Patent ID: 8640420

Claim:
A pergola system, comprising: a frame having a plurality of generally vertically-oriented, spaced-apart posts aligned in rows; a pair of spaced-apart, generally horizontally-oriented frame members attached to each row of posts, each pair of frame members being attached to opposing sides of the posts in a row; the frame members further including a frame structural member disposed within, the frame structural member including an I-beam running generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame members; a pair of spaced-apart, generally horizontally-oriented outer rails extending generally orthogonally across the frame members, the outer rails being attached to opposing sides of a post of each row; the outer rails and a plurality of rails extending generally orthogonally across the frame members, the rails and outer rails being attached to the frame members with a bracket proximate each opposing end of the rails and the outer rails; and the bracket including a pair of spaced-apart tabs and a pair of opposing flanges extending outwardly therefrom, the flanges bring configured for attachment to the frame members, the pair of tabs being configured for receiving and securing the rail or the outer rail, the pergola system being freestanding.