INTEGRATED SUPPORT SYSTEM AND CANOPY

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A trellis system comprising: a trellis structure that is installable to extend generally outwardly from a vertical supporting member; the trellis structure comprising: a back tube structure, the back tube structure including a tube of quadrilateral cross section having a front wall and a back wall; a plurality of outwardly extending tube structures that are oriented to extend outwardly relative to the back tube structure including at least one end tube; at least one internal mounting bracket by which the trellis structure is securable to the vertical supporting member; the at least one internal mounting bracket comprising 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; the back wall of the back tube structure presenting a flange opening therein sized to receive the flange portion therethrough; the front wall of the back tube structure presenting a front opening therein sized to receive the web portion therethrough; wherein the web portion passes outwardly through the front opening; the web portion further comprising 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.

2. The trellis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alignment structure further comprises a structurally separate spacer engageable to the web portion at a bottom edge thereof.

3. The trellis system as claimed in claim 1, the alignment structure further comprises a top plate portion secured to the web portion.

4. The trellis system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the front opening comprises a vertical slot portion sized to receive the web portion therethrough.

5. The trellis system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the front opening comprises a vertical slot portion sized to receive the web portion therethrough and a horizontal a slot portion sized and shaped to receive the top plate portion therethrough.

6. The trellis system as claimed in claim 1, at least one end mounting bracket engageable to the at least one end tube, the end mounting bracket comprising an integral structure having an end flange portion and end web portion.

7. The trellis system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the end mounting bracket further comprises a structurally separate spacer engageable to the web portion at a bottom edge thereof.

8. The trellis system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the end mounting bracket further comprises a top plate portion secured to the web portion.

9. A method of installing a trellis structure, the method comprising: securing at least one internal mounting bracket to a vertical supporting member by securing a flange portion of the internal mounting bracket to the vertical supporting member with fasteners such that a web portion of the internal mounting bracket extends outwardly, orthogonally from the flange portion and from the vertical supporting member; placing a back tube structure over the internal mounting bracket such that the web portion of the internal mounting bracket extends outwardly through a front opening in a front wall of the back tube structure that is sized and shaped to receive the web portion therethrough, and the flange portion of the internal mounting bracket is received in a flange opening in a back wall of the back tube structure that is sized to receive the flange portion therein; securing, with fasteners, at least one outwardly extending tube structure, extending outwardly relative to the back to structure and to the web portion of the internal mounting bracket; this will make the nuptial unit the invention placing an alignment structure that is coupled to or coupleable to the web portion within the at least one outwardly extending tube structure in close fitting relation to an interior of the outwardly extending structure.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising selecting the internal mounting bracket such that the alignment structure is a structurally separate spacer engageable to the web portion at a bottom edge thereof.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising selecting the internal mounting bracket such that the alignment structure comprises a top plate portion secured to the web portion.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising forming the front opening to be a vertical slot sized to receive the web portion therethrough.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising forming the front opening to be a vertical slot and to have a horizontal slot portion sized and shaped to receive the top plate portion therethrough.

14. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising securing at least one end mounting bracket to at least one end tube, the end mounting bracket comprising an integral structure having an end flange portion and end web portion.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising coupling a structurally separate spacer to the end web portion of the end mounting bracket at a bottom edge thereof.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising securing an end top plate portion to the end web portion of the end mounting bracket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a trellis system according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the trellis system of FIG. 1 as attached to a structure;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a partially phantom, partially exploded perspective view of a tube structure and mounting bracket according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a partially phantom view of the structures depicted in FIG. 3;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a plan view and elevational view of a spacer according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a partially phantom, partially exploded view of an end bracket and related tubular structures according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the end bracket as depicted in FIG. 6;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a trellis system according to another example embodiment of the invention;

[0034] FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the trellis system depicted in FIG. 8;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a partially exploded, partially phantom perspective view of a mounting bracket according to another example embodiment of the invention;

[0036] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 10;

[0037] FIG. 12 is a partially exploded, partially phantom perspective view of an end mounting bracket according to another embodiment of the invention; and

[0038] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the structure as depicted in FIG. 12.

