CA2556539A1 - Gazebos with integrated additional features - Google Patents
Gazebos with integrated additional features Download PDFInfo
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- CA2556539A1 CA2556539A1 CA002556539A CA2556539A CA2556539A1 CA 2556539 A1 CA2556539 A1 CA 2556539A1 CA 002556539 A CA002556539 A CA 002556539A CA 2556539 A CA2556539 A CA 2556539A CA 2556539 A1 CA2556539 A1 CA 2556539A1
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- Prior art keywords
- gazebo
- area
- support
- service
- roof structure
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- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 239000000779 smoke Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 238000009429 electrical wiring Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 208000018747 cerebellar ataxia with neuropathy and bilateral vestibular areflexia syndrome Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001556 precipitation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 2
- -1 refrigeration Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002985 plastic film Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H1/00—Buildings or groups of buildings for dwelling or office purposes; General layout, e.g. modular co-ordination or staggered storeys
- E04H1/12—Small buildings or other erections for limited occupation, erected in the open air or arranged in buildings, e.g. kiosks, waiting shelters for bus stops or for filling stations, roofs for railway platforms, watchmen's huts or dressing cubicles
- E04H1/1205—Small buildings erected in the open air
- E04H1/1222—Sales kiosks
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Roof Covering Using Slabs Or Stiff Sheets (AREA)
Abstract
A gazebo or pavilion has an integrated service bar joining two or more adjacent support panels and is configured with the server area of the service bar and the patron area of the service bar within the envelope of the shelter and the patron area is congruent with the optimal benefit area of the shelter.
The service bar integrated with the shelter structure improves the structural stability of the shelter in two axes. A lighting system can be added and supported by the roof structure. The lighting system can be powered by solar energy or conventional electrical wiring, and a fan unit can be incorporated with it. A separate barbeque island with a barbeque unit can also be attached and a smoke screen can be used to prevent smoke from the barbeque island from entering into the service area or the patron area.
The service bar integrated with the shelter structure improves the structural stability of the shelter in two axes. A lighting system can be added and supported by the roof structure. The lighting system can be powered by solar energy or conventional electrical wiring, and a fan unit can be incorporated with it. A separate barbeque island with a barbeque unit can also be attached and a smoke screen can be used to prevent smoke from the barbeque island from entering into the service area or the patron area.
Description
GAZEBOS WITH INTEGRATED ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Field of the Invention This invention is in the field of portable pavilions or gazebos, and more specifically, to portable pavilions or gazebos having integral service components as part of their structure.
Background of the Invention Conventional gazebos or pavilions are often used to provide shade and or shelter for outdoor functions. However, such structures are usually stand alone devices that do not incorporate additional features into their structures.
In addition to conventional gazebos or pavilions, it is not uncommon for designers and homeowners to build elaborate outdoor living areas that can include decks, built-in barbeque and bar structures and even structures that approximate a kitchen due to running water, refrigeration, and gas appliances run off of gas lines. While such structures greatly enhance an outdoor living experience, and can increase the value and enjoyment of homes, they are costly to install.
What is needed is a gazebo or pavilion structure integrating one or more service components, such as a service counter or bar or grill, to improve the structural integrity and optimize guest benefits from the gazebo or pavilion.
In addition, it would be desirable to add lighting without the necessity of running an outdoor electrical cord to the structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to a portable shelter, gazebo or pavilion having an integrated service bar joining two or more adjacent support panels. Such a structure is configured with the server area of the service bar and the patron area of the service bar within the envelope of the shelter and the patron area of the service bar is congruent with the optimal benefit area of the shelter.
Having the service bar integrated with the shelter structure improves the structural stability of the shelter along two axes.
In a first, separate group of aspects of the present invention, eight or more support panels are integrated into four or more support columns of a gazebo and the counter service unit is integrated between two adjacent support columns to provide increased structural stability.
In a second, separate group of aspects of the present invention, an integrated counter service unit includes the server area and the patron area within the gazebo envelope and some or all of the patron area is congruent with the optimal benefit area of the gazebo.
In a third, separate group of aspects of the present invention, one or more column counters can provide increased utility and integrated structural strength.
In other, separate aspects of the present invention, a portable shelter such as a gazebo or pavilion has a plurality of corner supports, each corner support having a top end and a bottom end and two or more legs connecting the top end and the bottom end, and a roof structure having a plurality of base corners, each base corner engaging the top end of one of the plurality of corner supports, the combination of the roof structure and the corner supports forming a gazebo envelope and defining an optimal benefit area within the gazebo envelope, and a service unit having a service area and a patron area, the service unit integrated between two adjacent corner supports, the service area and the patron area of the integrated service unit are within the gazebo envelope, and some or all of the patron area is congruent with the optimal benefit area.
In yet another, separate aspect of the present invention, a lighting unit supported by the roof structure is used to light up the service and patron areas of the gazebo. The lighting unit can be powered by solar energy or by an electrical connection at least partially concealed within the roof structure, and a ceiling fan can either be incorporated into the lighting unit or, alternatively, replace the lighting unit.
In a further, separate aspect of the present invention, a barbeque island is integrally attached to a gazebo having a service bar and the resulting structure is configure such that smoke does not enter within the covered gazebo. A smoke screen can be used to provide privacy and to block smoke.
Field of the Invention This invention is in the field of portable pavilions or gazebos, and more specifically, to portable pavilions or gazebos having integral service components as part of their structure.
Background of the Invention Conventional gazebos or pavilions are often used to provide shade and or shelter for outdoor functions. However, such structures are usually stand alone devices that do not incorporate additional features into their structures.
In addition to conventional gazebos or pavilions, it is not uncommon for designers and homeowners to build elaborate outdoor living areas that can include decks, built-in barbeque and bar structures and even structures that approximate a kitchen due to running water, refrigeration, and gas appliances run off of gas lines. While such structures greatly enhance an outdoor living experience, and can increase the value and enjoyment of homes, they are costly to install.
What is needed is a gazebo or pavilion structure integrating one or more service components, such as a service counter or bar or grill, to improve the structural integrity and optimize guest benefits from the gazebo or pavilion.
In addition, it would be desirable to add lighting without the necessity of running an outdoor electrical cord to the structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to a portable shelter, gazebo or pavilion having an integrated service bar joining two or more adjacent support panels. Such a structure is configured with the server area of the service bar and the patron area of the service bar within the envelope of the shelter and the patron area of the service bar is congruent with the optimal benefit area of the shelter.
Having the service bar integrated with the shelter structure improves the structural stability of the shelter along two axes.
In a first, separate group of aspects of the present invention, eight or more support panels are integrated into four or more support columns of a gazebo and the counter service unit is integrated between two adjacent support columns to provide increased structural stability.
In a second, separate group of aspects of the present invention, an integrated counter service unit includes the server area and the patron area within the gazebo envelope and some or all of the patron area is congruent with the optimal benefit area of the gazebo.
In a third, separate group of aspects of the present invention, one or more column counters can provide increased utility and integrated structural strength.
In other, separate aspects of the present invention, a portable shelter such as a gazebo or pavilion has a plurality of corner supports, each corner support having a top end and a bottom end and two or more legs connecting the top end and the bottom end, and a roof structure having a plurality of base corners, each base corner engaging the top end of one of the plurality of corner supports, the combination of the roof structure and the corner supports forming a gazebo envelope and defining an optimal benefit area within the gazebo envelope, and a service unit having a service area and a patron area, the service unit integrated between two adjacent corner supports, the service area and the patron area of the integrated service unit are within the gazebo envelope, and some or all of the patron area is congruent with the optimal benefit area.
