IL283944B2

IL283944B2 - Visual barriers

Info

Publication number: IL283944B2
Application number: IL283944A
Authority: IL
Inventors: Yaron Binyamin
Original assignee: Tamnun Hop Ltd; Yaron Binyamin
Priority date: 2021-06-13
Filing date: 2021-06-13
Publication date: 2023-07-01
Also published as: IL283944A; IL283944B1

Description

283944/ Patent Application VISUAL BARRIERS TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The invention relates generally to the visual barriers, in particular visual barriers for residential buildings. BACKGROUND [0002] The use of visual barriers is commonplace in residential construction, so as to hide, hanging laundry and air conditioning units, without limitation. Various products are available on the market both as fixed visual barriers and as retractable visual barriers. In certain jurisdictions, standards may exist for such visual barriers. For example, in Israel the Standards Institution of Israel has promulgated standard 51addressed to visual barriers in residential buildings. [0003] Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one such fixed visual barrier, which requires a pair of channels, for which matching slots have been cut to receive a matching barrier member. This requires a large up-front investment in pre-cutting channels, which can be quite costly. In particular, a stencil is supplied to mark the intended locations of the barrier member, and then the slots are cut in the channel in accordance with the stencil. The channels are then screwed to the wall running vertically, at great expense. It is noted that the channels are typically made of aluminum which may react over time with the metal anchoring screws causing corrosion. [0004] What is desired is a reduced cost visual barrier. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of prior art. This is provided in the present disclosure by a visual barrier comprising: a pair of vertical support members, each vertical support member comprising a c-shaped upper catch member and a c-shaped lower catch member, an opening of the c-shaped upper catch member exhibiting an upper catch and facing an opening of the c-shaped lower catch member, the opening of the c-shaped lower catch member exhibiting a lower catch; and a horizontal member having a base member with a leading tab and a trailing tab at opposing ends of the base member, the trailing tab arranged to be inserted within the opening of the c-shaped lower catch member and to be secured therein by the lower catch, the leading tab arranged to be 283944/ inserted within the opening of the c-shaped upper catch member and be secured therein by the upper catch, the horizontal member having a visual member arranged to extend away from the pair of vertical support members [0006] Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout. [0008] With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings: [0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fixed visual barrier according to the prior art; [0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic side view of an example vertical support member, arranged for vertical modular assembly; [0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a first example horizontal member; [0012] FIGs. 4A – 4C illustrate steps in the assembly of a horizontal member within a vertical support member; [0013] FIG. 4D illustrates a front view of an assembly of horizontal member and a pair of vertical members; [0014] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a plurality of vertical support members modularly assembled into a single extended vertical support member; [0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a second example horizontal member; [0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a third example horizontal member; 283944/ id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17"