[0039] While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, trellis system 20 generally includes frame structure 22 and mounting structures 24. In the depicted example embodiment, frame structure 22 generally includes front tube 26, back tube 28, end tubes 30 and center tubes 32. Frame structure 22 and mounting structures 24 may be formed from aluminum, aluminum alloys, steel or other materials of sufficient strength and rigidity to perform the structural requirements.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, back tube 28, when installed, abuts vertical structure 34. End tubes 30 extend outwardly away from back tube 28 generally in a horizontal orientation. Center tubes 32 also extend outwardly away from back tube 28 in a generally horizontal orientation and abut front tube 26 which is secured to end tubes 30 and center tubes 32 by fasteners, welding or other known techniques.

[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, mounting structures 24 generally include end mounting structures 36 and center mounting structures 38.

[0043] Referring particularly to FIGS. 3-5, according to an example embodiment, center mounting structure 38 generally includes mounting bracket 40 and spacer 42. In the depicted example embodiment, spacer 42 removably engages mounting bracket 40 at a lower edge 44 thereof. Mounting bracket 40 engages back tube 28 as well as center tube 32 in addition to spacer 42.

[0044] Mounting bracket 40 generally includes flange portion 46 and web portion 48. In the depicted embodiment, flange portion 46 is generally quadrilateral in structure and is pierced by flange mounting holes 50. Web portion 48 extends outwardly away from flange portion 46 generally at an approximately right angle. Flange portion 46 and web portion 48 may be formed as a unitary, for example extruded, structure. Web portion 48 in the depicted embodiment is a generally quadrilateral structure pierced by web fastener holes 52.

[0045] Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 5, spacer 42 is a generally rectangular structure having spacer body 54 defining web receiving slot 56 therein. In the depicted embodiment, web receiving slot 56 runs longitudinally along spacer body 54. Web receiving slot 56 is sized and shaped to receive web portion 48 at least partially therein. Spacer body 54 is sized and shaped to fit within center tubes 32 in close fitting apposition to the interior thereof. Web portion 48 is sized and shaped to be received within center tube 32 in close fitting apposition when combined with spacer 42 at a lower edge 44 thereof.

[0046] Mounting bracket 40 may be formed for example of metal such as steel or aluminum. In one example embodiment, spacer 42 is formed of a material similar to mounting bracket 40 though this should not be considered limiting.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, end mounting structure 36 is depicted. End mounting structure 36 generally includes end mounting bracket 58 and end spacer 60.

[0048] End mounting bracket 58 generally includes end flange portion 62 and end web portion 64. End mounting bracket 58 is a generally unitary structure and can be formed from an extrusion such as an appropriate sized angle. End mounting bracket 58 may also be a fabricated structure or may be formed from several pieces of material. End flange portion 62 is pierced by end flange mounting holes 66. End web portion 64 is pierced by end web fastener holes 68. End web portion 64, when combined with end spacer 60 is sized to fit in close fitting apposition within end tube 30. End spacer 60 is sized to fit within end tube 30 horizontally.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, another embodiment of trellis system 20 is depicted. According to this further example embodiment, trellis system 20, similar to the previously described embodiment includes frame structure 22 and mounting structures 24. Frame structure 22 is similar in that it includes front tube 26, back tube 28, end tubes 30 and center tubes 32. Similar to the earlier described embodiment, mounting structures 24 are secured to vertical structure 34 adjacent and/or within back tube 28.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 10-13, an example embodiment of top plate mounting bracket 70 and top plate end mounting bracket 72 are depicted.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, top plate mounting bracket 70 is a generally unitary structure including flange portion 74, web portion 76 and top plate portion 78. Flange portion 74 and web portion 76 are similar in structure to flange portion 46 and web portion 48 described above. Top plate portion 78 is coupled to the top of flange portion 74 and web portion 76 generally by welding. However, top plate portion 78 may be coupled to flange portion 74 and web portion 76 by other techniques. Flange portion 74 presents flange mounting holes 80 that are configured to receive fasteners (not depicted). Unlike web portion 48, web portion 76 is not pierced by holes in this depicted embodiment. In some applications web portion 76 may be pierced by holes to receive fasteners for coupling as well as top plate portion 78. Top plate portion 78 presents top mounting holes 82. In the depicted embodiment, center tube 32 includes corresponding center tube mounting holes 84.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, top plate end mounting brackets 72 generally includes end flange portion 86, end web portion 88 and end top plate portion 90. End web portion 88 and end top plate portion 90 are similar in structure to end web portion 64 and end flange portion 62 as discussed above. End top plate portion is secured to the top of end web portion and end flange portion for example, by welding, though other securing techniques may be utilized. End flange portion 86 presents end flange fastener holes 92. End top plate portion 90 presents end top mounting holes 94. End top plate portion 90 and end web portion 98 are sized to fit into end tube 30 in close fitting apposition. End tube 30 presents corresponding end tube mounting holes 96. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, back tube 28 is a generally rectangular structure in section and presents back wall 98, front wall 100, top wall 102 and bottom wall 104.

