EP2141295A2

EP2141295A2 - Structural element

Info

Publication number: EP2141295A2
Application number: EP09164358A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robin Marlin
Original assignee: Grpcanopies Ltd; G R P CANOPIES Ltd
Current assignee: 123V PLC
Priority date: 2008-07-04
Filing date: 2009-07-01
Publication date: 2010-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-01
Also published as: GB2461570A; GB2461570B; EP2141295B1; GB0812282D0; EP2141295A3

Abstract

The present invention relates a cantilever structure and in particular to a structural element for use within the cantilever structure e.g. a canopy, carport, veranda or patio cover. The structural element provides not only load bearing support for the cantilever structure but also provides one or more supply conduits for the structure. Described embodiments disclose the use of the supply conduits as part of a substantially internal drainage system for the cantilever structure. In these embodiments water can be drained off of the cantilever structure while remaining hidden from view. In an alternative embodiment a supply conduit may be employed to house electrical equipment required for use by the cantilever structure e.g. sound and lighting equipment. During operation the electrical equipment can be safely operated as it remains isolated from the drainage system of the cantilever structure as well as being protected from external weather conditions.

Description

The present invention relates to a structural element for use as part of a cantilever structure. The present invention also relates to cantilever structures, especially, but not exclusively, canopies, carports, verandas, and patio covers.
A cantilever structure is a projecting structure that is supported at one end and carries a load at the other end or along its length. Many people and companies require a cantilever structure to be added in areas where aesthetics are paramount, e.g. on a domestic dwelling for leisure, on a restaurant for dinning, on a public house for drinking, on an office building for a smoking area or on a school as an outside play and education area.
Known cantilever structures of over 1500mm projection typically have a sloping roof supported by cantilever beams. Rainwater falling on the sloping roof is normally collected in a gutter at the long edge parallel to the wall to which the cantilever beams are fitted.
Conventionally, the gutter is formed as a separate, discrete element from the structural, load-bearing fascia (end surface) of the cantilever structure, the gutter being attached (e.g. bolted) to the projecting end of the cantilever structure. These conventional cantilever structures are labour intensive to install and visually poor.
After collecting the rainwater in the gutter, this water then has to be fed to a suitable discharge point, e.g. into an existing down pipe or drain. If this drain or pipe is at one end of the cantilever structure, the gutter can be directed towards the wall, along the face of the beam, which looks unsightly (unacceptable in the case of a beam with a high aesthetic appearance, or in a beam which is mainly transparent), and into a down pipe. If the discharge point is away from the end of the cantilever structure, a very long down pipe would be required to traverse the wall to the discharge point (which may not be possible if doors, windows or other obstructions are in the way). The other current method is to run the downpipe below the cantilever structure; this looks very unsightly and may restrict height clearance to an unacceptable level.
Furthermore, with more people wanting to spend more time outside (for example, because of national smoking bans), the requirement for lighting, heating and music as part of a permanent, open-sided structure has increased. This has caused wiring, conduit and brackets, for example, to be retrofitted to existing cantilever structures. These are unsightly, labour intensive and can create health and safety issues.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a structural element for use as part of a cantilever structure of over 1500mm projection, the structural element comprising:

a support portion for attachment to an end of at least two cantilever beams; and
a gutter portion;
wherein the support portion and the gutter portion are formed as one piece; and
wherein the support portion is a load-bearing support beam which, in use, spans between two adjacent cantilever beams.

