Patent ID: 7900417
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: E04C,E04F

Abstract:
1. A pergola formed from building members, comprising, (a) at least two horizontally disposed beams, each of said beams having a hollow axis and extending in a first direction, (b) at least four vertical posts disposed under opposite portions of said horizontally disposed beams, said vertical posts supporting said beams and extending in a second direction perpendicular to said beams, (c) means interconnecting said horizontally disposed beams and said vertical posts, (d) at least two generally horizontally disposed joists interconnecting said beams, positioned above said beams, and supported by said beams, each joist having an upper surface and a hollow axis and extending in a third direction perpendicular to said beams and said posts, (e) at least two horizontally disposed horizontal strips interconnecting said joists, positioned above said joists, and supported by said joists, said horizontal strips resting upon the upper surfaces of said joists and extending in said first direction, (f) at least two beam support stiffeners positioned inside the respective hollow axes of said respective beams, said support stiffeners extending for substantially the entire length of said beams so as to support and stiffen said beams throughout substantially their entire lengths, and (g) at least two joist support stiffeners positioned inside the respective hollow axes of said respective joists, said support stiffeners extending for substantially the entire length of said beams so as to support and stiffen said joists throughout substantially their entire lengths, (h) whereby said building members comprise a continuous, homogeneous, robust, and lightweight unit that may be extended indefinitely with additional posts, beams, and joists, (i) said pergola further containing: (j) at least two additional vertical posts, (k) at least two additional horizontally disposed beams connected to and supported by said two additional vertical posts in a manner similar to the connection of said four vertical posts and said two horizontally disposed beams, (l) at least one additional joist connected to and supported by said two additional horizontally disposed beams in a manner similar to the connection of said two joists and said two horizontally disposed beams, and (m) at least one additional horizontal strip connected to and supported by said one additional joist in a manner similar to the connection of said two joists and said two horizontally disposed strips, (n) said two additional posts being aligned with said four vertical posts and connecting said two additional horizontally disposed beams with bolts, (o) said two additional horizontally disposed beams and one additional joist having hollow axes and containing internal stiffeners similar to those of said two joists and said two horizontally disposed beams, (p) said additional joist connected to said two additional horizontal beams with a bracket, and (q) means for attaching said bracket to both said additional joist and said two additional horizontal beams, (r) whereby said additional building members will extend the length of said pergola, (s) said additional horizontal strip having a shroud on a first end thereof and a pin for interconnecting a second end of said additional horizontal strip with said additional joist, and (t) further including at least one pair of flanges on at least one end of said pin, (u) whereby said additional horizontal strip interconnects said additional joist with said additional horizontal strip, and said additional horizontal strip connects at least one of said generally horizontally disposed joists with said shroud and connects a second end on said additional joist with said pin.