[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of a plurality of horizontal members, where the horizontal members exhibit solar panels on a side thereof; and [0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of a plurality of horizontal members and a pair of vertical members according to some embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0019] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. [0020] The embodiments herein provide for a reduced cost visual barrier, with many advantages, to be described further below. [0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic side view of an example vertical support member 10, arranged for vertical modular assembly. Vertical support member comprises, a top member 30, a bottom member 20 and a support member 40 located between an upper end 22 of bottom member 20 and lower end 32 of top member 30. Support member 40 comprises a C-shaped lower catch member 50, and a C-shaped upper catch member 60. [0022] Bottom member 20 exhibits a plurality of depressions 25 on a first face thereof, each spaced apart by a section of first face 23. Each of the depressions 25 exhibits a dome shaped structure 26 rising to the level of first face 23. In one example, the depressions 25 and dome shaped structures 26 are equally spaced along the length of bottom member 20. Second face 27 of bottom member 20 opposes first face 23 of bottom member 20, and defines a horizontal plane of vertical support member 10. The horizontal plane of vertical support member 10 is arranged to be secured to a building or other vertical structure, such as a square or rectangular tube. [0023] Top member 30 exhibits a plurality of depressions 36 on a first face thereof, each spaced apart by a section of first face 37. Each of depressions 36 are sized and configured to match with a respective dome shape structure 26 of bottom member 283944/ . Protrusions 38 on second face 39 of top member 30 provide structural strength for top member 30. [0024] C-shaped lower catch member 50 extends from upper end 22 of bottom member 20 and exhibits a lower hook section 64 facing c-shaped upper catch member 60. Lower hook section 64 forms a throat section 53 as a horizontal distance between a first face 58 of lower hook section 64 and a base extension 52 rising from a first face of support member 40, which throat section 53 exhibits a narrow opening facing c-shaped upper catch member 60. Lower hook section 64 proceeds from upper end 22 of bottom member 20 towards facing c-shaped upper catch member 60, forming an opening 57 as an extension of throat section 53, with opening 57 facing c-shaped upper catch member 60. An lower catch 55 extends from lower hook section 64 towards first face 42 of support member 40, with lower catch 55 located within opening 57, proximal c-shaped upper catch member 60 in relation to throat section 53. Protrusion 56 is located at the lower end of lower hook section 64, extending away from first face 42 of support member 40. Lower hook section 64 is thus distal of protrusion 56. [0025] C-shaped upper catch member 60 extends from upper end 32 of lower base member 30 and exhibits an upper hook section 64 facing c-shaped lower catch member 50. Upper hook section 64 forms a throat section 63 as a horizontal distance between a first face 62 of upper hook section 64 and first face 42 of support member 40, which throat section 63 exhibits an opening 65 facing c-shaped lower catch member 50. Upper hook section 64 proceeds from upper end 32 of lower base member towards c-shaped lower catch member 50. Protrusion 66 is located at the upper end of upper hook section 64, extending away from first face 42 of support member 40, and an upper catch 67 is located at the upper end of upper hook section 64 within opening 65, extending towards first face 42 of support member 40. In a certain embodiment, support member 40 has a support member jut protruding from first face 42. [0026] Support member 40 exhibits a second face 44 opposing first face 42, and a bend 46, such that the portion of support member 40, particularly first face 42 above bend 46, i.e. proximal of c-shaped lower catch member 50 is removed from the horizontal plane defined by second face 27 of bottom member 20 in the direction of lower hook section 64. The portion of support member 40, particularly first face 42, below bend 46, i.e. proximal of c-shaped upper catch member 60 runs along the horizontal plane defined by second face 27 of bottom member 20. [0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a first example horizontal member 100, arranged to be secured between a pair of vertical support members 10. Horizontal 35 283944/ member 100 comprises a base member 110, having a lower tab 120 and an upper tab 130, a support member 170 and a visual member 180. Visual member 180 is rectangular in cross section (but can be in other shapes and having other cross section views) extends at a right angle from base member 110. Visual member 180 is coupled to base member 110 by support member 170. Support member 170 extends from a first face 140 of base member 