Forming the support portion and the gutter portion as one piece provides an integrated means of discharging rainwater. This also simplifies the construction of the cantilever structure, and results in a better aesthetic effect.
Optionally, the support portion has a base wall, and the gutter portion comprises an extension of the base wall.
Optionally, the structural element also has a longitudinal axis and at least one lateral wall which runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a drainage aperture is located in the lateral wall.
Known gutter systems have discharge outlets in the base or an end of the gutter. In contrast, draining rainwater through a lateral wall means that a drainage conduit leading from the gutter portion can be discrete and integrated with the cantilever structure, instead of being overtly visible and added on to the outside of the cantilever structure. Hence, the overall aesthetic appearance of the cantilever structure is enhanced.
Typically, the drainage aperture is located in a part of the lateral wall that is inclined relative to a vertical wall of the structural element.
The drainage aperture can be connected to a discharge conduit, which leads from the gutter portion in a downwardly sloping direction. The inclination of the lateral wall may preferably be perpendicular to the inclination of the discharge conduit, which allows the discharge conduit to be efficiently sealed at the drainage aperture.
Typically, the angle of inclination is between 3 and 5 degrees, optionally 4 degrees.
Optionally, the support portion comprises front and rear lateral walls, and a respective aperture is provided in each of the front and rear lateral walls.
Hence, a drainage conduit can run through both front and rear walls, from the gutter portion.
Typically, the apertures in the front wall and the rear walls are aligned longitudinally with each other.
Typically, at least a portion of the front lateral wall is inclined relative to the rear lateral wall.
This allows the rear lateral wall to be fastened to a vertical surface (e.g. a vertical end plate of a cantilever structure), whilst an inclined drainage conduit can be connected to an aperture in the front lateral wall.
Optionally, the structural element also includes electrical equipment.
Typically, the electrical equipment comprises sound and/or lighting and/or heating equipment, for example speakers, infrared heaters, LED lights, etc.
Optionally, the structural element includes apertures from which sound, light and/or heat can exit the structural element.
The apertures can be directed towards the space underneath the cantilever structure, to deliver sound/light/heat to people under the structure.
Typically, the support portion comprises a hollow, substantially enclosed space, and the electrical equipment is located within this enclosed space.
Thus, the electrical equipment can be protected from the weather.
Optionally, the support portion is hollow, and the electrical equipment is mounted to an interior wall of the support portion.
Optionally, the structural element of the first aspect of the invention may also include any features, essential or option, of the second, third or fourth aspects of the invention.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cantilever structure of over 1500mm projection, the cantilever structure comprising:

at least two cantilever beams;
a structural element according to the first aspect of the invention, the structural element being attached to respective ends of at least two adjacent cantilever beams; and
a roof, the weight of which is supported by the structural element and the cantilever beams.

Optionally, at least one of the cantilever beams comprises a drainage conduit.
Optionally, the drainage conduit comprises a structural, load-bearing member of the cantilever beam.
Hence, there is no need for an additional drainage conduit (for returning water from the gutter portion to a drain) to be added onto the outside of the cantilever beam. This decreases the overall weight, and simplifies the construction of the cantilever structure, whilst also improving its aesthetic appearance.
Furthermore, returning the water through a structural member of the cantilever beam enables the water to be returned from the projecting end of the cantilever structure to the wall of the building, without being seen. Until the water exists from the drainage conduit outlet, there is no indication from all normal views as to the route the water is taking to its discharge point.
Typically, the drainage conduit comprises a hollow lower beam member of the cantilever beam.
Optionally, the drainage conduit also includes a connector, which is attached to the load-bearing member of the cantilever beam and which connects the load-bearing member to the structural element.
Typically, the drainage conduit extends through at least one drainage aperture in the structural element, to connect the drainage conduit to the gutter portion.
Optionally, the cantilever structure includes an o-ring seal that is located between the drainage conduit and the drainage aperture, to seal the aperture.
Typically, the drainage aperture is located in a part of the structural element that lies perpendicular to the drainage conduit at that location.
This allows the drainage conduit to be efficiently sealed to the structural element.
Optionally, a resilient support means is attached to an upper wall of the structural element, the roof being directly supported by the resilient support means.
Hence, in such embodiments, the roof is not directly supported on the body of the structural element. This distributes any point loading from the roof, due to deflection of the roof onto the upper wall of the structural element.
Typically, the resilient support means comprises an elongate rubber strip, which engages with a slot in the upper wall of the structural element.
Optionally, electrical equipment is supported by the structural element, the electrical equipment being powered via electric wires which run through a hollow, load-bearing beam member of at least one of the cantilever beams.
Typically, the electric wires run through a hollow upper beam member of the cantilever beam.
Optionally, the cantilever structure also includes a solar panel mounted to the roof.
Optionally, the cantilever structure of the second aspect of the invention may include any features, essential or optional, of the first, third or fourth aspects of the invention.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a cantilever structure comprising:

