send measurements to the controller that, based on the measurements, selectively operates the awning open-close actuator and the side panel pivot actuators.

The present disclosure discloses a sunshade technology for providing a sunshade. A key point of the technical solution is that the sunshade includes a framework and a sunshade body arranged on the framework; the sunshade body includes a large sunshade body provided with an opening in a top, and a small sunshade body coaxially arranged at the top of the large sunshade body; each of the large sunshade body and the small sunshade body includes rod pieces and a sun shield; the large sunshade body and the small sunshade body are detachably connected by several I-shaped members; the I-shaped members are located between the rod pieces of the large sunshade body and the rod pieces of the small sunshade body; and two ends of the I-shaped members are fixedly connected to the rod pieces of the large sunshade body and the rod pieces of the small sunshade body through bolts.

An illumination system comprising a lighting module with a plurality of LEDs, a flexible optically transmissive sheet disposed in an energy-receiving relationship with the lighting module, and broad-area reflective surface configured to reflectively scatter light. The flexible optically transmissive sheet has a laminated structure with a generally rectangular shape and a thickness between 200 micrometers and 1 millimeter. The laminated structure comprises a first layer of an optically transmissive material, a second layer of an optically transmissive material, a first regular array of linear channels formed in the first layer extending parallel to one another between two edges of the flexible optically transmissive sheet, and a second regular array of linear channels formed in the second layer extending at an angle with respect to the first regular array of linear channels. The linear channels define side walls configured to reflect light using total internal reflection.

An innovative, low-density, highly-insulating modular panel for use in many applications and industries. The panel has a frame that may be preformed or bent and may be made of rigid or flexible material, and a panel covering comprising at least one pocket of thin, low-density shade fabric that has the capability of sufficiently stretching to surround the frame when the pocket is pulled onto it. The pocket may be then secured, along any previously open end where the frame was inserted, by various fastening devices. The panel covering pocket may have additional features added, as described herein. The panel is durable and cost-effective, and has good solar-control and insulating qualities. It is also a windbreak panel, a noise-reduction panel, an impact protection panel, a water-resistant panel, a fall protection panel, and a pollution-control panel. Two or more panels can be joined to create a structure-protecting panel assembly or system.

A locking member for a gate apparatus comprises a body mountable to a gripping array of a support, said body having a mating form mutually engageable with the gripping array, whereby axial motion of said body relative to said gripping array is inhibited. A member extends away from said body, said member defining a cross-tie mount for receiving a mating end of a cross-tie. The cross-tie mount has a cross-tie end retainer which is movable between a first position securing said cross-tie in said cross-tie mount, and a second position permitting release of said cross-tie from said cross-tie mount, whereby the cross-tie may be moved to function as a gate.

In a general aspect, a sunshade array includes a plurality of sunshade systems. Each sunshade system includes a frame system that is coupled to a building exterior. A photovoltaic panel is supported by the frame system. An electrical raceway is coupled to the plurality of sunshade systems. The electrical raceway contains an electrical coupling to an electrical system of the building for the photovoltaic panel contained in each sunshade system.

A connector apparatus has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion mounts to an upright that has knobby hand grip protrusions. The second portion provides a connection for a laterally extending cross-member. The first portion interacts with the knobby hand grip protrusions to have a combination of a first degree of freedom permitting motion in one direction, while inhibiting motion in a second degree of freedom. The second portion has a releasable connection to the cross-member, and when engaged, has a degree of freedom of motion about an axis of the second portion cross-wise to the axis of the upright. The second portion has a releasable, retained, pin connector with a quarter-turn lock to prevent accidental disengagement. The connection of the second portion is offset such that when two connectors are seated back-to-back their cross-tie connections stand in substantially the same horizontal plane relative to the ground.

Thermal energy management and cooling systems are provided. In various embodiments, passive systems are provided that do not require a flow of liquid or the provision of electrical energy to deliver the cooling effect. Panels and shade structures are disclosed that comprise various features including, for example, phase change materials that are operable to cool an area or volume beneath or proximal to the panel.

A modular outdoor shelter system is disclosed herein. The modular outdoor shelter system includes a first modular outdoor structure with a first plurality of corner support members disposed at respective corners of the first modular outdoor structure, a first plurality of roof beam members supported on the first plurality of corner support members, and a first roof structure supported on the first plurality of roof beam members; and a second modular outdoor structure with a second plurality of corner support members disposed at respective corners of the second modular outdoor structure, a second plurality of roof beam members supported on the second plurality of corner support members, and a second roof structure supported on the second plurality of roof beam members. The first modular outdoor structure is structurally configured to fit together with the second modular outdoor structure so as to form a single continuous outdoor structure.