In yet another, separate aspect of the present invention, a lighting unit supported by the roof structure is used to light up the service and patron areas of the gazebo. The lighting unit can be powered by solar energy or by an electrical connection at least partially concealed within the roof structure, and a ceiling fan can either be incorporated into the lighting unit or, alternatively, replace the lighting unit.
In a further, separate aspect of the present invention, a barbeque island is integrally attached to a gazebo having a service bar and the resulting structure is configure such that smoke does not enter within the covered gazebo. A smoke screen can be used to provide privacy and to block smoke.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved gazebo with additional features integrated into its structure.
This and further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art in connection with the drawings and the detailed description of the invention set forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a BARZEBOT"~ gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the BARZEBOTM gazebo of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3A is a rear elevation view of a BARZEBOTM gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 3B is a detail view of an alternate embodiment for surface attachments for a BARZEBOT"" gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a side view of a BARZEBOT"" gazebo according to the present invern~on.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a BARZEBOT"" gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a front view of a support panel according to the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a support column according to the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment BARZEBOT"" gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 9 is, a perspective view of the BARZEBOTM gazebo of Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of another alternate embodiment BARZEBOT""
gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of still another alternate embodiment BARZEBOT"~
gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 12 is a plan view of a further alternate embodiment BARZEBOT""
gazebo according to the present invention.
This and further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art in connection with the drawings and the detailed description of the invention set forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a BARZEBOT"~ gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the BARZEBOTM gazebo of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3A is a rear elevation view of a BARZEBOTM gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 3B is a detail view of an alternate embodiment for surface attachments for a BARZEBOT"" gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a side view of a BARZEBOT"" gazebo according to the present invern~on.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a BARZEBOT"" gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a front view of a support panel according to the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a support column according to the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment BARZEBOT"" gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 9 is, a perspective view of the BARZEBOTM gazebo of Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of another alternate embodiment BARZEBOT""
gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of still another alternate embodiment BARZEBOT"~
gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 12 is a plan view of a further alternate embodiment BARZEBOT""
gazebo according to the present invention.
Fig. 13 is a front elevation view of still another alternate embodiment BARZEBOTM gazebo according to the present invention with a solar powered lighting unit in place.
Fig. 14 is a top elevation view a combination of a BARZEBOT"' gazebo and a GRILLZEBOT"" barbeque island according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a gazebo or pavilion structure is provided with integrated additional features. Broadly speaking, the additional features can include a bar area with amenities, a solar lighting system and a separate grill add-on. The bar area with amenities is incorporated into the structure of the gazebo and is referred to hereinafter by its trademark BARZEBO
while the grill add-on is referred to by its trademark GRILLZEBO. Both the BARZEBO and GRILLZEBO gazebo structures are collapsible and can be sold and shipped in an unassembled state, much like certain office furniture that has become very popular in recent years. Thus, both the BARZEBO and GRILLZEBO
gazebos structures can be manufactured and sold for relatively inexpensive sums, far less than the thousands of dollars that would be required for custom or built-in units having similar features. In addition, because of their construction, units and features can be subject to add-ons or alterations. Thus, for example, it is possible to assemble a BARZEBO gazebo one year, and then add on a GRILLZEBO
component the next year. This not only lessens the initial financial impact, and thus broadens appeal, but also allows for customization and upgrades. Similarly, the solar lighting system can be included in a BARZEBO
gazebo when it is first assemble, or be subject to an add-on. All of this means that consumers now have a much more economical vehicle for creating diverse, useful and truly satisfying outdoor living areas at a fraction of the cost of custom designs, like built-in grilling islands.
The present invention will now be described in connection with several different preferred embodiments that illustrate various aspects of the inventive concepts described herein. Although the Figures illustrate BARZEBO and GRILLZEBO gazebo structures in their assembled states, as already noted, such units can be shipped and sold in an unassembled state, and later assembled by consumers or, if preferred, someone paid to perform that service (as is.
typical in . connection with certain modular office furniture that can be purchased today at 5 various retail outlets). Moreover, because the details of assembling such units, and fastening the various components together would be well within the skill of a person of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of the instant disclosure, the details of such assembly will not be provided herein.
In the Figures and the following more detailed description, numerals indicate various features of the invention, with like numerals referring to like features throughout both the drawings and the description. Although the Figures are described in greater detail below, the following is a glossary of the elements identified in the Figures:
1510 gazebo 12 support panel 12' support web 12" support web 12F feet 2013 service shelf 14 roof structure base corner 16 canopy 17 base corner 2518 service unit 18P patron area 18S server area 19 base corner apex vent 3021 base corner 22 canopy 23 overhang 23' extension distance 24 corner 24' corner 26 support column 28 support column 30 support panels 32 bar corner 34 barcorner 36 support column 38 support column 40 gazebo envelope 42 gazebo volume 44 optimal benefit area 46 distance 48 service side 50 area 52 service unit side 52 54 service unit side 54 56 service unit side 56 60 vent opening 62 apex vent structure 64 vent separation 65 counter 66 shelf 68 shelf 70 service side 72 service side 74 service side 76 service side 77 hook 77A fabric 78 lacing 79 hole 80 attachment point 82 service unit leg 82' service unit leg 83 service unit leg 83' service unit leg 84 length 85 length 86 length 87 length 88 lateral support truss 90 web element 92 bottom bar 94 support panel 96 first leg 98 second leg 100 bottom 102 top 104 lateral support 106 support web 108 support web 110 support panel 110' first leg 112 support panel 112' first leg 114 leg edge 116 angle 118 service shelf 120 service shelf 122 gazebo 124 support panel 124' support web 124" support web 126 support panel 126' support panel 128 corner 128' corner 130 corner 130' corner 132 gazebo envelope 134 roof structure 136 gazebo volume 138 optimal benefit area 140 service unit 140P patron area 140S server area 142 service unit side 144 attachment point 146 service unit leg 146' service unit leg 148 service unit leg 150 area 152 width 154 length 156 length 158 length 160 length 162 gazebo 164 support panel 164' support panel 166 support panel 166' support panel 200 solar lighting unit 201 solar powered collector 202 solar panel 203 battery 205 shaft 206 light base 207 canopy support pole 208 center shaft connection 209 bar 210 light conduit 211 light 214 switch cord 215 light on/off switch 222 second canopy support structure 223 bar 300 barbeque island 300S area 301 barbeque grill unit 302 lengthwise portion 365 counter In accordance with an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention, and referring now to Fig. 1, BARZEBOT"~ gazebo 10 includes 4 or more support panels such as support panel 12, a roof structure such as roof structure 14 covered by canopy 16, and a service unit such as service unit 18. In a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, roof structure 14 also includes apex vent 20 and overhang 23 with extension distance 23'. Apex vent 20 may be shielded with vent canopy 22 to prevent precipitation incursion.
Overhang extension distance 23' may be any suitable length.
Referring now to Fig. 2, in a plan view of BARZEBOTM gazebo 10, independent corners 24 and 24' each include two support panels 12 connected or joined to form support columns 26 and 28, respectively. Service unit 18 is connected or joined to support panels 30 in bar corners 32 and 34. Two or more support panels 30 may be connected or joined together to form service unit support columns 36 and 38 in corners 32 and 34, respectively. Within the horizontal plane of Fig. 2, service unit support columns 36 and 38 in corners and 34, respectively, and support columns 26 and 28 in corners 24 and 24', 5 respectively, form gazebo envelope 40. Gazebo envelope 40 extends vertically from the ground to roof structure 14, enclosing volume 42. Optimal benefit area 44 is a 3-dimensional space formed within envelope 40, and is generally equidistant from gazebo envelope 40. Distance 46 separating optimal benefit area 44 from gazebo envelope 40 is a function of the latitude at which the 10 BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 is located and the general climate of the location.
One of the benefits of BARZEBOT"~ gazebo 10 is shade from solar radiation and as the latitude of the location of BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 increases, distance 46 will increase.