a cantilever beam, comprising at least one hollow, load-bearing, beam member;
a structural element attached to an end of the cantilever beam; and
a roof, the weight of which is supported by the structural element and the cantilever beam;
wherein electrical equipment is provided on the structural element, the electrical equipment being powered via electric wires that run through the hollow load-bearing beam member of the cantilever beam.

Providing electrical equipment on the structural element means the electrical equipment is in close proximity to, and can be directed towards, people underneath the cantilever structure. Also, the structural element may provide a good, weatherproof protection for the electrical equipment. Using a structural, beam member as the wiring route means that the electrical wires are protected from the weather, without needing any additional components to be added to the cantilever beam to house the wiring. This simplifies the construction, reduces the overall weight, and hides the electrical wiring from view.
Typically, the electrical equipment comprises sound and/or lighting and/or heating equipment.
Optionally, the structural element has apertures for the sound, light and/or heat to exit the structural element.
Optionally, the support portion comprises a hollow, substantially enclosed space, and the electrical equipment is located in this enclosed space.
Optionally, the support portion has substantially the form of a hollow cuboid, and the electrical equipment is mounted to an interior wall of the hollow cuboid.
Optionally, the cantilever structure of the third aspect of the invention may also include any features, essential or option, of the first, second or fourth aspects of the invention.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a cantilever structure of over 1500mm projection, the cantilever structure comprising:

a cantilever beam;
a structural element attached to an end of the cantilever beam, and comprising a gutter portion; and
a roof, the weight of which is supported by the structural element and the cantilever beam;
wherein the cantilever beam comprises a drainage conduit, one end of which is connected to the gutter portion for draining water from therefrom; and
wherein the drainage conduit comprises a hollow, load-bearing member of the cantilever beam.

Hence, the drainage conduit doubles as a major structural element of the cantilever structure. This enables the path of the water from the gutter portion to the outlet of the load-bearing beam member to be hidden from view, without requiring any additional components to achieve this. Only once the water exits from the load-bearing beam member is there any indication as to the route the water is taking to its discharge point.
Hence, downpipes leading directly downwards from the (projecting) end of the cantilever structure are avoided, and a supplemental drainage conduit being fixed onto the side of one of the cantilever beams is avoided. This increases aesthetic appeal, reduces the overall weight, and simplifies the construction of the cantilever structure.
Typically, the drainage conduit extends through at least one drainage aperture in the structural element, to connect the drainage conduit to the gutter portion.
Optionally, the cantilever structure includes an o-ring seal that is located between the drainage conduit and the drainage aperture in the structural element, to seal the drainage aperture.
Optionally, the structural element has a longitudinal axis, and at least one lateral wall which runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the drainage aperture is located in the lateral wall of the structural element.
Typically, the drainage aperture is located in a part of the lateral wall that lies perpendicular to the drainage conduit at that location.
Optionally, the cantilever structure of the fourth aspect of the invention may also include any features, essential or option, of the first, second, or third aspects of the invention.
Typically, the cantilever structure of any aspect of the invention comprises a permanent structure.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following drawings, in which:-

Fig 1 shows a perspective view of a cantilever structure of the present invention;
Fig 2 shows a side view with interior detail of a cantilever beam and structural element of the cantilever structure of Fig 1;
Fig 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an end of the cantilever structure of Fig 1;
Fig 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a structural element of the cantilever structure of Fig 1; and
Fig 5 shows an enlarged view of an area A of Fig 3, with additional features shown.

