GB2400386A

GB2400386A - A collapsible framework-supported pitched roof gazebo with unobstructed headroom

Info

Publication number: GB2400386A
Application number: GB0406687A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph O'connell; James Anthony O'connell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-10
Filing date: 2004-03-25
Publication date: 2004-10-13
Also published as: GB0406687D0; IES20030275A2; IE20040256A1

Abstract

A gazebo 100 has a roof support structure 120 collapsible into a space defined by legs 130 (fig 2). The legs may be extendible, preferably telescopic. The roof 120 is preferably hinged to the legs. Transverse linking members 170, horizontal to the floor, and extending between leg tops may extend along the structure sides. These may be braced against the legs by coupling members 180. The linking members 170 may be segmented (172, 173, fig 5) and locked in position by overlapping tubes 174. The roof structure preferably includes four roof members 121-124, each preferably in two segments, joining at an apex. The roof member segments may be connected by chain (190, fig 7), hidden when assembled. The gazebo may be covered with two portions of fabric (200, 210, fig 8) at the apex defining a gap (220, fig 8) between the portions. Preferably, movement of one part of the framework effects movement of another. In use, apparatus such as a patio heater may be used inside the gazebo (fig 8).

Description

1 2400386 Title A Gazebo Assembly

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to outside garden furniture. It particularly relates to the type of outside covering or awning known as a gazebo and more particularly to a frame assembly for such an awning. Although the term gazebo may > traditionally be considered as being a structure formed of wood or concrete, it will be understood that in the present application the term "gazebo" refers to any free-standing, roofed, usually open-sided structure that is adapted to provide a shady or covered resting place.

Background to the Invention

With people having more leisure time they are spending more of their time in an outdoor environment. There has been a 2( growth in the enthusiasm for use of the garden, which has led to increases in interest in garden furniture such as tables/chairs/loungers and the like. People are turning to the garden environment as a natural extension to their house and with barbecues and other outdoor cooking 2> appliances are even cooking and eating outside. It is well known to use outdoor umbrellas in combination with tables to provide sun protection for the user when seated around

the table.

So In temperate climates and also in the evening time of warmer climates there is a requirement to provide an artificial source of heat, so as to enable a user to prolong the time period that they can sit outside comfortably. EP O 976 979 of the present inventor describes 3 an outdoor parasol heater which is exemplary of the type of outdoor heating appliances that through a burning of gas from a bottle gas supply provide a heating of the environment around the parasol heater. Such a parasol heater includes a base portion adapted to house a bottle of gas, a pole extending upwardly from the base portion and having a burner mounted on a top portion thereof. The burner is in communication with the gas supply housed in the base portion. A heat deflector or parasol dish is provided above the burner and is adapted to deflect heat all generated by the burner downwardly about the pole, thereby providing a heat source for people in the environment.

Although such heat sources are known, there has been an increased interest in the provision of outdoor awnings or gazebos which would provide an extended coverage over the area where the people are located. A limitation with the garden umbrella is that it is small in size and the extent of the coverage is limited by the support that can be provided by a central pole. An awning is typically JO permanently connected to a side wall of a house and then extendible outwardly to provide the coverage. Although, this fixing to the side wall does provide support for a covering of large area, the awning suffers in that the location is determined by the initial fixing of the 2s covering to the wall. With people wanting to have a removable structure which can be erected and dismantled when desired by the user, at locations to be determined by the user, the use of gazebos has increased in popularity.

3(i An example of typical gazebos is shown in US4739594, which describes a gazebo structure having an octagonal configuration with a base structure comprising corner posts and side panels. The roof comprises a plurality of triangularly shaped roof sections having radially extending beams at edge portions thereof. There is an apex centre piece having a plurality of U-shaped mounting brackets, with each bracket receiving therein the apex ends of two adjacent side beams from two adjacent roof sections. The roof sections are prefabricated and can be combined with one another to form a completed roof quickly and conveniently. Once constructed, such a gazebo is typically left up and not dismantled.

It is also known to provide gazebos that can be erected or dismantled regularly. Such gazebos are typically provided by a frame structure formed from a plurality of interconnecting poles or segments which when connected form a support for a canvas (or other suitable material) covering. The multiple pole segments must be interconnected in order to assemble the frame and this is difficult to achieve with one person. Furthermore, as each of the poles are typically dimensioned for a specific portion of the frame, it is necessary to organise all the poles prior to attempting the erection of the gazebo. Yet a further 9) disadvantage is the positioning of the fabric roof segments on an upper portion of the frame prior to the erection. As the height of the erected frame is usually above head height it is necessary to position the material over an upper portion of the frame prior to placing the poles in 3> the leg portions that extend the frame to a full height.