Service unit 18 includes server area 18S and patron area 18P. Patron area 189 is adjacent service unit side 48. In BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 according to the present invention patron area 18P and optimal benefit area 44 have an area of congruence identified in Fig. 2 as area 50.
Server area 18S is enclosed by service unit side 52, service unit side 54, service unit side 56 and gazebo envelope 40. Having server area 18S within gazebo envelope 40 permits someone working in server area 18S to be shielded from solar radiation and precipitation by using a plastic sheet, a shield, a tarp or other suitable material such as server shield 60 extending from the ground to roof structure 14 along gazebo service side 58.
Referring now to Fig. 3, in a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, apex vent 20 is formed by vent opening 60 through canopy 16. Apex vent structure 62 is attached to roof structure 14 to provide support and shape to vent canopy 22, as well as vent separation 64.
Service unit 18 includes counter 65 and may also include one or more additional shelves such as shelves 66 and 68. Counter 65 and shelves 66 and 68 may be wood, metal, glass or any other suitable material, and they may be solid or they may be formed of any other suitable material such as metal mesh thus forming self-cleaning or self-drying shelves. Shelves 66 and 68 may be accessed from server area 18S through service unit side 52, service unit side 54, or service unit side 56 which are not closed. Service sides 70, 72, 74, 48, 52, 54, and 56 may be closed or shielded using any suitable material such as, but not limited to, wood, metal, or glass. In an especially preferred current embodiment of the present invention, service sides 70, 72, 74, 48, 52, 54, and 56 are covered using canvas or any other suitable material such as fabric 76 laced or tied to service unit 18 using lacing 78 tied through holes 79. In another embodiment of the present invention, service sides 70, 72, 74, 48, 52, 54, and 56 may be covered using canvas or any other suitable material such as fabric 76 laced or tied to service unit 18 using lacing 78 tied through hooks such as hooks 77. Hooks may be of any suitable shape and or size.
Referring now to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, service unit 18 is an integral structural element of BARZEBOT"~ gazebo 10. Service unit 18 supports service unit support columns 36 and 38 at bar corners 32 and 34, respectively. Support panels 30 are attached to service unit 18 at attachment points such as attachment point 80.
Service unit legs 82, 82', 83 and 83' extend from the ground to roof structure Integration of service unit 18 with service unit support columns 36 and 38 extends the lateral support along axis X at bar corners 32 and 34 from length 84 of a standard support panel 12 to length 86. Integration of service unit 18 with service unit support columns 36 and 38 extends the lateral support along axis Y at bar corners 32 and 34 from length 85 of a standard support panel 12 to length 87.
In another embodiment of the present invention, lateral support truss 88 may be connected or otherwise attached between adjacent support columns such as service unit support column 36 and support column 26. Lateral support truss 88 may include one or more truss web elements such as web element 90. Web elements may adopt any decorative shapes.
Support panel 12 may have feet such as feet 12F or it may include a bottom bar 92 as shown in Fig. 5.
Referring now to Fig 5, roof structure 14 is generally pyramidal with base corners 15, 17, 19, and 21 engaging service unit support column 36, support column 26, support column 28, and service unit support column 38, respectively.
In other embodiments of the present invention, base corners such as 15, 17, 19 and 21 may be supported by one, two or more support panels that may or may not be joined or otherwise connected to form support columns.
Roof structure 14 may or may not include an apex vent.
Referring now to Fig. 6, a support panel such as support panel 94 is formed by a first leg 96 and a second leg 98, each leg extends from bottom 100 to top 102. First leg 96 and a second leg 98 are generally parallel. One or more lateral supports 104 extend from and connect first leg 96 to second leg 98. One or more support web such as support webs 106 and 108 may also be secured between first leg 96 and second leg 98. Support webs such as support webs 106 and 108 may include decorative elements such as support web 12' shown on Fig. 4, support web 12" shown on Fig. 5, or support webs 124' or 124" shown on Fig. 9, or any other suitable configuration.
Referring now to Fig. 7, two or more support panels such as support panel 110 and support panel 112 may be joined or connected along leg edge 114 between support panel 110 first leg 110' and support panel 112 first leg 112'.
Angle 116 between support panel 110 and support panel 112 may be any suitable angle and is preferred to be between 90 and 130 degrees. In a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, angle 116 is 90 degrees. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, support panel 110 and support panel 112 may be fabricated to share a common leg.
One or more service shelves such as service shelf 118 may be secured or otherwise joined between support panel 110 and support panel 112. Service shelf 118 may connect to lateral supports such as lateral supports 104'and 104", or between support webs such as support web 106' and support web 106". Service shelves such as service shelf 13 shown in Fig. 2 and service shelf 120 shown in Fig. 11 illustrate how service shelves may be incorporated in different embodiments of the present disclosure.
Referring now to Fig. 8 and Fig 9, in another embodiment of the present invention, BARZEBOT"" gazebo 122 includes 2 support panels such as support panels 124 and 124' and two service support panels such as service support panels 126 and 126'. As disclosed above, within the horizontal plane of Fig.
8, BARZEBOTM gazebo envelope 132 formed by service unit support panels 126 and 126' in corners 128 and 128', respectively, and support panels 124 and 124' in corners 130 and 130', respectively. Gazebo envelope 132 extends vertically from the ground to roof structure 134, enclosing gazebo volume 136. Optimal benefit area 138 is a 3-dimensional space formed within gazebo envelope 136, and is generally equidistant from gazebo envelope 132.
Service unit 140 includes server area 140S and patron area 140P. Patron area 140P is adjacent service unit side 142. In BARZEBOT"~ gazebo 122 according to the present invention, patron area 140P and optimal benefit area have an area of congruence identified in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 as gazebo area 150.
Service unit 140 is an integral structural element of BARZEBOT"" gazebo 122. Service unit 140 supports service unit support panels 126 and 126' at bar corners 128 and 34, respectively. Support panels 126 and 126' are attached to service unit 140 at attachment points such as attachment point 144. Service unit legs 146, 146', and 148 extend from the ground to roof structure 134.
Integration of service unit 140 with service unit support panel 126' extends the lateral support along axis X at bar corner 128' from width 152 of a support panel leg to length 154. Integration of service unit 140 with service unit support panel 126 extends the lateral support along axis X at bar corner 128 from length 156 of a support panel such as support panel 126 to length 154. Integration of service unit 18 with service unit support panels 126 and 126' extends the lateral support along axis Y
at bar corners 128 and 128' from length 158 of a support panel such as support panel 126' to length 160.
Referring now to Fig. 10, in another embodiment of the present invention BARZEBOT"" gazebo 162 includes support panels 164, 164', 166 and 166' that are turned at an angle 170 from the X axis and the Y axis. In a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, angle 170 is 45 degrees, although other suitable angles or combinations of angles may be used. The width of support panels may be varied and with the orientation of the support panels, support panels such as support panel 166' may extend beyond gazebo envelope 172 as shown. Support panels such as support panel 164 may have any suitable width between and including width 174 to width 176.