110. Lower tab 120 extends in the general direction of support member 170 from a first end of first face 140 of base member 110 and upper tab 1extends from a second end of first face 140 of base member 110. Base jut 160 extends from a central area of a second face 150 of base member 110, second face 150 opposing first face 140, particular opposing support member 170. [0028] FIGs. 4A – 4C illustrate steps in the assembly of horizontal member 1within a vertical support member 100. In FIG. 4A, upper tab 130 is urged within throat section 63 of c-shaped upper catch member 60, so that upper tab 130 is engaged with, and deeper within throat section 63 than, upper catch 67. Lower tab 120 is not engaged with c-shaped lower catch member 50. The clearance of upper catch 67 from first face 42 of support member 40 is less than the combination of the height of upper tab 1and the thickness of base member 110. Thus, upper hook section 64 acts as a spring, and lower tab 120 must be urged past upper catch 67, and once past upper catch 67, upper tab 130 is secured within throat section 63. Bend 46 ensures that horizontal member 100 is held at an appropriate angle from a plane defined by support member 40 at this stage. Thus, in step 4A, the upper tab 130 is inserted within the opening of the c-shaped upper catch member 60. [0029] In FIG. 4B, which follows the step of FIG. 4A, upper tab 130 is fully inserted within throat section 63, so that upper tab 130 contacts upper hook section 64, which acts as a rear stop. Lower tab 120 is not yet engaged with c-shaped lower catch member 50. Bend 46 continues to ensure that horizontal member 100 is held at an appropriate angle from a plane defined by support member 40. Thus, in step 4B, that the upper tab 130 is secured within c-shaped upper catch member 60 by applying an upward force to horizontal member 100 until upper tab 130 is secured by upper catch 67. [0030] In FIG. 4C, which follows the step of FIG. 4B, horizontal member 1is urged towards c-shaped lower catch member 50, so that lower tab 120 enters opening and lower tab 120 is urged to be engaged with lower catch 55. Lower tab 120 is unable to enter throat section 53, due to lower catch 55 until downward force is applied, and lower hook section 54 then acts a spring mechanism to enable lower tab 120 to 35 283944/ proceed past lower catch 55 in response to the applied downward force. The clearance of lower catch 55 from first face 42 of support member 40 is less than the combination of the height of lower tab 120 and the thickness of base member 110. Thus, lower tab 120 is secured within opening 57 by lower catch 55. Jut 160 forces upper tab 130 and lower tab 120 against upper hook section 64 and lower hook section 54, respectively, to ensure that horizontal member 100 securely locks in place. Once inserted, horizontal member 100 is secured to vertical support member by the operation of upper and lower catches 55, 67 in combination with lower tab 1and upper tab 130, respectively, assisted by jut 160. Visual member 180 extends away from vertical support member 100, generally at a right angle thereto, thus providing a visual barrier. Step 4C thus involves swinging the horizontal member 100 so that the respective lower tabs 120 are positioned adjacent the respective c-shaped lower catch member 50, and applying force to insert the respective lower tabs 120 within the opening 57 of the respective c-shaped lower catch member 50 and be secured therein by the lower catch 55. [0031] Thus, installation of horizontal member 100 comprises 2 steps of applying an upward force against horizontal member 100 to push horizontal member 100 into respective upper hook sections 64, until upper tab 130 is fully engaged, and then applying force against a lower section of horizontal member 100 so as to swing lower tab 120 against support member 40, and a downward force to slide horizontal member 100 into respective lower hook sections 54, until lower tab 120 is fully engaged. [0032] FIG. 4D illustrates a front view of an assembly of horizontal member 100 and a pair of vertical members 10, showing visual member 180 secured between respective c-shaped lower catch member 50 and c-shaped upper catch member 60. [0033] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a plurality of vertical support members 10, modularly assembled into a single extended vertical support member 500. Dome shaped structure 26 of bottom member 20 mate with depressions 36 of top member 30, so as to form extended vertical support member 500. There is no requirement that 100% of the dome shaped structures 26 mate with 100% of the depression 36, and thus the spacing between adjacent support members 40 can be easily set at installation. [0034] The above has been explained in relation to modular vertical support members 10, however those skilled in the art will recognize that single extended vertical support member, which is not composed of such modular vertical support members may be similarly constructed without exceeding the scope. 35 283944/ id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35"