All these requirements are limitations of the existing framework as the effectively mean that the erection of the gazebo is a complex, time consuming task.

ti In order to obviate the problems associated with such complex assemblies it is known to provide interconnected segments which can be expanded to form an erect structure.

An example of such an easy to assemble gazebMis provided under the brand name Eclipse II_ by E-Z UPJInc in the USA.

Is In this assmebly, the roof section is interconnected with the supporting legs such that on extension of the legs relative to one another the roof section expands upwardly so as to support the roof. The roof support is provided by a scissors arrangement having a center pole which on erection forces the pitch roof upwards. In this erected configuration the scissors assembly obstructs the roof space of the gazebo. It is therefore not possible to use this gazebo in conjunction with any objects which have a height greater than the legs of the gazebo. The obvious solution to this problem is to increase the height of the legs. However, this has associated problems of increasing the overall dimension of the gazebo, both in an erect and stored state. Additionally, the increase of the leg length detracts from the sense of the enclosed space defined by the gazebo and also increases the possibilty of rain or the like entering in under the roof of the gazebo.

There is therefore a need to provide an alternative frame for a gazebo that will enable an efficient erection and of) dismantling of the apparatus, and which is also adapted to enable use of the gazebo with tall objects.

Object of the Invention i> It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide an alternative frame construction for a gazebo.

Summary of the Invention An)

Accordingly the present invention provides a gazebo having a collapsible frame. Desirably the frame includes a plurality of components, individual components being connectable to one another such that movement of a first 3 components effects a movement of other components.

In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a gazebo having a frame with: a pitch roof support structure a plurality of legs adapted to support the roof support structure, and wherein the roof support structure and the plurality of legs are configured to be collapsible such that the roof support structure is foldable into a space defined by the plurality of legs and wherein on assembly the roof support structure is provided about a perimeter of the gazebo, thereby defining an unobstructed interior roof space, such that in use objects may be provided within the gazebo which extend into the roof space. iS

Desirably, each of the plurality of legs has a base portion adapted to support the gazebo frame and an upper portion, the upper portion having coupling means adapted to couple the legs to the roof support structure. In a preferred 9 embodiment the roof support structure is hingably attached to an upper portion of each of the legs.

Preferably each of the legs is extendible, such that the height of the leg can be varied. In preferred embodiments - such extension is provided by telescopic legs, each leg having at least two members, a first member being receivable within a second member.

In a preferred embodiment an upper portion of a first leg St is coupled to an upper portion of a second leg by a transverse linking member. In an erect position of the gazebo frame, the transverse linking member is desirably orientated to be substantially parallel to the ground.

Desirably, each transverse linking member is hingably coupled to two legs.

In a preferred embodiment, the transverse linking member comprises at least two segments, a first transverse linking member segment being pivotably coupled relative to a second transverse member linking segment. In a dismantled condition of the gazebo frame, the first segments are desirably foldable relative to one another. In an erect position a movement of a first segment relative to the second segment is desirably obviated by a fixing member, the fixing member being adapted to interengage with the first and second member. The fixing member is desirably a tubular member adapted to be moveable along a first segment so as to overlap with the second segment, the overlap of the fixing member with both the first and second segments > restricting relative movement of the segments. The fixing member desirably includes locking means adapted to enable a locking of the fixing member relative to the two segments.

Desirably two segments are provided.

go Preferably a coupling member is provided between each of the legs and the transverse member coupled thereto, the coupling member being hingably attached to one of either the leg or transverse member and movably coupled to the other of the leg or transverse member. In a preferred > embodiment the coupling member is hingably coupled to the transverse member and moveable along the leg. Such movement is desirably effected by provision of a sleeve extending about at least a portion of the exterior of the leg, the sleeve being hingably coupled to the coupling member, a 3(' movement of the sleeve along the leg effecting a change in the angular orientation of the coupling member relative to the leg and transverse member. Desirably the sleeve is provided with locking means, the locking means being adapted to maintain the orientation of the coupling member in a desired position.

In a preferred embodiment the roof structure includes a plurality of roof members. Each of the roof members are desirably coupled to other roof members at a first portion s and to a leg at a second portion. The coupling of the roof members to one another preferably defines an apex of the gazebo frame. Desirably four roof members are provided, each roof member being coupled to a leg of the gazebo frame such that the apex defines a pyramid configuration. In a 1( preferred embodiment each of the roof members is segmented into at least two roof member segments. The individual roof member segments are desirably interconnectable such that a portion of a first segment is receivable within a portion of a second segment. Typically, a connection between l.S dismantled non-interconnected segments is maintained by a linking member. The linking member typically comprises a chain having a series of interconnected links. At least one of the links is coupled to a first roof member segment and another of the links is coupled to a second roof member if segment. Desirably the coupling is provided in an interior portion of the individual segments such that on interconnection of two segments, the linking member coupling both is not visible.