Fig. 14 is a top elevation view a combination of a BARZEBOT"' gazebo and a GRILLZEBOT"" barbeque island according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a gazebo or pavilion structure is provided with integrated additional features. Broadly speaking, the additional features can include a bar area with amenities, a solar lighting system and a separate grill add-on. The bar area with amenities is incorporated into the structure of the gazebo and is referred to hereinafter by its trademark BARZEBO
while the grill add-on is referred to by its trademark GRILLZEBO. Both the BARZEBO and GRILLZEBO gazebo structures are collapsible and can be sold and shipped in an unassembled state, much like certain office furniture that has become very popular in recent years. Thus, both the BARZEBO and GRILLZEBO
gazebos structures can be manufactured and sold for relatively inexpensive sums, far less than the thousands of dollars that would be required for custom or built-in units having similar features. In addition, because of their construction, units and features can be subject to add-ons or alterations. Thus, for example, it is possible to assemble a BARZEBO gazebo one year, and then add on a GRILLZEBO
component the next year. This not only lessens the initial financial impact, and thus broadens appeal, but also allows for customization and upgrades. Similarly, the solar lighting system can be included in a BARZEBO
gazebo when it is first assemble, or be subject to an add-on. All of this means that consumers now have a much more economical vehicle for creating diverse, useful and truly satisfying outdoor living areas at a fraction of the cost of custom designs, like built-in grilling islands.
The present invention will now be described in connection with several different preferred embodiments that illustrate various aspects of the inventive concepts described herein. Although the Figures illustrate BARZEBO and GRILLZEBO gazebo structures in their assembled states, as already noted, such units can be shipped and sold in an unassembled state, and later assembled by consumers or, if preferred, someone paid to perform that service (as is.
typical in . connection with certain modular office furniture that can be purchased today at 5 various retail outlets). Moreover, because the details of assembling such units, and fastening the various components together would be well within the skill of a person of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of the instant disclosure, the details of such assembly will not be provided herein.
In the Figures and the following more detailed description, numerals indicate various features of the invention, with like numerals referring to like features throughout both the drawings and the description. Although the Figures are described in greater detail below, the following is a glossary of the elements identified in the Figures:
1510 gazebo 12 support panel 12' support web 12" support web 12F feet 2013 service shelf 14 roof structure base corner 16 canopy 17 base corner 2518 service unit 18P patron area 18S server area 19 base corner apex vent 3021 base corner 22 canopy 23 overhang 23' extension distance 24 corner 24' corner 26 support column 28 support column 30 support panels 32 bar corner 34 barcorner 36 support column 38 support column 40 gazebo envelope 42 gazebo volume 44 optimal benefit area 46 distance 48 service side 50 area 52 service unit side 52 54 service unit side 54 56 service unit side 56 60 vent opening 62 apex vent structure 64 vent separation 65 counter 66 shelf 68 shelf 70 service side 72 service side 74 service side 76 service side 77 hook 77A fabric 78 lacing 79 hole 80 attachment point 82 service unit leg 82' service unit leg 83 service unit leg 83' service unit leg 84 length 85 length 86 length 87 length 88 lateral support truss 90 web element 92 bottom bar 94 support panel 96 first leg 98 second leg 100 bottom 102 top 104 lateral support 106 support web 108 support web 110 support panel 110' first leg 112 support panel 112' first leg 114 leg edge 116 angle 118 service shelf 120 service shelf 122 gazebo 124 support panel 124' support web 124" support web 126 support panel 126' support panel 128 corner 128' corner 130 corner 130' corner 132 gazebo envelope 134 roof structure 136 gazebo volume 138 optimal benefit area 140 service unit 140P patron area 140S server area 142 service unit side 144 attachment point 146 service unit leg 146' service unit leg 148 service unit leg 150 area 152 width 154 length 156 length 158 length 160 length 162 gazebo 164 support panel 164' support panel 166 support panel 166' support panel 200 solar lighting unit 201 solar powered collector 202 solar panel 203 battery 205 shaft 206 light base 207 canopy support pole 208 center shaft connection 209 bar 210 light conduit 211 light 214 switch cord 215 light on/off switch 222 second canopy support structure 223 bar 300 barbeque island 300S area 301 barbeque grill unit 302 lengthwise portion 365 counter In accordance with an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention, and referring now to Fig. 1, BARZEBOT"~ gazebo 10 includes 4 or more support panels such as support panel 12, a roof structure such as roof structure 14 covered by canopy 16, and a service unit such as service unit 18. In a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, roof structure 14 also includes apex vent 20 and overhang 23 with extension distance 23'. Apex vent 20 may be shielded with vent canopy 22 to prevent precipitation incursion.
Overhang extension distance 23' may be any suitable length.
Referring now to Fig. 2, in a plan view of BARZEBOTM gazebo 10, independent corners 24 and 24' each include two support panels 12 connected or joined to form support columns 26 and 28, respectively. Service unit 18 is connected or joined to support panels 30 in bar corners 32 and 34. Two or more support panels 30 may be connected or joined together to form service unit support columns 36 and 38 in corners 32 and 34, respectively. Within the horizontal plane of Fig. 2, service unit support columns 36 and 38 in corners and 34, respectively, and support columns 26 and 28 in corners 24 and 24', 5 respectively, form gazebo envelope 40. Gazebo envelope 40 extends vertically from the ground to roof structure 14, enclosing volume 42. Optimal benefit area 44 is a 3-dimensional space formed within envelope 40, and is generally equidistant from gazebo envelope 40. Distance 46 separating optimal benefit area 44 from gazebo envelope 40 is a function of the latitude at which the 10 BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 is located and the general climate of the location.
One of the benefits of BARZEBOT"~ gazebo 10 is shade from solar radiation and as the latitude of the location of BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 increases, distance 46 will increase.
Service unit 18 includes server area 18S and patron area 18P. Patron area 189 is adjacent service unit side 48. In BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 according to the present invention patron area 18P and optimal benefit area 44 have an area of congruence identified in Fig. 2 as area 50.
Server area 18S is enclosed by service unit side 52, service unit side 54, service unit side 56 and gazebo envelope 40. Having server area 18S within gazebo envelope 40 permits someone working in server area 18S to be shielded from solar radiation and precipitation by using a plastic sheet, a shield, a tarp or other suitable material such as server shield 60 extending from the ground to roof structure 14 along gazebo service side 58.
Referring now to Fig. 3, in a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, apex vent 20 is formed by vent opening 60 through canopy 16. Apex vent structure 62 is attached to roof structure 14 to provide support and shape to vent canopy 22, as well as vent separation 64.
Service unit 18 includes counter 65 and may also include one or more additional shelves such as shelves 66 and 68. Counter 65 and shelves 66 and 68 may be wood, metal, glass or any other suitable material, and they may be solid or they may be formed of any other suitable material such as metal mesh thus forming self-cleaning or self-drying shelves. Shelves 66 and 68 may be accessed from server area 18S through service unit side 52, service unit side 54, or service unit side 56 which are not closed. Service sides 70, 72, 74, 48, 52, 54, and 56 may be closed or shielded using any suitable material such as, but not limited to, wood, metal, or glass. In an especially preferred current embodiment of the present invention, service sides 70, 72, 74, 48, 52, 54, and 56 are covered using canvas or any other suitable material such as fabric 76 laced or tied to service unit 18 using lacing 78 tied through holes 79. In another embodiment of the present invention, service sides 70, 72, 74, 48, 52, 54, and 56 may be covered using canvas or any other suitable material such as fabric 76 laced or tied to service unit 18 using lacing 78 tied through hooks such as hooks 77. Hooks may be of any suitable shape and or size.
Referring now to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, service unit 18 is an integral structural element of BARZEBOT"~ gazebo 10. Service unit 18 supports service unit support columns 36 and 38 at bar corners 32 and 34, respectively. Support panels 30 are attached to service unit 18 at attachment points such as attachment point 80.
Service unit legs 82, 82', 83 and 83' extend from the ground to roof structure Integration of service unit 18 with service unit support columns 36 and 38 extends the lateral support along axis X at bar corners 32 and 34 from length 84 of a standard support panel 12 to length 86. Integration of service unit 18 with service unit support columns 36 and 38 extends the lateral support along axis Y at bar corners 32 and 34 from length 85 of a standard support panel 12 to length 87.