[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a second example horizontal member 600, arranged to be secured between a pair of vertical support members 10 (not shown). Horizontal member 600 is arranged to curve away from base 110 and generally incline in the direction of upper tab 130. The extension of horizontal member 600 thus covers upper tab 130 as well as a portion of vertical support members 10 above upper tab 130. A surface of horizontal member 600, e.g. the surface facing upper tab 130, may be coated with solar panels so that at least a portion of an upper surface of horizontal member 600 is at least partially covered by one or more solar panels so as to further provide electrical generation. [0036] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a second example horizontal member 700, arranged to be secured between a pair of vertical support members 10 (no shown). Horizontal member 700 is arranged to proceed at a fixed angle from base 110 and generally incline in the direction of upper tab 130. The extension of horizontal member 700 thus covers upper tab 130 as well as a portion of vertical support members 10 above upper tab 130. A surface of horizontal member 700, e.g. the surface facing upper tab 130, may be coated with solar panels so that at least a portion of an upper surface of horizontal member 700 is covered by one or more one solar panels so as to further provide electrical generation to further provide electrical generation. [0037] Each of vertical support member 10, horizontal member 100, 600 or 7may be produced as an aluminum extrusion. A plurality of horizontal member 100, 600 or 700 may be arrange on an extended vertical support member, with the made up of a single extrusion, or a plurality of modular sections. In one non-limiting example, c-shaped lower catch member 50 and c-shaped upper catch member 60 are arranged such that horizontal members are connected with 2 – 5 cm of space between edges. [0038] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of a plurality of horizontal member 700 and a pair of vertical members 10, showing visual members 1each secured between respective c-shaped lower catch member 50 and c-shaped upper catch member 60, where the horizontal member 700 exhibit solar panels on a side thereof. [0039] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of a plurality of horizontal member 700 and a pair of vertical members 10, showing visual members 1each secured between respective c-shaped lower catch member 50 and c-shaped upper catch member 60 that horizontal members 100 are connected with 2 – 5 cm of space between edges thereof. Vertical members 10 are secured to vertical members, such as square tubes, which may be secured directly to a building wall, or secured to horizontal 35 283944/ cross members, which may be square tubes, the horizontal cross members secured directly to a structure, such as a building wall. [0040] The above enables a visual barrier without requiring cutting slots (for each and every horizontal member used) into a vertical channel, or the use of a stencil. The above enables a flexible and modular system, wherein the vertical distance between horizontal members can be selected in the field. This allows for an improved visual separation while avoiding a hot air vortex, such as one caused by an insufficient separation near an air conditioner. The above provides for a look that is free from an overabundance of unsightly screws. As described above, with the use of horizontal cross members (e.g. attached to vertical members 10, optionally secured to other vertical members such as square tubes, which may be secured directly to a building wall, and/or secured to horizontal cross members, which may be square tubes, the horizontal cross members secured directly to a structure, such as a building wall), covers any imperfection in straightness of the external wall to which it is attached. [0041] As indicated above, installation of the horizontal member (which may be modularly applied) is simple, with 2 steps of applying an upward force and then applying force against a lower section of horizontal member so as to swing it into place, and apply force to push it down until it is locked into place. [0042] The above may be used with varying vertical distance between groups of vertical members, or between individual vertical members, to cover, shade, and/or decorate external or internal walls. It may be used to cover or shade drying lines, air conditioners, solar water tanks, or personal hidden storage. The above may be used to create a fence between properties, thus provide an aesthetic visual barrier. The above may be used to provide a visual barrier to cover exhaust or smoke from residential or commercial buildings. As indicated above, the horizontal members may be provided with solar panels, so to additional provide electric power. [0043] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. [0044] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as are commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods similar or equivalent to those 283944/ described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods are described herein. [0045] All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will prevail. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. [0046] The terms "include", "comprise" and "have" and their conjugates as used herein mean "including but not necessarily limited to". [0047] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. 283944/