Desirably the gazebo is provided with at least two portions of covering material. A first portion is dimensioned so as to be receivable on an apex of the frame, and a second portion is dimensioned so as to be receivable on the portion of the frame extending below the apex. When coupled 3' to the frame an air gap is desirably provided between the first and second portions. Desirably the air gap is effected by an overlap of the first and second portions.

Preferably an upper region of the second portion extends under a lower region of the first portion.

The frame of the present invention is desirably configured such that movement of any one component of the frame effects a movement of a second component. By foldably coupling the legs and roof support structure to one another, a movement of the legs away from one another effects a movement of the roof support structure upwardly.

Such interconnection between the components enables a single user to erect and dismantle the frame.

all Desirably the frame is dimensioned so as to be suitable to receive a parasol heater in an interior portion of the gazebo. The parasol heater is typically provided in a mid- portion of the gazebo such that the parasol dish is positioned below the apex of the frame. The provision of lo the air gap between the first and second portions enables the escape of spent gas emitted from the parasol heater out of and away from the gazebo.

These and other features of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an erect frame for a gazebo according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a collapsed frame, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a partially extended frame, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the frame showing a coupling between a legs, a roof member and two 3 transverse members, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the coupling between two segments of a transverse member, Figure 6 is a perspective view of a coupling member interconnecting a leg and transverse members coupled thereto, Figure 7 is a perspective view of a segmented roof member, and Figure 8 shows a fully assembled gazebo with a parasol heater provided therein. s

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings. 1()

Figure 8 shows a fully erect gazebo 100 according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 1 the gazebo 100 includes a frame 110 having a roof support structure 120 and a plurality of legs 130, the legs being adapted to as support the roof support structure. In this preferred illustrated embodiment four legs 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d are provided. When the frame is fully erect the positioning of each of the legs defines the area occupied by the gazebo.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the roof support structure and the plurality of legs are configured to be collapsible. In a collapsed condition, such as shown in Figure 2, the four legs define a space 140 therebetween within which the roof Is support structure is foldable into. The legs and roof support structure are foldably coupled to one another such that a movement of the legs away from one another, as shown in Figure 3, will effect a movement of the roof support structure upwardly and outwardly. Such interconnection 3' between the components enables a single user to erect and dismantle the frame.

Each of the plurality of legs has a base portion 150 which is adapted to support the gazebo frame. The base portion is typically includes an extended base section 155 which distributes the weight of the gazebo across a wider surface area of the ground on which the gazebo is positioned. As shown in Figure 3, and in more detail in Figure 4, each leg also has an upper portion 160 which is provided with coupling means 165 adapted to couple the legs to the roof support structure 120. As shown in Figure 4, this coupling is typically effected by means of a hinge mechanism 166 such that the roof support structure is hingably attached to an upper portion of each of the legs. 1()

Each of the legs is desirably extendible, such that the height of the leg can be varied. Each legs typically has at least two members; an upper member 131 and a lower member 132, which are typically telescopically receivable into one Is another. In Figure 1 the two legs are fully extended whereas Figures 2 and 3 show an un-extended condition wherein only the lower member 132 is visible. The extension of the upper member 131 is effected by effecting a turning of a telescopic mechanism 133 provided on the leg 130, which on loosening enables an extraction of the second member from its compact condition within the other leg.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, an upper portion 160a of a first leg 130a is coupled to an upper portion 160d of a second leg 130d by a transverse linking member 170. In an erect position of the gazebo frame (such as shown in Figure 1), the transverse linking member 170 is desirably orientated to be substantially parallel to the ground. As there are four legs, there are also four transverse 3 members, with each transverse member being hingably coupled to two legs. As such each leg will also be hingably coupled to two transverse members ( see Figure 4).

Figure 5 shows in detail a mid-portion 171 of a transverse linking member. In order to effect a compact storage of the gazebo frame in an un-erect state each transverse linking member comprises at least two segments 172, 173. A first transverse linking member segment 172 is pivotably coupled relative to a second transverse member linking segment 173.