Referring now to Fig 1, a cantilever structure 10 comprises four cantilever beams 12, a roof 14, and an elongate structural element 16, which is attached to respective projecting ends of the four cantilever beams 12. The weight of the roof 14 is supported by the structural element 16 and the cantilever beams 12. The roof 14 typically comprises a plurality of glass panels and intervening glazing bars (not shown).
As shown in Fig 2, each cantilever beam 12 is substantially planar, and comprises three structural, load-bearing beam members. A first beam member is a strut 18, which is vertical in use. The strut 18 has three mounting brackets 20 for attaching the strut 18 to a wall of a building (or other structure). The strut 18 has an upper end 18U and a lower end 18L.
The opposite end from the strut 18 defines a projecting end 22 of the cantilever structure 10 (the end that projects most outwardly from the building).
A second beam member is an upper beam member 24, which projects outwardly from an upper end 18U of the strut 18. The upper beam member 24 is at an angle of 85 degrees to the strut 18, such that, in use, the upper beam member 24 is inclined at 5 degrees to the horizontal, sloping downwards in the direction of the projecting end 22. The angle of the upper beam member 24 may be greater than 85 degrees.
A third beam member is a lower beam member 26. The lower beam member comprises a hollow tubular member, which has two straight portions 26a, 26c connected by a curved portion 26b. Typically, the portions 26a, 26b and 26c are formed integrally, such that the lower beam member 26 is one-piece. The first straight portion 26a is vertical and is attached to and in alignment with the strut 18 at its lower end 18L. The first straight portion 26a extends about a third or half way up the strut 18. The second straight portion 26c is inclined at 86 degrees to the strut 18, such that, in use, the second straight portion 26c is inclined at 4 degrees to the horizontal, sloping upwards in the direction of the projecting end 22. The curved portion 26b connects the first and second straight portions 26a, 26c together in a smooth curve. The lower beam member 26 forms part of a drainage conduit C, which drains water away from the structural 25 element 16, as will be explained in more detail below. Hence, the cantilever beam 12 comprises a drainage conduit C, and the drainage conduit C comprises a structural, load-bearing member 26 of the cantilever beam 12.
The downwardly sloping upper beam member 24 and the upwardly sloping lower beam member 26 converge in the direction of the projecting end 22. At the projecting end 22, the upper beam member 24 and the lower beam member 26 are in quite close proximity, which gives the beam 12 a substantially triangular shape.
An infill 28 is provided in this substantially triangular shape between the strut 18 and the upper and lower beam members 24, 26. In this embodiment, the infill 28 is decorative and has a look of quality cast or wrought iron.
All four of the cantilever beams 12 are the same, so that any or all of these can be used as a drainage conduit C to return water from the structural element 16 to a discharge point. Optionally, only one of the cantilever beams 12 would be used as the drainage conduit C, but alternatively, more than one, or all could be used, to feed a plurality of discharge points.
The cantilever structure 10 typically projects over 1500mm from the wall (or other surface) to which it is attached. i.e. the distance between the strut 18 and the projecting end 22 is typically over 1500mm.
Referring now to Fig 3, the projecting end 22 of the cantilever structure 10 is shown in more detail. An end plate 30 connects the upper beam member 24 to the lower beam member 26, and is vertical in use. The upper beam member 24 is fixed in any suitable way to the end plate 30. The lower beam member 26 extends through an aperture in the end plate 30.
The structural element 16 is fixed to the end plate 30 by a bolt 32. The 30 structural element 16 typically comprises aluminium or a composite material, optionally structural grade aluminium, which is approximately 50% stronger than conventional aluminium. The structural element 16 comprises a support portion 34, which is the part attached to the end plate 30; and a gutter portion 36. The support portion 34 and the gutter portion 36 are formed as one piece.
The support portion 34 is a load-bearing support beam, which spans between two (and indeed all) adjacent cantilever beams 12. Specifically, the support portion 34 extends along the entire projecting end 22 of the 10 cantilever structure 10, spanning between the first and second beams 12, the second and third beams 12, and the third and fourth beams 12.
The structural element 16 has a longitudinal axis which runs parallel to the projecting end 22 of the cantilever structure 10 (perpendicular to the plane of the cantilever beam 12). Figs 2 to 5 are shown looking in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
The support portion 34 defines a hollow, substantially enclosed space 35, the support portion 34 having substantially the form of a hollow cuboid. Specifically, the support portion 34 has front and rear lateral walls 38, 40, both of which run substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the rear lateral wall 40 being closer to the end plate 30. The support portion 34 also has an upper wall 42 and a base wall 44, both of which connect the front and rear lateral walls 38, 40 together. Typically, the support portion 34 also has end walls (not shown).
An upper portion 38U of the front lateral wall 38 is parallel to the rear lateral wall 40 (vertical in use). This allows the structural element 16 to be bolted by bolt 32 to the vertical end plate 30 of the cantilever beam 12.