In another embodiment of the present invention, lateral support truss 88 may be connected or otherwise attached between adjacent support columns such as service unit support column 36 and support column 26. Lateral support truss 88 may include one or more truss web elements such as web element 90. Web elements may adopt any decorative shapes.
Support panel 12 may have feet such as feet 12F or it may include a bottom bar 92 as shown in Fig. 5.
Referring now to Fig 5, roof structure 14 is generally pyramidal with base corners 15, 17, 19, and 21 engaging service unit support column 36, support column 26, support column 28, and service unit support column 38, respectively.
In other embodiments of the present invention, base corners such as 15, 17, 19 and 21 may be supported by one, two or more support panels that may or may not be joined or otherwise connected to form support columns.
Roof structure 14 may or may not include an apex vent.
Referring now to Fig. 6, a support panel such as support panel 94 is formed by a first leg 96 and a second leg 98, each leg extends from bottom 100 to top 102. First leg 96 and a second leg 98 are generally parallel. One or more lateral supports 104 extend from and connect first leg 96 to second leg 98. One or more support web such as support webs 106 and 108 may also be secured between first leg 96 and second leg 98. Support webs such as support webs 106 and 108 may include decorative elements such as support web 12' shown on Fig. 4, support web 12" shown on Fig. 5, or support webs 124' or 124" shown on Fig. 9, or any other suitable configuration.
Referring now to Fig. 7, two or more support panels such as support panel 110 and support panel 112 may be joined or connected along leg edge 114 between support panel 110 first leg 110' and support panel 112 first leg 112'.
Angle 116 between support panel 110 and support panel 112 may be any suitable angle and is preferred to be between 90 and 130 degrees. In a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, angle 116 is 90 degrees. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, support panel 110 and support panel 112 may be fabricated to share a common leg.
One or more service shelves such as service shelf 118 may be secured or otherwise joined between support panel 110 and support panel 112. Service shelf 118 may connect to lateral supports such as lateral supports 104'and 104", or between support webs such as support web 106' and support web 106". Service shelves such as service shelf 13 shown in Fig. 2 and service shelf 120 shown in Fig. 11 illustrate how service shelves may be incorporated in different embodiments of the present disclosure.
Referring now to Fig. 8 and Fig 9, in another embodiment of the present invention, BARZEBOT"" gazebo 122 includes 2 support panels such as support panels 124 and 124' and two service support panels such as service support panels 126 and 126'. As disclosed above, within the horizontal plane of Fig.
8, BARZEBOTM gazebo envelope 132 formed by service unit support panels 126 and 126' in corners 128 and 128', respectively, and support panels 124 and 124' in corners 130 and 130', respectively. Gazebo envelope 132 extends vertically from the ground to roof structure 134, enclosing gazebo volume 136. Optimal benefit area 138 is a 3-dimensional space formed within gazebo envelope 136, and is generally equidistant from gazebo envelope 132.
Service unit 140 includes server area 140S and patron area 140P. Patron area 140P is adjacent service unit side 142. In BARZEBOT"~ gazebo 122 according to the present invention, patron area 140P and optimal benefit area have an area of congruence identified in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 as gazebo area 150.
Service unit 140 is an integral structural element of BARZEBOT"" gazebo 122. Service unit 140 supports service unit support panels 126 and 126' at bar corners 128 and 34, respectively. Support panels 126 and 126' are attached to service unit 140 at attachment points such as attachment point 144. Service unit legs 146, 146', and 148 extend from the ground to roof structure 134.
Integration of service unit 140 with service unit support panel 126' extends the lateral support along axis X at bar corner 128' from width 152 of a support panel leg to length 154. Integration of service unit 140 with service unit support panel 126 extends the lateral support along axis X at bar corner 128 from length 156 of a support panel such as support panel 126 to length 154. Integration of service unit 18 with service unit support panels 126 and 126' extends the lateral support along axis Y
at bar corners 128 and 128' from length 158 of a support panel such as support panel 126' to length 160.
Referring now to Fig. 10, in another embodiment of the present invention BARZEBOT"" gazebo 162 includes support panels 164, 164', 166 and 166' that are turned at an angle 170 from the X axis and the Y axis. In a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, angle 170 is 45 degrees, although other suitable angles or combinations of angles may be used. The width of support panels may be varied and with the orientation of the support panels, support panels such as support panel 166' may extend beyond gazebo envelope 172 as shown. Support panels such as support panel 164 may have any suitable width between and including width 174 to width 176.
Referring now to Fig. 11, in still another embodiment of the present invention BARZEBOTM gazebo 180 includes compound support columns 182, 184, 186, and 188. Each compound support column includes 3 or more support panels such as compound support column 182 including support panels 182', 182", and 182". Each support panel may be configured as discussed above.
Referring now to Fig. 12, in another further embodiment of the present invention BARZEBOTM gazebo 190 is octagonal with 8 support columns such as support column 192. In this embodiment gazebo envelope 194 is defined by the support columns and the roof structure. Optimal benefit area 196 is again equidistant from gazebo envelope 194 and separation distance 198 is determined by the latitude and the environment. The congruence of optimal benefit area and patron area 199 defines gazebo area 200.
Referring now to Fig. 13, Fig. 13 depicts a BARZEBO gazebo 10 with a solar lighting unit 200. Solar lighting unit 200 has a solar powered collector that sits atop shaft 205. Solar powered collector 201 has solar panels 202 and one or more rechargeable batteries 203 (e.g., 4 AA rechargeable batteries).
Wiring runs between batteries 203 and light base 206 within shaft 205. A
switch cord 214 with a light on/off switch 215 and multiple lights 211 hanging from light conduits 211 extend downwardly from light base 206. The lights 211 are preferably low energy consuming, high output lights, such as LED lights with high quality reflectors. The specific details of lighting unit 200, including solar powered collector 201, and the arrangement of one or more lights 211, are not crucial to the present invention and their details are well within the scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art.
Shaft 205 is held in place and supported in the center of gazebo 10 by four canopy support poles 207 that support shaft 205 at center shaft connection 208.
Each of the support poles 207 are affixed to support panels extending upward from the four corners of gazebo 10 (shown as 26, 28, 36 and 38 in Fig. 2).
Canopy support poles 207 are also supported by a square framework connected at the top of the support panels; Fig. 13 shows a portion of a bar 209 that forms one of the four legs of the square framework, and the square framework can be formed in many different ways. (One way to form the framework is to connect four bars between the four support panels.) Canopy support poles 207 can extend outward beyond the four corners of gazebo 10, as is shown in Fig. 13, although they can also be flush with the corners if no additional overhang of the canopy is desired.
5 Fig. 13 depicts a BARZEBO gazebo 10 which is designed to include a second canopy 22 atop canopy 16 as is shown in Fig. 1, although canopy 22 is not shown. Second canopy 22 is supported by a second canopy support structure 222 which includes four bars 223, each of which is also attached to one of canopy support poles 207, and which are attached to shaft 205 at upper center shaft 10 connection 228.
BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 shown in Fig. 13 does not include any decorative features or designs for shielding solar powered collector 201 from view, although it is clearly contemplated that an additional design which accomplishes this purpose might be desired. To accomplish this purpose, the design needs to block solar 15 powered collector 201 from view of a person standing outside of BARZEBOTM
gazebo 10 without in any way interfering with the ability of solar collector 201 to collect solar energy. The specific design of any such construction is not within the scope of the present invention.
As should be apparent from the above description of solar lighting unit 200, a BARZEBOT"" 'gazebo fitted with such a device does not require any external power feed to function. This avoids the unsightly and problematic necessity of running a power cord from an electrical outlet to the gazebo to power lights, and eliminates the need to worry about having to constantly recharge batteries of battery powered lights, or replaced used batteries. This in turn makes use of such a BARZEBOT"" gazebo much more enjoyable, and also opens up the possibility of its use at night.
