Patent ID: 7877962

Claim:
A beam for an outdoor enclosure, said beam comprising: a first elongated member; a second elongated member; said first and second elongated members being adapted to be interfitted and interlocked together to provide the beam; and an interior track on at least one of said first elongated member or said second elongated member, said interior track defining a channel or opening for receiving and supporting at least one fastener for securing said first and second elongated members together; wherein each of said first and second elongated members comprise a first leg portion having a first projection that extends over a portion of said first leg portion to define a first receiving area, a second leg portion comprising a second projection that extends over less than a majority of a length of said second leg portion to define a second receiving area, and a joining portion for joining said first and second leg portions; said first receiving area and said second receiving area being adapted to receive a free end of said second leg portion and a free end of said first leg portion, respectively, to provide said interfitting or interlocking of each of said first leg portions to said second leg portions and said second leg portions to said first leg portions when said first and second elongated members are mated or coupled together to provide said beam; said first and second projections each comprising an angled projection surface and each of said free ends of said first and second leg portions comprising an angled end surface, said angled end surface of said first leg portion and second leg portion engaging said angled projection surfaces of said second projection and said first projection, respectfully, and causing said first and second leg portions of said first elongated member to move toward said second and first leg portions, respectively, of said second elongated member when said first and second elongated members are interfitted or interlocked together, said angled projection surfaces of said first and second projections cooperating with said angled end surfaces to facilitate preventing said first and second leg portions of said first elongated member from moving in opposite directions from said second and first leg portions, respectively, of said second elongated member.