Claims

1./ C:UserskerenhAppDataRoamingiManageWorkRecent1 - ??? ?? ??? - 600068 _ 1 600068 _ 0001 Amended Claims Ver2 09 Nov 20clean(12641198.1).docx / CLAIMS 1. A modular visual barrier assembly comprising: a vertical support member comprising: an upper catch member with an upper catch and a lower catch member with a lower catch; a horizontal member comprising: a base member equipped with: an upper tab and a lower tab at opposing ends of the base member, the upper tab engageable with the upper catch of the upper catch member and the lower tab engageable with the lower catch of the lower catch member, a visual member coupled to the base member, and a base member jut extending from the base member, the base member jut forcing the upper tab against the upper catch member and the lower tab against the lower catch member when the base member jut is in abutment with the vertical support member and the upper tab is engaged by the upper catch and the lower tab is engaged by the lower catch so as to lock the horizontal member to the vertical support member.

2. The modular visual barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the visual member is coupled to the base member by a support member.

3. The modular visual barrier assembly according to claim 1, comprising a pair of vertical support members.

4. The modular visual barrier assembly according to claim 3, wherein the visual member is arranged to extend at a right angle to the pair of vertical support members.

5. The modular visual barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the visual member is arranged to curve away from the base and generally incline in the direction of the upper tab. - 2 - C:UserskerenhAppDataRoamingiManageWorkRecent1 - ??? ?? ??? - 600068 _ 1 600068 _ 0001 Amended Claims Ver2 09 Nov 20clean(12641198.1).docx /

6. The modular visual barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the visual member is arranged to proceed at a fixed angle from the base and generally incline in the direction of the upper tab.

7. The modular visual barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the vertical support member further comprising a series of dome structures disposed on a bottom member of the vertical support member, the dome structures having a surface geometry enabling mating of series of concave structures disposed on a top member of another vertical support member.

8. The modular visual barrier assembly according to claim 7, wherein the vertical support member further comprising a series of dome structures disposed on a top member of the vertical support member, the dome structures having a surface geometry enabling mating with a of series of dome structures disposed on a lower member of another vertical support member.

9. The modular visual barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly is arranged with dome shaped structures on a face of a top member of the vertical support member and depressions on a bottom member of the vertical support member, the dome shaped structures arranged to mate with the depressions so as to form a single extended vertical support member.

10. The modular visual barrier assembly according to any of claims 1 – 9, wherein a face of the visual member is at least partially coated with a solar panel.

11. The modular visual barrier assembly according to any of claims 1 – 10, wherein the vertical support member is formed as an aluminum extrusion.

12. The modular visual barrier assembly according to any of claims 1 – 11, wherein the visual member is formed as an aluminum extrusion.

13. A modular visual barrier assembly comprising: a vertical support member comprising: an upper catch member with an upper catch and a lower catch member with a lower catch, and a support member jut protruding from the vertical support member and positioned between the upper catch member and the lower catch member; a horizontal member comprising: a base member equipped with: - 3 - C:UserskerenhAppDataRoamingiManageWorkRecent1 - ??? ?? ??? - 600068 _ 1 600068 _ 0001 Amended Claims Ver2 09 Nov 20clean(12641198.1).docx / an upper tab and a lower tab at opposing ends of the base member, the upper tab engageable with the upper catch of the upper catch member and the lower tab engageable with the lower catch of the lower catch member, and a visual member coupled to the base member; wherein the support member jut forces the upper tab against the upper catch member and the lower tab against the lower catch member when the base member of the horizontal member is in abutment with the support member jut and the upper tab is engaged by the upper catch and the lower tab is engaged by the lower catch so as to lock the horizontal member to the vertical support member.

14. A method of providing a modular visual barrier assembly, the method comprising: providing a vertical support member comprising: an upper catch member with an upper catch and a lower catch member with a lower catch; providing a horizontal member comprising: a base member equipped with: an upper tab and a lower tab at opposing ends of the base member, the upper tab engageable with the upper catch of the upper catch member and the lower tab engageable with the lower catch of the lower catch member, a visual member coupled to the base member, a base member jut extending from the base member, the base member jut forcing the upper tab against the upper catch member and the lower tab against the lower catch member when the base member jut is in abutment with the vertical support member and the upper tab is engaged by the upper catch and the lower tab is engaged by the lower catch so as to lock the horizontal member to the vertical support member, inserting the upper tab of the base member into the upper catch member, so that the upper tab is secured therein by the upper catch; abutting the base member jut of the base member against the vertical support member; and sliding the horizontal member, so that the lower tab is positioned adjacent the lower catch member, until the lower tab of the horizontal member is engaged by the lower catch of the vertical support member and the upper tab of the horizontal member is engaged by the upper - 4 - C:UserskerenhAppDataRoamingiManageWorkRecent1 - ??? ?? ??? - 600068 _ 1 600068 _ 0001 Amended Claims Ver2 09 Nov 20clean(12641198.1).docx / catch of the vertical support member so as to lock the horizontal member into the vertical support member.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising mating a plurality of concave structures disposed in an upper member of the vertical support member with dome structures disposed in a lower member of another second vertical support member.