It is contemplated that BARZEBOT"~ gazebos can be shipped and sold with solar lighting units as part of the standard design, or that solar lighting units can be included as an add on feature to a more basic BARZEBOT"" gazebo that initially comes without such a unit. In addition, it is also contemplated that a base model might include a solar powered collector 201 designed for storing enough electricity to run the units lights for a preselected period of time (e.g., 3 hours) while additional units might simply be plugged in as an add on feature to increase the amount of time the solar lighting unit can be used at one time.
It is also contemplated that non-solar lighting units can be included as part of the standard design of BARZEBOT"~ gazebos or as an add on feature, although such an option is not as preferred as a solar lighting unit. If a non-solar lighting unit is used, it could still be supported by shaft 205, and have a light base positioned in the same fashion as light base 206, and then have electrical wiring run up shaft 205, extend through one or more canopy support poles 207, and then run down through hollow tubes of one or more support panels extending upward from the four corners of gazebo 10, so that the ultimate external contact for an electrical plug would be at ground level of gazebo 10. If such external wiring is included, it is also contemplated that a fan unit (not shown) can be supported by shaft 205, probably so that the fan unit and a lighting fixture are incorporated into the same structure, such as is common in light/fan combinations currently sold for home use. However, before a fan unit can be included in gazebo 10, shaft 205 ri~ust be sufficiently supported so that it can withstand the weight of such a unit, as well as the stress caused by operation of the fan unit. Also, if solar energy sources are robust enough to provide the electricity needed to power a fan unit, a fan could be included in a gazebo 10 that is powered solely by solar energy which would be collected by a solar power collector 201 atop the gazebo.
Referring now to Fig. 14, Fig. 14 depicts a BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 with a GRILLZEBOT"~ barbeque island 300 unit attached to it as an add on. The island shown in Fig. 14 has an L shape, because this shape is especially preferred, but island unit 300 need not have such a shape. Barbeque island 300 is joined to BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 at support column 38 at bar corner 34 and along service side 72 by a suitable fastening mechanism. Barbeque island 300 contains a barbeque grill unit 301 that is built into and held in place in it. As was the case with BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10, island unit 300 has a counter 365 and can contain a number of different shelves (not shown).
As shown in Fig. 14, an additional area 300S is formed between server area 18S and lengthwise portion 302 of island unit 300. Area 300S has no covering over it, nor is there any covering over barbeque grill unit 301, and it is desirable that area 300S be sufficiently large to easily allow a person using barbeque grill unit 301 to move within it. Because these areas are not covered, smoke from barbeque grill unit 301 should not enter into area 18S (absent wind) where it might rise to soil canopy 16. An optional smoke screen canvass (not shown) can be positioned between the intersection of 300S and 18S to prevent smoke from getting inside of BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 when wind is present. The smoke screen canvass need not extend from canopy 16 to the ground; it can simply extend three feet or so from the edge of canopy 16, enough so that it keeps smoke from entering gazebo 10. The smoke screen canvass can also be used as a privacy screen between patron area 18P and area 300S, and it can be set up on a track along bar 223 so that it can easily be pulled open or closed in the same fashion as a curtain. And, similar to curtains, such a smoke screen could be periodically cleaned or changed.
When a GRILLZEBOT"" barbeque island 300 is affixed to a BARZEBOT"~
gazebo 10, the result is a truly diverse outdoor living area, with many different entertaining features that could not heretofore be obtained without a very costly customized construction of a barbeque island and bar structure. However, because such a construction can now be done by modular units, such a structure can be constructed for a fraction of the cost of customized units, and it can even be built over time to thereby initial capital outlays.
While the invention has been described herein with reference to several especially preferred embodiments, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Additional embodiments thereof will be obvious to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this detailed description, especially to meet specific requirements or conditions.
Further modifications are also possible in alternative embodiments without departing from the inventive concept.
Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that still further changes and modifications in the actual concepts described herein can readily be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed inventions as defined by the following claims.
Referring now to Fig. 12, in another further embodiment of the present invention BARZEBOTM gazebo 190 is octagonal with 8 support columns such as support column 192. In this embodiment gazebo envelope 194 is defined by the support columns and the roof structure. Optimal benefit area 196 is again equidistant from gazebo envelope 194 and separation distance 198 is determined by the latitude and the environment. The congruence of optimal benefit area and patron area 199 defines gazebo area 200.
Referring now to Fig. 13, Fig. 13 depicts a BARZEBO gazebo 10 with a solar lighting unit 200. Solar lighting unit 200 has a solar powered collector that sits atop shaft 205. Solar powered collector 201 has solar panels 202 and one or more rechargeable batteries 203 (e.g., 4 AA rechargeable batteries).
Wiring runs between batteries 203 and light base 206 within shaft 205. A
switch cord 214 with a light on/off switch 215 and multiple lights 211 hanging from light conduits 211 extend downwardly from light base 206. The lights 211 are preferably low energy consuming, high output lights, such as LED lights with high quality reflectors. The specific details of lighting unit 200, including solar powered collector 201, and the arrangement of one or more lights 211, are not crucial to the present invention and their details are well within the scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art.
Shaft 205 is held in place and supported in the center of gazebo 10 by four canopy support poles 207 that support shaft 205 at center shaft connection 208.
Each of the support poles 207 are affixed to support panels extending upward from the four corners of gazebo 10 (shown as 26, 28, 36 and 38 in Fig. 2).
Canopy support poles 207 are also supported by a square framework connected at the top of the support panels; Fig. 13 shows a portion of a bar 209 that forms one of the four legs of the square framework, and the square framework can be formed in many different ways. (One way to form the framework is to connect four bars between the four support panels.) Canopy support poles 207 can extend outward beyond the four corners of gazebo 10, as is shown in Fig. 13, although they can also be flush with the corners if no additional overhang of the canopy is desired.
5 Fig. 13 depicts a BARZEBO gazebo 10 which is designed to include a second canopy 22 atop canopy 16 as is shown in Fig. 1, although canopy 22 is not shown. Second canopy 22 is supported by a second canopy support structure 222 which includes four bars 223, each of which is also attached to one of canopy support poles 207, and which are attached to shaft 205 at upper center shaft 10 connection 228.
BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 shown in Fig. 13 does not include any decorative features or designs for shielding solar powered collector 201 from view, although it is clearly contemplated that an additional design which accomplishes this purpose might be desired. To accomplish this purpose, the design needs to block solar 15 powered collector 201 from view of a person standing outside of BARZEBOTM
gazebo 10 without in any way interfering with the ability of solar collector 201 to collect solar energy. The specific design of any such construction is not within the scope of the present invention.
As should be apparent from the above description of solar lighting unit 200, a BARZEBOT"" 'gazebo fitted with such a device does not require any external power feed to function. This avoids the unsightly and problematic necessity of running a power cord from an electrical outlet to the gazebo to power lights, and eliminates the need to worry about having to constantly recharge batteries of battery powered lights, or replaced used batteries. This in turn makes use of such a BARZEBOT"" gazebo much more enjoyable, and also opens up the possibility of its use at night.
It is contemplated that BARZEBOT"~ gazebos can be shipped and sold with solar lighting units as part of the standard design, or that solar lighting units can be included as an add on feature to a more basic BARZEBOT"" gazebo that initially comes without such a unit. In addition, it is also contemplated that a base model might include a solar powered collector 201 designed for storing enough electricity to run the units lights for a preselected period of time (e.g., 3 hours) while additional units might simply be plugged in as an add on feature to increase the amount of time the solar lighting unit can be used at one time.