Such a pivotable coupling 176 means that in a dismantled condition of the gazebo frame ( Figure 2), the segments are foldable relative to one another. In order to effect an erect position, a movement of a first segment relative to the second segment is desirably obviated by a fixing member all 174. The fixing member is desirably a tubular member having a first and second block end 174a, 174b, with a collar provided therebetween. The fixing member is adapted to be moveable along a first segment 172 so as to overlap with the second segment 173, the overlap of the fixing member ts with both the first and second segments restricting relative movement of the segments ( Figure 1). The transverse member may include locking means 175, which interacts with locking means provided on or with the fixing member to enable a locking of the fixing member relative to 3() the two segments.

As shown in Figures 1 and 6 a coupling mechanism 180 is provided between each of the legs and the transverse member coupled thereto. The coupling mechanism includes a coupling member 181 being hingably attached to one of either the leg or transverse member and movably coupled to the other of the leg or transverse member. In this illustrate preferred embodiment the coupling member 181 is hingably coupled to the transverse member and moveable along the leg. Such so movement is effected by provision of a sleeve 182 extending about at least a portion of the exterior of the leg 130.

The sleeve is further provided with a pivot connection 183, so as to enable the sleeve to be hingably coupled to the coupling member. As such a movement of the sleeve 182 along the leg effects a change in the angular orientation of the coupling member 181 relative to the leg and transverse member. Desirably, and as shown in Figure 2, the sleeve is provided with locking means in the form of an aperture 184 which is adapted to mate with a pin 185 provided in an upper portion of the leg. The co-operation of the pin and aperture ensures that the locking means can maintain the orientation of the coupling member in a desired position, such as when the frame is in an erect position (Figure 1).

t, As shown in Figure 1, the roof structure includes a plurality of roof members 121, 122, 123, 124. Each of the roof members are desirably coupled to other roof members at a first portion 125 and to a leg 130 at a second portion 126. The coupling of the roof members to one another Is defines an apex 127 of the gazebo frame. It will be appreciated that in this erect state, the roof members are provided about a perimeter of the gazebo, the members extending upwardly and inwardly from the legs, and defining the dimension of a roof space 250. The configuration of the 0 roof members defines a pitch roof structure and as the roof members do not cross the interior portion of the gazebo, this roof space is unobstructed by any of the members of the roof support structure. It is therefore freely accesible from within the gazebo and as show in Figure 8, s tall objects such as a parasol heater 230 may be provided within the gazebo with components of the heater, the parasol dish 231, occupying portions of the roof space 250.

Desirably four roof members are provided, each roof member 3() being coupled to a leg of the gazebo frame such that the apex defines a pyramid configuration. In a preferred embodiment, and as shown in Figure 7 with reference to one of the roof members, each of the roof members is segmented into at least two roof member segments 121a, 121b. The individual roof member segments are desirably interconnectable such that a portion 128 of a first segment 121b is receivable within a portion 129 of a second segment 121a. A connection between dismantled non-interconnected segments is maintained by a linking member 190. The linking member typically comprises a chain having a series of interconnected links. At least one of the links is coupled to a first roof member segment and another of the links is coupled to a second roof member segment. The coupling is desirably provided in an interior portion of the individual lo segments such that on interconnection of two segments, as shown in Figure 1, the linking member coupling both is not visible.

As shown in Figure 8, the gazebo is provided with at least two portions 200, 210 of covering material. A first portion is dimensioned so as to be receivable on the apex 127 of the frame, and a second portion 210 is dimensioned so as to be receivable on the portion of the frame extending below the apex. When coupled to the frame an air gap 220 is 0> provided between the first and second portions. As shown in Figure 8, the air gap is effected by an overlap of the first and second portions. Preferably an upper region 210a of the second portion extends under a lower region 200a of the first portion. Each of the two portions are 2s individually attached to the frame and a gap of about 2-3 cm is maintained.

The frame is dimensioned, in preferred embodiments, so as to be suitable to receive a parasol heater 230 in an So interior portion 240 of the gazebo. The parasol heater is typically provided in a mid-portion of the gazebo such that a dish 231 of the parasol heater is positioned below the apex of the frame. The provision of the air gap between the first and second portions enables the escape of spent gas emitted from the parasol heater out of and away from the gazebo.