16. The method according to any one of claims 15 and 16 further comprising: pressing the base member of the horizontal member toward the vertical support member so as to disengage the upper tab of the horizontal member from the upper catch of the vertical support member; sliding the lower tab of the base member toward a throat of the upper catch member; and removing the lower tab from a throat of the lower catch member of the vertical support member.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the visual member is coupled to the base member by a support member.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the modular visual barrier assembly comprising a pair of vertical support members.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the visual member is arranged to extend at a right angle to the pair of vertical support members.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the visual member is arranged to curve away from the base and generally incline in the direction of the upper tab.

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein the visual member is arranged to proceed at a fixed angle from the base and generally incline in the direction of the upper tab.

22. The method according to claim 18, wherein the pair of vertical support members are each arranged as a vertical modular assembly.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein the vertical modular assembly is arranged with dome shaped structures on a face of a top member of the vertical support member and depressions on a bottom member of the vertical support member, the method further comprising mating the dome shaped structures with the depressions so as to form a single extended vertical support member.

24. The method to any of claims 14 – 23, further at least partially covering a face of the visual member with a solar panel. - 5 - C:UserskerenhAppDataRoamingiManageWorkRecent1 - ??? ?? ??? - 600068 _ 1 600068 _ 0001 Amended Claims Ver2 09 Nov 20clean(12641198.1).docx /

25. The method according to any of claims 14 – 23, further comprising forming the pair of vertical support members by extrusion.

26. The method according to 25, further comprising forming the visual member by extrusion.

27. The method according to any of claims 14 – 23, further comprising forming the visual member by extrusion.

28. The method according to any of claims 14 – 23, further comprising: securing each of the pair of vertical support members to a respective vertical member; and securing the respective vertical members to a plurality of horizontal members; and 29. securing the plurality of horizontal members to a structure.

29.A modular visual barrier assembly produced by the method according to any one of claims 14-28.

30. A method of providing a modular visual barrier assembly, the method comprising: providing a vertical support member comprising: an upper catch member with an upper catch and a lower catch member with a lower catch, and a support member jut protruding from the vertical support member and positioned between the upper catch member and the lower catch member; providing a horizontal member comprising: a base member equipped with: an upper tab and a lower tab at opposing ends of the base member, the upper tab engageable with the upper catch of the upper catch member and the lower tab engageable with the lower catch of the lower catch member, a visual member coupled to the base member, inserting the upper tab of the base member into the upper catch member, so that the upper tab is secured therein by the upper catch; abutting the base member of the horizontal member against the support member jut of the vertical support member; and sliding the lower tab of the horizontal member into the lower catch member until the lower tab of the horizontal member is engaged by the lower catch of the vertical support member and the upper tab of the horizontal member is engaged by the upper catch of the vertical support member so as to lock the horizontal member to the vertical support member. - 6 - C:UserskerenhAppDataRoamingiManageWorkRecent1 - ??? ?? ??? - 600068 _ 1 600068 _ 0001 Amended Claims Ver2 09 Nov 20clean(12641198.1).docx /

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising mating a plurality of concave structures disposed in an upper member of the vertical support member with dome structures disposed in a lower member of another vertical support member.

32. The method of any one of claims 30 and 31, further comprising: pressing the base member of the horizontal member toward the support member jut of the vertical support member so as to disengage the lower tab of the base member from the lower catch of the vertical support member; sliding the upper tab of the base member toward the upper catch member; and removing the lower tab from the lower catch member of the vertical support member.

33. The method of any one of claims 30-32, wherein a face of the visual member is at least partially coated with a solar panel.