A lower portion 38L of the front lateral wall 38 is inclined relative to the rear lateral wall 40, at an angle of 4 degrees.
The drainage conduit C comprises the lower beam member 26 and a connector 46. The connector 46 is attached to the lower beam member 26 and connects the lower beam member 26 to the support portion 34. Specifically, the connector 46 comprises a hollow tubular, which fits telescopically inside the end of the lower beam member 26, and which is fixed thereto. The connector 46 projects out of the end of the lower beam member 26, and has a radially extending flange 46f on its projecting end.
The support portion 34 comprises a respective drainage aperture in the rear lateral wall 40 and in the lower portion 38L of the front lateral wall 38. These drainage apertures are aligned longitudinally with each other, i.e. are located at the same distance along the longitudinal axis. The drainage apertures themselves are not explicitly shown, but can be inferred from the position of the drainage conduit C (lower beam member 26 and connector 46) in Fig 3, which projects through these drainage apertures.
An o-ring seal 48 is provided between the flange 46f and the drainage aperture in the lower portion 38L of the front lateral wall 38. The flange 46f has a larger diameter than the drainage aperture in the front lateral wall 38, thus, the connector 46 cannot slide through the drainage aperture and the drainage conduit C cannot accidentally become detached from the support portion 34. The o-ring seal 48 is located between the drainage conduit C and the drainage aperture in the front lateral wall 38 of the support portion 34, to seal the drainage aperture.
The 4 degree inclination of the lower portion 38L relative to the vertical, 30 and the 4 degree inclination of the second straight portion 26c of the lower 16 beam member 26 relative to the horizontal, means that the lower portion 38L is perpendicular to the second straight portion 26c. Hence, the drainage aperture in the structural element 16 is located in a part of the structural element 16 that lies perpendicular to the drainage conduit C at that location. Because of this perpendicular orientation, the flange 46f and o-ring seal 48 lie flat against the lower portion 38L of the front lateral wall 38, providing an efficient sealing of the drainage aperture in the front lateral wall 38.
The gutter portion 36 comprises an extension of the base wall 44 of the support portion 34. The gutter portion 36 comprises a base wall 50 and a outer lateral wall 52. The base wall 50 is elongate and planar.
The outer lateral wall 52 is inclined at about 45 degrees to the base wall 50, and has an undulating shape, for additional strength. The inner lateral wall of the gutter portion 36 is provided by the front lateral wall 38 of the support portion 34. Hence, the gutter portion 36 provides a channel 53 for collection of rain water, the channel 53 being defined by the outer lateral wall 52, the base wall 50 and the front lateral wall 38 of the support portion 34.
The base wall 50 is perpendicular to the lower portion 38L of the front lateral wall 38. This means that, in use, the base wall 50 is inclined at 4 degrees to the horizontal, in alignment with the connector 46 and the second straight portion 26c of the lower beam member 26. Thus, the base wall 50 effectively slopes downwards towards the mouth of the connector 46. This aids the flow of water in the channel 53 into the connector 46 (hence into the drainage conduit C).
Since the drainage conduit C extends through the drainage aperture in the lower portion 38L of the front lateral wall 38, the inlet of the drainage conduit C is in the channel 53. Hence, the drainage conduit C is connected to the gutter portion 36, as fluids in the channel 53 of the gutter portion 36 can freely flow into the drainage conduit C.
Referring to Fig 5, this view also shows the roof 14 (not to scale), which overlies the cantilever beam 12. The upper wall 42 of the support portion 34 has a T-shaped, elongate slot 54 extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
A resilient support means comprising an elongate rubber strip 56 is located within the slot 54. The rubber strip 56 has a corresponding T-shaped lower portion, which retains the rubber strip 56 in the slot 54. The rubber strip 56 has a cylindrical upper portion, on which the roof 14 is supported. Hence, the weight of the roof 14 rests on the rubber strip 56 and not directly on the body of the structural element 16. In use, if the roof 14 becomes laden (e.g. with snow), the centre of the roof 14 may deflect downwards, but typically, the height of the rubber strip 56 is sufficient to cope with any such deflection. Hence, even if the roof 14 is deflected downwards (on the left side of Fig 5), the roof 14 should still be spaced from the support portion 34 of the structural element 16. This is advantageous, because any point contact between the support portion 34 and the roof 14 could shatter the glass of the roof 14.
Some of the weight of the roof 14 is transferred to the support portion 34 via the rubber strip 56, and from there, the weight is transferred along the upper and lower beam members 24, 26 to the strut 18 and from there to the wall of the building. Thus, in use, the structural element 16, the upper beam member 24 and the lower beam member 26 are all load-bearing, structural members. In particular, the structural element 16 is a major structural element, which is able to distribute about 50% of the roof load to the ends of the cantilever beam 12.
