System for covering flat surfaces that is installed on support structures formed by support poles (2) maintained in position by a network of tie-rods (3), both the support poles and the tie-rods being fixed on the surface by means of suitable pins. Said system comprises a plurality of pairs of elongated support elements (6, 6′) having a lower portion positioned on such poles (2) and being joined together in raised position in proximity to their upper end, to form a plurality of pairs of slopes on which protection nets or protection sheets (7) are positioned, which in open position cover the area below the support structure and which in closed position are compact and amassed between adjacent poles (2) of the same row; the movement from the open position to the closed one and vice versa being obtained through the sliding of the sheet along the support elements by means of movement means.

System for covering flat surfaces that is installed on support structures formed by support poles (2) maintained in position by a network of tie-rods (3), both the support poles and the tie-rods being fixed on the surface by means of suitable pins. Said system comprises a plurality of pairs of elongated support elements (6, 6′) having a lower portion positioned on such poles (2) and being joined together in raised position in proximity to their upper end, to form a plurality of pairs of slopes on which protection nets or protection sheets (7) are positioned, which in open position cover the area below the support structure and which in closed position are compact and amassed between adjacent poles (2) of the same row; the movement from the open position to the closed one and vice versa being obtained through the sliding of the sheet along the support elements by means of movement means.

An expandable canopy tent frame includes two sets of four-bar linkage with overlapping and staggered central axial lines. The central axial hinge point and the side edge hinge point of the two linkage sets are aligned. The central axial hinge points have a lateral bar. The two ends of the lateral bar pass through the slide bushings on the side edge hinge points, and the slide bushings form the support with both sides of the lateral bar. The main structure has at least one fixed end and can be fixed on objects by utilizing that fixed end.

An expandable canopy tent frame includes two sets of four-bar linkage with overlapping and staggered central axial lines. The central axial hinge point and the side edge hinge point of the two linkage sets are aligned. The central axial hinge points have a lateral bar. The two ends of the lateral bar pass through the slide bushings on the side edge hinge points, and the slide bushings form the support with both sides of the lateral bar. The main structure has at least one fixed end and can be fixed on objects by utilizing that fixed end.

An expandable canopy tent frame includes two sets of four-bar linkage with overlapping and staggered central axial lines. The central axial hinge point and the side edge hinge point of the two linkage sets are aligned. The central axial hinge points have a lateral bar. The two ends of the lateral bar pass through the slide bushings on the side edge hinge points, and the slide bushings form the support with both sides of the lateral bar. The main structure has at least one fixed end and can be fixed on objects by utilizing that fixed end.

A pergola system and bracket is described, which includes a frame having a plurality of vertical spaced apart posts, and horizontal frame members each of which have an internal reinforcing rod passing through at least a portion of the posts/frame members. The internal reinforcing rods are removably secured to a corner connecting element which then connects the posts/frame members to each other making it easier to construct and provides increased stability to the structure upon completion.

A pergola system and bracket is described, which includes a frame having a plurality of vertical spaced apart posts, and horizontal frame members each of which have an internal reinforcing rod passing through at least a portion of the posts/frame members. The internal reinforcing rods are removably secured to a corner connecting element which then connects the posts/frame members to each other making it easier to construct and provides increased stability to the structure upon completion.

A selectively deployable awning assembly for shielding an area proximate to a penetration in a structure includes a plurality of ribs and a panel. The ribs are mutually coupled so that each rib extends arcuately from an intersection and so that the plurality of ribs is substantially half-bowl shaped. The panel is coupled to and extends between the ribs of the plurality of ribs. Each of a plurality of connectors is configured to be coupled to an external element of a structure above the penetration, such as a door, so that the plurality of connectors extends arcuately across and above an upper limit of the penetration. The plurality of connectors is positioned to selectively couple to a pair of end ribs to couple the plurality of ribs to the structure. The panel thus is configured to shield an area under the panel from the elements, such as rain, snow, and sunlight.

A selectively deployable awning assembly for shielding an area proximate to a penetration in a structure includes a plurality of ribs and a panel. The ribs are mutually coupled so that each rib extends arcuately from an intersection and so that the plurality of ribs is substantially half-bowl shaped. The panel is coupled to and extends between the ribs of the plurality of ribs. Each of a plurality of connectors is configured to be coupled to an external element of a structure above the penetration, such as a door, so that the plurality of connectors extends arcuately across and above an upper limit of the penetration. The plurality of connectors is positioned to selectively couple to a pair of end ribs to couple the plurality of ribs to the structure. The panel thus is configured to shield an area under the panel from the elements, such as rain, snow, and sunlight.

An awning system having miter connectors suitable for attaching to portions of T-slot tubing members is disclosed. The awning system can be shipped by conventional shipping mechanisms, does not require welding, and does not require a flat-bed truck for transport. Also, the awning system can then be assembled and installed on-site, rather than being shipped in a fully pre-assembled state. The awning system uses proprietary tubing members and (in most embodiments) a miter connector to form an awning frame.