The words "comprises/comprising" and the words having/including'' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. 1(i

Claims

Claims 1. A gazebo having a frame with: a) a pitch roof support structure

b) a plurality of legs adapted to support the roof support structure, and wherein the roof support structure and the plurality of legs are configured to be collapsible such that the roof support structure is foldable into a space defined by the plurality of legs and wherein on assembly the roof support structure is provided about a perimeter of the gazebo, thereby defining an unobstructed interior roof space, such that in use objects may be provided within the gazebo which extend Is into the roof space.
2. The gazebo as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of legs has a base portion adapted to support the gazebo frame and an upper portion, the So upper portion having coupling means adapted to couple the legs to the roof support structure.
3. The gazebo as claimed in claim 2 wherein the roof support structure is hingably attached to an upper 2s portion of each of the legs.
4. The gazebo as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each of the legs is extendible, such that the height of the leg can be varied. At)
5. The gazebo as claimed in claim 4 wherein the legs are telescopic, each leg having at least two members, a first member being receivable within a second member.
6. The gazebo as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an upper portion of a first leg is coupled to an upper portion of a second leg by a transverse linking member. s
7. The gazebo as claimed in claim 6 wherein, in an erect position of the gazebo frame, the transverse linking member is orientated to be substantially parallel to the ground. 1()
8. The gazebo as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein each transverse linking member is hingably coupled to two legs.

Is
9. The gazebo as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the transverse linking member comprises at least two segments, a first transverse linking member segment being pivotably coupled relative to a second transverse member linking segment. Eli
10. The gazebo as claimed in claim 9 wherein, in a dismantled condition of the gazebo frame, the first segments are foldable relative to one another, and wherein, in an erect position, a movement of a first is segment relative to the second segment is obviated by a fixing member, the fixing member being adapted to inter-engage with the first and second member.
11. The gazebo as claimed in claim 10 wherein the fixing 3) member is a tubular member adapted to be moveable along a first segment so as to overlap with the second segment, the overlap of the fixing member with both the first and second segments restricting relative movement of the segments. As
12. The gazebo as claimed in claim 11 wherein the fixing member includes locking means adapted to enable a locking of the fixing member relative to the two segments.
13. The gazebo as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 12 further including a coupling member provided between each of the legs and the transverse member coupled thereto, the coupling member being hingably attached 1() to one of either the leg or transverse member and movably coupled to the other of the leg or transverse member.
14. The gazebo as claimed in claim 13 wherein the coupling Is member is hingably coupled to the transverse member and moveable along the leg, such movement being effected by provision of a sleeve extending about at least a portion of the exterior of the leg, the sleeve being hingably coupled to the coupling member, a 9' movement of the sleeve along the leg effecting a change in the angular orientation of the coupling member relative to the leg and transverse member.
15. The gazebo as claimed in claim 14 wherein the sleeve is provided with locking means, the locking means being adapted to maintain the orientation of the coupling member in a desired position.
16. The gazebo as claimed in any preceding claim wherein 3) the roof structure includes a plurality of roof members, each of the roof members being coupled to other roof members at a first portion and to a leg at a second portion. lS
17. The gazebo as claimed in claim 16 wherein the coupling of the roof members to one another defines an apex of the gazebo frame.

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18. The gazebo as claimed in claim 16 or 17 wherein four roof members are provided, each roof member being coupled to a leg of the gazebo frame such that the apex defines a pyramid configuration.

t,
19. The gazebo as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein each of the roof members is segmented into at least two roof member segments.
20. The gazebo as claimed in claim 19 wherein the Is individual roof member segments are interconnectable such that a portion of a first segment is receivable within a portion of a second segment.
21. The gazebo as claimed in claim 20 wherein a connection JO between dismantled non-interconnected segments is maintained by a linking member.
22. The gazebo as claimed in claim 21 wherein the linking member comprises a chain having a series of interconnected links, at least one of the links being coupled to a first roof member segment and another of the links being coupled to a second roof member segment.

JO
23. The gazebo as claimed in claim 22 wherein the coupling is provided in an interior portion of the individual segments such that on interconnection of two segments, the linking member coupling both is not visible.
24. The gazebo as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising at least two portions of covering material, a first portion being dimensioned so as to be receivable on an apex of the frame, and a second portion being dimensioned so as to be receivable on the portion of the frame extending below the apex.
25. The gazebo as claimed in claim 24 wherein, when coupled to the frame, an air gap is provided between lti the first and second portions.
26. The gazebo as claimed in claim 25 wherein the air gap is effected by an overlap of the first and second portions.
27. The gazebo as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the frame is configured such that movement of any one component of the frame effects a movement of a second component. 9(}
28. The gazebo as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the frame is dimensioned so as to be suitable to receive a parasol heater in an interior portion of the gazebo, the parasol heater being typically provided in os a mid-portion of the gazebo such that the parasol dish is positioned below an apex of the frame.
29. A gazebo substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in any one of the fin accompanying drawings.

TOMKINS & CO