Optionally, some electrical equipment (not shown) can be provided on the cantilever structure 10. The electrical equipment typically comprises sound and/or lighting and/or heating equipment. This electrical equipment could be mounted at any suitable position on the cantilever structure 10. Preferably, the electrical equipment is located on/mounted to the support portion 34.
For example, the electrical equipment could be located within the enclosed space 35 provided by the support portion 34 (e.g. mounted to an interior wall of the hollow cuboid, such as the inside surface of the rear wall 40). This interior wall is preferably flat, to facilitate the installation of this electrical equipment.
The support portion 34 typically has apertures (not shown) for the sound, light and/or heat to exit the support portion 34. These apertures would typically be provided in the rear lateral wall 40, to project the sound/heat/light towards people sitting underneath the cantilever structure 10.
Because the enclosed space 35 is separated from the gutter portion by the front lateral wall 38 and the sealed drainage aperture, the structural element 16 keeps the electrical equipment separate from the water in the gutter portion 36 and in the drainage conduit C.
The electrical equipment can be powered via electric wires. These wires 30 can be directed through a hollow beam member of the cantilever beam 12 (typically the upper beam member 24), from the electrical equipment to the side of the building to which the cantilever structure is attached. Since all four of the cantilever beams 12 are the same, one or more of them could be used as the wiring route. At the building, the wires may optionally be directed through a small hole in the wall of the building, for connection to the mains power supply.
Using the structural upper beam member 24 as the wiring route means that no additional components need to be added to the beam 12 to house the wiring. This simplifies construction, and reduces the overall weight of the structure 10. Furthermore, the upper beam member 24 carrying the electric wires, whilst the completely separate lower beam member 26 carries the drainage water, ensures complete separation of the electrical equipment from the water.
Optionally a solar panel (not shown) may be mounted to the roof 14. Electricity required by the electrical equipment could therefore be generated by the solar panel, instead of being supplied from an external source.
In use, the electrical equipment can be used safely, the equipment itself and its accompanying wiring being protected from the weather and the drainage water.
Rainwater that falls onto the sloping roof 14 is collected in the channel 53 of the gutter portion 36. This water leaves channel 53 through one or more of the beams 12, via the connector 46 and lower beam member 26. The water flows through the inside of the lower beam member 26, and exits via the lower end of the portion 26a, at the wall of the building.
Hence, the drainage conduit C doubles as a major structural element (the lower beam member 26) of the cantilever structure 10.
From here, the water can be directed into any suitable discharge point, for example, a downpipe could lead from the lower end of the portion 26a to a drain, the downpipe being located against the wall of the building, as is conventional. Alternatively, the water from the lower beam member 26 could fall directly into a drain.
During this process, the path of the water from the gutter portion 36 to the lower end of the lower beam member 26 is hidden from view, and has required no further components additional to the gutter portion 36 and the cantilever beam 12. Thus, only once the water exits from the lower beam member 26 is there any indication as to the route the water is taking to its discharge point.
Hence, downpipes leading from the projecting end 22 of the cantilever structure 10 are avoided, and a supplemental drainage conduit being fixed onto the side of one of the beams 12 is avoided. This increases aesthetic appeal, reduces the overall weight, and simplifies the construction of the cantilever structure 10.
Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, as is apparent from the four statements of the invention. not all features of the invention are essential features in every embodiment. For example, in some embodiments, the support portion and the gutter portion are not formed as one piece, this feature not being an essential feature of the third or fourth aspects of the invention.
Some embodiments do not include an infill 28. Other embodiments may have an infill but of a different design. Some embodiments may have an infill in the form of a planar sheet, with no particular pattern or shape thereon.
The electrical equipment is not necessarily mounted to the structural element, since it could instead be supported by the structural element without actually being fixed thereto. In some embodiments, electrical equipment is present but the wires for this do not necessarily run through· the upper beam member 24. Alternatively, the wires may run alongside the upper beam member 24. Optionally, if a solar panel is present, which powers the electrical equipment, electric wires may run through only a part of, or perhaps none of the upper beam member 24.
In some embodiments, the cantilever structure need not be over 1500mm projection.
There could be more, or fewer, cantilever beams 12 than the four shown in Fig 1.
The electrical equipment is not an essential element of some embodiments of the invention, and where present, can be any kind of electrical equipment, not limited to the examples given above.
All angles given are approximate and may be varied. The invention is not limited to these specific angles.

