Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/352,802, filed Jun. 21, 2016, entitled “Integrated Support System and Canopy,” which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention generally relates to a building trellis, canopy, outdoor dining cover, sunshade or overhang, and installation of the trellis, canopy, outdoor dining cover, sunshade or overhang system on a building. More particularly, the invention is directed to a trellis, canopy, outdoor dining cover, sunshade or overhang structure that is attached to the exterior of a building thus achieving an aesthetically pleasing appearance as well as protection from the elements. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The exterior of a building can be modified with an awning, trellis, canopy, outdoor dining cover, sunshade or overhang structure to provide the building with additional exterior coverage as well as protection for windows and persons passing into and out of the building. The awning, trellis, canopy, outdoor dining cover, sunshade or overhang can provide additional shade to the building and to the area underneath the awning, trellis, canopy, outdoor dining cover, sunshade or overhang, as well as protection from the elements such as rain, snow, ice and sun. Canvas awnings that roll-up are popularly used for store fronts and restaurants, to provide shade, protection from the rain, and can be aesthetically appealing to consumers. Generally, a winding device is used to roll/fold these canvas awnings into place against the building front when the awning is no longer desired. These canvas awnings are not designed to withstand severe weather; heavy snow, rain or wind, and are more a decorative shade-providing device with limited durability. Canvas awnings have a short life and need frequent replacement. 
         [0004]    However, some awnings are made from metal, such as aluminum, and are generally sturdier than the canvas awnings, and can also be folded away when no longer desired. These types of awnings generally slope away from the building such that any rain, snow or ice slides off the edge of the awning where it may fall onto visitors to the building or onto pavement where, in freezing weather conditions, ice may form creating a safety hazard. Further, these awnings generally have many parts, are time-consuming to install, and have aesthetically unpleasing exposed fasteners. 
         [0005]    Some buildings can have a trellis, canopy, outdoor dining cover, sunshade or overhang attached to the side of the building. Oftentimes the trellis, canopy, outdoor dining cover, sunshade or overhang is attached to the side of the building and the roof of the trellis/overhang is supported by columns or posts. Others are supported by a series of turnbuckles or other structure which extends from an outer edge of the trellis diagonally to the side of the building above the trellis which may also utilized to level the trellis structure. Generally, the trellis comprises a number of flat panels made of metal, plastic or wood. Also, a trellis/overhang constructed with posts supporting the roof of the trellis/overhang is subject to cars and people running into the posts. The posts may be especially prone to be damaged if the trellis/overhang is attached to a business, such as a bank with a drive-up window. Drivers of cars may misjudge distances and damage the posts. 
         [0006]    Aesthetically, the presence of diagonal turnbuckle supports may be aesthetically unpleasing or impractical in some applications. In some building designs the use of diagonal turnbuckle supports may be limited because the building has limited or non-existent points available for attachment of the upper end of the support. 
         [0007]    Trellises can be built on the basis of a cantilever. However, this requires a beam that extends into the building twice the distance of the external extension. In many building designs this is impractical. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, there is still room for improvement in a trellises, awnings or overhangs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    According to example embodiments of the invention, a trellis system includes a frame structure and mounting structures. The frame structure includes front tubes, back tubes, end tubes and center tubes. The mounting structures are securable to a vertical structure. 
         [0010]    The mounting structures include end mounting structures and center mounting structures. The center mounting structures may be of two types. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the center mounting structure includes a mounting bracket and a spacer sized to be received inside the center tubes. According to another example embodiment of the invention, an end mounting bracket includes an end spacer shaped and sized to be inserted into the end tubes in close fitting apposition to the interior of the end tubes. 
         [0011]    According to example embodiments of the invention, the back tube, if present, includes a number of openings defined therein. A flange opening is sized to receive a flange portion of the center mounting structure therein and therethrough. The flange opening is formed in the back wall of the back tube. A web opening is formed in the front wall of the back tube and includes a vertical slot shaped opening and, in some example embodiments, a horizontal slot as well. The vertical slot and horizontal slot, if present, are sized to receive a web portion of the center mounting structure therethrough. The web portion of the center mounting structure is then secured to center tubes and aligned with the center tubes via either a spacer or a top or bottom mounting plate portion depending upon the embodiment of the invention. The back tube also may include fastener openings through the front wall of the back tube. 
         [0012]    Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein eliminate the need for posts and/or angle braces being utilized in the hanging a trellis structure. 
         [0013]    Embodiments of the invention are directed to a trellis, canopy, outdoor dining cover, sunshade or overhang for mounting to the side of a building. The structure can be variously referred to as a trellis, an overhang, an awning, a canopy or a sunshade. Hereinafter, the term trellis will be used for the inventive structure. Generally, the trellis is made of metal, for example, aluminum; however other materials can be used in constructing the trellis. 