It is also contemplated that non-solar lighting units can be included as part of the standard design of BARZEBOT"~ gazebos or as an add on feature, although such an option is not as preferred as a solar lighting unit. If a non-solar lighting unit is used, it could still be supported by shaft 205, and have a light base positioned in the same fashion as light base 206, and then have electrical wiring run up shaft 205, extend through one or more canopy support poles 207, and then run down through hollow tubes of one or more support panels extending upward from the four corners of gazebo 10, so that the ultimate external contact for an electrical plug would be at ground level of gazebo 10. If such external wiring is included, it is also contemplated that a fan unit (not shown) can be supported by shaft 205, probably so that the fan unit and a lighting fixture are incorporated into the same structure, such as is common in light/fan combinations currently sold for home use. However, before a fan unit can be included in gazebo 10, shaft 205 ri~ust be sufficiently supported so that it can withstand the weight of such a unit, as well as the stress caused by operation of the fan unit. Also, if solar energy sources are robust enough to provide the electricity needed to power a fan unit, a fan could be included in a gazebo 10 that is powered solely by solar energy which would be collected by a solar power collector 201 atop the gazebo.
Referring now to Fig. 14, Fig. 14 depicts a BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 with a GRILLZEBOT"~ barbeque island 300 unit attached to it as an add on. The island shown in Fig. 14 has an L shape, because this shape is especially preferred, but island unit 300 need not have such a shape. Barbeque island 300 is joined to BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 at support column 38 at bar corner 34 and along service side 72 by a suitable fastening mechanism. Barbeque island 300 contains a barbeque grill unit 301 that is built into and held in place in it. As was the case with BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10, island unit 300 has a counter 365 and can contain a number of different shelves (not shown).
As shown in Fig. 14, an additional area 300S is formed between server area 18S and lengthwise portion 302 of island unit 300. Area 300S has no covering over it, nor is there any covering over barbeque grill unit 301, and it is desirable that area 300S be sufficiently large to easily allow a person using barbeque grill unit 301 to move within it. Because these areas are not covered, smoke from barbeque grill unit 301 should not enter into area 18S (absent wind) where it might rise to soil canopy 16. An optional smoke screen canvass (not shown) can be positioned between the intersection of 300S and 18S to prevent smoke from getting inside of BARZEBOT"" gazebo 10 when wind is present. The smoke screen canvass need not extend from canopy 16 to the ground; it can simply extend three feet or so from the edge of canopy 16, enough so that it keeps smoke from entering gazebo 10. The smoke screen canvass can also be used as a privacy screen between patron area 18P and area 300S, and it can be set up on a track along bar 223 so that it can easily be pulled open or closed in the same fashion as a curtain. And, similar to curtains, such a smoke screen could be periodically cleaned or changed.
When a GRILLZEBOT"" barbeque island 300 is affixed to a BARZEBOT"~
gazebo 10, the result is a truly diverse outdoor living area, with many different entertaining features that could not heretofore be obtained without a very costly customized construction of a barbeque island and bar structure. However, because such a construction can now be done by modular units, such a structure can be constructed for a fraction of the cost of customized units, and it can even be built over time to thereby initial capital outlays.
While the invention has been described herein with reference to several especially preferred embodiments, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Additional embodiments thereof will be obvious to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this detailed description, especially to meet specific requirements or conditions.
Further modifications are also possible in alternative embodiments without departing from the inventive concept.
Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that still further changes and modifications in the actual concepts described herein can readily be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed inventions as defined by the following claims.
Claims (17)
1. A gazebo comprising:
a plurality of corner supports, each corner support having a top end and a bottom end and two or more legs connecting the top end and the bottom end;
a roof structure having a plurality of base corners, each base corner engaging the top end of one of the plurality of corner supports, the combination of the roof structure and the corner supports forming a gazebo envelope and defining an optimal benefit area within the gazebo envelope;
a service unit having a service area and a patron area, the service unit integrated between two adjacent corner supports, the service area and the patron area of the integrated service unit are within the gazebo envelope, and some or all of the patron area is congruent with the optimal benefit area.
a plurality of corner supports, each corner support having a top end and a bottom end and two or more legs connecting the top end and the bottom end;
a roof structure having a plurality of base corners, each base corner engaging the top end of one of the plurality of corner supports, the combination of the roof structure and the corner supports forming a gazebo envelope and defining an optimal benefit area within the gazebo envelope;
a service unit having a service area and a patron area, the service unit integrated between two adjacent corner supports, the service area and the patron area of the integrated service unit are within the gazebo envelope, and some or all of the patron area is congruent with the optimal benefit area.
2. The gazebo of claim 1, wherein the plurality of corner supports further comprises:
one or more support panels, each support panel having a top end and a bottom end and two generally parallel legs connecting the top end to the bottom end, and one or more support webs connected between the two generally parallel legs, and one or more lateral supports connected between the two generally parallel legs.
one or more support panels, each support panel having a top end and a bottom end and two generally parallel legs connecting the top end to the bottom end, and one or more support webs connected between the two generally parallel legs, and one or more lateral supports connected between the two generally parallel legs.
3. The gazebo of claim 1, wherein the plurality of corner supports further comprises:
a plurality of support columns.
a plurality of support columns.
4. The gazebo of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of support columns further comprise:
two or more support panels, the two or more support panels connected along adjacent leg edges.
two or more support panels, the two or more support panels connected along adjacent leg edges.
5. The gazebo of claim 1, wherein the roof structure further comprises:
an apex vent.
an apex vent.
6. The gazebo of claim 5, wherein the apex vent further comprises:
an apex opening in the roof structure;
a second tier vent structure secured within the apex opening; and a second tier roof covering secured to the second tier roof structure.
an apex opening in the roof structure;
a second tier vent structure secured within the apex opening; and a second tier roof covering secured to the second tier roof structure.
7. The gazebo of claim 1, wherein the service unit further comprises:
a generally U-shaped counter between the service area and the patron area, the service area the service area bounded on three sides by the generally U-shaped counter.
a generally U-shaped counter between the service area and the patron area, the service area the service area bounded on three sides by the generally U-shaped counter.
8. The gazebo of claim 7, wherein the service unit further comprises:
one or more shelves.
one or more shelves.
9. The gazebo of claim 7, wherein the service unit further comprises :
one or more self-draining shelves.
one or more self-draining shelves.
10. The gazebo of claim 3, further comprising:
one or more service shelves, each of the one or more service shelves secured to a support column.
one or more service shelves, each of the one or more service shelves secured to a support column.
11. The gazebo of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of support trusses, each support truss connected between adjacent corner supports.
a plurality of support trusses, each support truss connected between adjacent corner supports.
12. The gazebo of claim 1, further comprising:
a lighting unit for providing light to the service area and the patron area that is supported by the roof structure.
a lighting unit for providing light to the service area and the patron area that is supported by the roof structure.
13. The gazebo of claim 12, further comprising:
a barbeque island adjacent to the service area that is affixed to at least one of the plurality of base corners and extends outwardly away from the gazebo.
a barbeque island adjacent to the service area that is affixed to at least one of the plurality of base corners and extends outwardly away from the gazebo.
14. The gazebo of claim 13, further comprising:
a smoke screen to prevent smoke from the barbeque island from entering into the service area or the patron area.
a smoke screen to prevent smoke from the barbeque island from entering into the service area or the patron area.
15. The gazebo of claim 12, wherein the lighting unit is powered by solar power.
16. The gazebo of claim 12, wherein the lighting unit is powered by an electrical connection that is at least partially concealed within the roof structure.