Claims

A cantilever structure (10) of over 1500mm projection, the cantilever structure (10) comprising:
a cantilever beam (12);

a structural element (16) attached to an end of the cantilever beam (12), and comprising a gutter portion (36); and

a roof (14), the weight of which is supported by the structural element (16) and the cantilever beam (12);

wherein the cantilever beam (12) comprises a drainage conduit (26), one end of which is connected to the gutter portion (36) for draining water from therefrom; and

wherein the drainage conduit (26) comprises a hollow, load-bearing member of the cantilever beam.
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least two cantilever beams (12), the structural element (16) being attached to respective ends of at least two adjacent cantilever beams(12).
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the structural element (16) also includes a support portion (34) attached to respective ends of at least two adjacent cantilever beams (12), and wherein the support portion (34) and the gutter portion (36) are formed as one piece.
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support portion (34) is a load-bearing support beam.
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the support portion (34) has a base wall (44), and the gutter portion (36) comprises an extension of the base wall (44).
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the drainage conduit (26) extends through at least one drainage aperture in the structural element (16), to connect the drainage conduit (26) to the gutter portion (36).
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cantilever structure (10) includes an o-ring seal (48) that is located between the drainage conduit (26) and the drainage aperture in the structural element (16), to seal the drainage aperture.
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the structural element (16) has a longitudinal axis, and at least one lateral wall (38, 40) which runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the drainage aperture is located in the lateral wall (38, 40) of the structural element (16).
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the drainage aperture is located in a part of the lateral wall (38, 40)) that lies perpendicular to the drainage conduit (26) at that location.
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the drainage aperture is located in a part of the lateral wall (38L) that is inclined relative to a vertical wall (38U, 40) of the structural element (16).
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the angle of inclination is between 3 and 5 degrees.
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cantilever structure (10) comprises a permanent structure.
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structural element (16) also includes electrical equipment powered via electrical wires wherein the electric wires run through a hollow upper beam member (24) of the cantilever beam (12), and wherein the drainage conduit (26) comprises a hollow lower beam member (26) of the cantilever beam (12).
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a resilient support means (56) is attached to an upper wall of the structural element (16), the roof (14) being directly supported by the resilient support means (56).
A cantilever structure (10) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the resilient support means (56) comprises an elongate rubber strip, which engages with a slot (54) in the upper wall of the structural element (16).