         [0014]    According to one example embodiment of the invention, the trellis is secured to the building with posts or angled supports and meets stringent requirements for snow loads and wind loads. The trellis does not require posts or columns to support the roof nor does the inventive trellis require turnbuckles and fasteners affixing the back tube affixing the trellis to the building to provide necessary support. 
         [0015]    According to one example embodiment of the invention, an internal drain channel receives and channels draining precipitation so that water that leaves the trellis exits at a desired location that does not affect visitors under the trellis and minimizes creation of a safety hazard. 
         [0016]    According to another example embodiment of the invention, the trellis system includes an internal drain system that drains water from precipitation that would otherwise accumulate on the infill panels and drain off the edge of the trellis to an undesired location. The internal drain system is effective while not presenting any unsightly external drain structure. The internal drain system of an embodiment of the invention redirects water from precipitation to a location away from visitors to the building, automobiles that may pass under the trellis and into areas where it is less likely to create a slip and fall hazard in freezing temperatures when the precipitation may freeze. 
         [0017]    According to an example embodiment of the invention, the infill panels are coupled to a tube member of the trellis. Infill panels may include open or closed panels or may include louvers. In different embodiments of the invention, the tube member to which the infill panels are coupled and toward which the infill panels drain is the front tube member, the back tube member or even a side tube member. The tube members may have a cross section that includes completely rectangular or square or round tubes or may be partial tubes having a generally C-shaped cross-section. The infill panels are coupled to the tube member via multiple drain slots or by a continuous drain slot by which precipitation drains from the lower edge of the infill member into an internal channel via a drip edge. The internal channel is then appropriately sloped to drain water from precipitation to a desired location where it drains from the tube member. 
         [0018]    According to an example embodiment of the invention, the channel, when viewed in cross-section, includes a short side, a tall side and a bottom. The channel may be formed from any substantially rigid water resistant material such as metals or polymers. The channel is conveniently formed as an extrusion having a cross section as described above or may be made from formed materials. Alternately, the drain channel can have a symmetrical cross section. 
         [0019]    According to an example embodiment of the invention, the tall side of the channel is located at the outside aspect of the tube member while the short side of the channel is located at the inside aspect of the tube member adjacent the wall which abuts the infill panel. According to an example embodiment of the invention, the short side of the channel displays a short side flange while the long side of the channel presents a long side flange. The short side flange and long side flange are adapted to couple to the inside the tube member to allow the channel to be secured with an appropriate down slope to direct the drainage of water to a desired location via which it can then drain from the tube member. The short side of the channel is advantageous in that it permits the sloping of the channel to drain appropriately while not obstructing the drainage slots and permitting water to pass from the downward edge of the infill panel through the drain slots into the channel so that it can drain away. 
         [0020]    According to different embodiments of the invention, the drain locations may be conveniently at outer corners of the trellis and outer ends of the front tube member so that water is directed away from for example a doorway entry. According to another embodiment of the invention, the drain locations may be made at wall side corners of the trellis system so that water that drains can be directed to a downspout. According to one example embodiment of the invention, the downspout is located internal to the building and joins the building drains from a flat roof that also drains internal to the building. According to another embodiment of the invention, the internal channel is coupled to the interior of the tube member by the application of an adhesive sealant. 
         [0021]    Accordingly, water from precipitation that comes to rest on top of the infill panels drains down the slope of the infill panel toward one or more drain openings which then allow passage to the interior of the tube member, water then flows into the drain slots into the channel to its lower end to a drain hole either at one end of the tube member or to a downspout or other passage to which the water drain can be directed with other precipitation to a desired draining location. Water can also be directed around a corner to an adjacent member having a drain outlet. 
         [0022]    A wall to which the mounting structures of the invention are attached generally will include internal wall supporting members and/or blocking to which the mounting structures are attachable by fasteners or other known techniques. The mounting structures also may be integrated into the wall structure and be within the scope of the invention. 
         [0023]    The above summary of the various representative embodiments of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the invention. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the invention. The figures in the detailed description that follows more particularly exemplify these embodiments. 
         [0024]    The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the subject matter hereof. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various embodiments. 
     
    
     
       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.

Technology Category: 0