[0053] Back wall 98 presents and defines flange opening 106. Flange opening 106 is sized to receive flange portion 46 or flange portion 74 therethrough. Front wall 100 presents and defines web opening 108 therethrough. Web opening 108 is sized and shaped as a generally vertical slot to receive web portion 48 therethrough or, in the case of top plate mounting bracket 70, to receive web portion 76 and top plate portion 78 therethrough. In this case, web opening 108 includes vertical slot portion 114 and horizontal slot portion 116. This is depicted in FIG. 10.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 11, front wall 100 further presents and defines fastener openings 110 therethrough. Fastener openings 110 are positioned to align substantially with flange mounting holes 50 and flange mounting holes 80. Fastener openings 110 are sized and shaped to receive fasteners (not depicted) as well as a wrench such as a socket wrench (not depicted).

[0055] According to another embodiment of the invention, the invention further includes a method of installing a trellis structure 22. The method includes securing at least one internal mounting bracket 42 to a vertical structure 34 by securing flange portion 46 of mounting bracket 42 to vertical structure 34 with fasteners (not shown) such that web portion 48 of mounting bracket 40 extends outwardly, orthogonally from flange portion 46 and from vertical structure 34.

[0056] The method further includes placing back tube 28 over mounting bracket 40 such that web portion 48 extends outwardly through web opening 108 in front wall 100. Flange portion 46 is received in a flange opening 106 in back wall 98 of back tube 28. Flange opening 106 is sized to receive the flange portion 46 therein.

[0057] The method further includes securing at least one center tube 32 extending outwardly relative to back tube 28. Center tube 32 is coupled to web portion 48 by fasteners (not shown).

[0058] The method further includes placing spacer 42 or top plate portion 78 within center tube 32 in close fitting relation to the interior of center tube 32.

[0059] According to another example embodiment of the invention, mounting bracket 40 is utilized along with spacer 42.

[0060] According to an alternative example embodiment of the invention, mounting bracket 40 includes top plate portion 78 integrally formed therewith or secured thereto.

[0061] According to another example embodiment of the method, web receiving slot 56 is formed to be a vertical slot sized to receive web portion 48 therethrough.

[0062] According to another example embodiment of the method, web receiving slot 56 includes a vertical slot portion and a horizontal slot portion sized and shaped to receive top plate portion 78 therethrough.

[0063] According to another example embodiment, the method further includes securing at least one end mounting bracket 58 to at least one end tube 30 wherein end mounting bracket 58 includes an integral structure having end flange portion 86 and end web portion 88.

[0064] According to another example embodiment, the method further includes coupling structurally separate end spacer 62 to end web portion 88 at a bottom edge thereof.

[0065] According to another example embodiment, the method further includes securing end top plate portion 92 end web portion 88.

[0066] In operation, trellis system 20 is mounted to vertical structure 34 by securing mounting brackets 40 and end mounting brackets 58 spaced at appropriate distances. The same is true of top plate mounting bracket 70 and top plate end mounting bracket 72. Back tube 28 is then placed over mounting bracket 40 and mounting bracket 58 or top plate mounting bracket 70 and top plate end mounting bracket 72 so that flange opening 106 and web opening 108 align with the appropriate brackets. Once center mounting structures 38 are secured to the wall with fasteners (not depicted), center tubes 32 may be placed over center mounting structures 38 and secured thereto with fasteners. In doing so, mounting bracket 40 and spacer 42 are placed within center tubes 32. End tubes 30 are then placed over end mounting bracket 48 or top plate end mounting bracket 72 and secured thereto with fasteners. Front tube 26 is then secured to back tubes 28 and end tubes 30.

[0067] Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.

[0068] Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.

[0069] Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

[0070] Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

[0071] For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.