17. The gazebo of claim 17, further comprising a fan unit supported by the roof structure.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10/789,728 | 2004-02-26 | ||
| US10/789,728 US20050188623A1 (en) | 2004-02-26 | 2004-02-26 | Barzebo |
| PCT/US2005/005912 WO2005083202A1 (en) | 2004-02-26 | 2005-02-25 | Gazebos with integrated additional features |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2556539A1 true CA2556539A1 (en) | 2005-09-09 |
Family
ID=34887352
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002556539A Abandoned CA2556539A1 (en) | 2004-02-26 | 2005-02-25 | Gazebos with integrated additional features |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20050188623A1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1730369A4 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN100582422C (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2556539A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2005083202A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN105041002A (en) * | 2015-07-13 | 2015-11-11 | 陈墨 | Intelligent smoke-control cabin |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN2883576Y (en) * | 2006-03-03 | 2007-03-28 | 厦门进雄企业有限公司 | Tent frame and its connector |
| CN2882241Y (en) * | 2006-03-30 | 2007-03-28 | 厦门进雄企业有限公司 | Pet's nest |
| US20070233505A1 (en) * | 2006-04-03 | 2007-10-04 | Gary Erb | Community friendly retail land development |
| CN102635254B (en) * | 2012-04-26 | 2014-08-13 | 陈永恒 | Watertight toilet on floor with steel-wood structure |
| CN102635250B (en) * | 2012-04-26 | 2014-08-13 | 翟舒航 | Kiosk villa |
| GB2566519B (en) * | 2017-09-15 | 2020-03-25 | Imagine Nation B V | Theatre construction |
| CN111852078A (en) * | 2019-04-30 | 2020-10-30 | 米亚索乐装备集成（福建）有限公司 | Solar pavilion |
| US20210042692A1 (en) * | 2019-08-06 | 2021-02-11 | Newpower, Inc. | Proactive hardware inventory management |
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| US589971A (en) * | 1897-09-14 | Xasihoos si | ||
| US2183645A (en) * | 1939-12-19 | Ventilator and roof stjpport | ||
| US990516A (en) * | 1909-02-03 | 1911-04-25 | Mary L Bennett | Folding screen. |
| US1267684A (en) * | 1917-10-22 | 1918-05-28 | John E Annis | Sheet-metal bin and corn-crib. |
| US2256050A (en) * | 1939-08-28 | 1941-09-16 | Mand M Wood Working Company | Building |
| US2440449A (en) * | 1944-01-06 | 1948-04-27 | Lloyd R Raemer | Portable building structure |
| US2890498A (en) * | 1955-11-18 | 1959-06-16 | Floyd E Bigelow | Portable building |
| US3543455A (en) * | 1969-02-17 | 1970-12-01 | James H Walsh | Airplane hangar |
| US4173855A (en) * | 1977-06-16 | 1979-11-13 | Obezag Design And Development Corporation | Prefabricated building frame structure |
| USD265617S (en) * | 1980-04-28 | 1982-08-03 | Community Coffee Company, Inc. | Service booth for stores and the like |
| US4335558A (en) * | 1980-08-22 | 1982-06-22 | Domain Building Systems Corporation | Prefabricated polygonal building |
| FR2490703A1 (en) * | 1980-09-04 | 1982-03-26 | Paris Ville | AUTONOMOUS SHOP, SUCH AS A NEWSPAPER |
| US4426814A (en) * | 1981-10-26 | 1984-01-24 | Adolf Stuhmer | Prefabricated gazebo |
| DE3442946A1 (en) * | 1984-11-24 | 1986-06-05 | Siegfried 7970 Leutkirch Marzari | Housing which can be entered |
| US4733508A (en) * | 1986-11-03 | 1988-03-29 | Greenblatt Kenneth A | Multi-sided building construction |
| US4739594A (en) * | 1986-12-12 | 1988-04-26 | Langford John D | Gazebo structure and method of assembling the same |
| US4850160A (en) * | 1987-10-06 | 1989-07-25 | Outboard Marine Corporation | Circular dry boat storage building |
| USD313077S (en) * | 1988-05-12 | 1990-12-18 | Disenos Y Representaciones, S.A. | Kiosk |
| US5193327A (en) * | 1991-08-26 | 1993-03-16 | Goodenberger Lynn F | Portable pavilion |
| US5291700A (en) * | 1991-11-06 | 1994-03-08 | Keith Chew | Activities module |
| US5383313A (en) * | 1992-08-03 | 1995-01-24 | Deeke; Ronald V. | Mini Storage silo |
| USD357769S (en) * | 1993-03-30 | 1995-04-25 | Nick Connelly | Dog shelter |
| USD364232S (en) * | 1994-03-30 | 1995-11-14 | Siebelink Robert J | Gazebo |
| US5638646A (en) * | 1994-12-27 | 1997-06-17 | Shane; Penny Petersen | Traveler's quarters |
| DE29511711U1 (en) * | 1995-07-17 | 1996-06-20 | Egger, Albert, 70182 Stuttgart | Sales pavilion |
| US5806547A (en) * | 1995-10-02 | 1998-09-15 | Derlinga; Thomas S. | Combination umbrella and gazebo |
| US5724775A (en) * | 1996-01-29 | 1998-03-10 | Alternate Realities Corporation | Multi-pieced, portable projection dome and method of assembling the same |
| US5692342A (en) * | 1996-11-05 | 1997-12-02 | Devlin, Jr.; Catherine F. | Open but secure travel center kiosk |
| USD443069S1 (en) * | 2000-04-20 | 2001-05-29 | Viad Corporation | Kiosk |
| US6349511B1 (en) * | 2000-06-28 | 2002-02-26 | Mcalpin Patrick K. | Prefabricated multi-sided building construction system |
| US20020046508A1 (en) * | 2000-08-28 | 2002-04-25 | Future Beach Corporation | Beach kiosk |
| US20020100227A1 (en) * | 2001-01-26 | 2002-08-01 | Lynn Barnhouse | Work space management system |
| DE20104443U1 (en) * | 2001-03-13 | 2001-05-23 | Schmeing, Josef, 48485 Neuenkirchen | Party ensemble |
| USD458689S1 (en) * | 2001-08-21 | 2002-06-11 | Dc America | Two tier gazebo |
| US6684576B2 (en) * | 2001-09-04 | 2004-02-03 | Mark S. Grandin | Modular service bar |
| GB2381801A (en) * | 2001-11-08 | 2003-05-14 | Nicola Jane Davis | Gazebo |
| US6843026B2 (en) * | 2002-02-22 | 2005-01-18 | Steven Hoehn | Cone shaped polygon roof structure |
| US6802158B1 (en) * | 2002-04-16 | 2004-10-12 | Thinking Outside, L.L.C. | Storage shed with preformed roof assembly |
| USD482130S1 (en) * | 2002-10-09 | 2003-11-11 | Chiang Wu | Three-tier gazebo |
| US6745521B1 (en) * | 2002-12-13 | 2004-06-08 | Klemming Ulf Jp | Gazebo |
| US6761181B1 (en) * | 2002-12-30 | 2004-07-13 | Shin Yeh Enterprise Co., Ltd. | Modular leg assembly for a canopy |
-
2004
- 2004-02-26 US US10/789,728 patent/US20050188623A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2005
- 2005-02-25 EP EP05723679A patent/EP1730369A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-02-25 CA CA002556539A patent/CA2556539A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-02-25 WO PCT/US2005/005912 patent/WO2005083202A1/en active Application Filing
- 2005-02-25 CN CN200580006313A patent/CN100582422C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN105041002A (en) * | 2015-07-13 | 2015-11-11 | 陈墨 | Intelligent smoke-control cabin |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN100582422C (en) | 2010-01-20 |
| US20050188623A1 (en) | 2005-09-01 |
| CN101010472A (en) | 2007-08-01 |
| EP1730369A1 (en) | 2006-12-13 |
| EP1730369A4 (en) | 2010-06-02 |
| WO2005083202A1 (en) | 2005-09-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |