Modular furniture system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11214954
  • Patent Number
    11,214,954
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, April 15, 2020
    4 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 4, 2022
    2 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Original Assignees
    • 2724889 ONTARIO INC.
  • Examiners
    • Ford; Gisele D
    Agents
    • Bhole IP Law
    • Bhole; Anil
    • Lampert; Marc
Abstract
A modular framework having a plurality of elongate structural members interconnected by brackets is provided. Each of the brackets includes at least one tubular socket to receive a structural member, and an array of holes is provided on a face of the socket to permit connection of an attachment to the bracket to support ancillary components.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modular furniture system, primarily, though not exclusively for outdoor use.


DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The benefit of being able to spend time outdoors is well known but in a modern urban environment these benefits are not always readily available. It is recognised that excessive exposure to sun can be detrimental but natural shade is not always available. Similarly, relaxing in a hammock is an idyllic way to enjoy the outdoors but a hammock requires robust support to be safe and this is not always available.


Various attempts have been made to provide an enjoyable outdoor environment, such as pergolas to provide shade and dedicated free standing support frames for hammocks. These are effective but in the case of a pergola it is necessary to construct a dedicated structure that is not readily moved or stored. Whilst kits are available they consist of precut or prefabricated wooden components that require specialised tools and expertise to assemble.


Similarly, the support frame for a hammock is cumbersome and has a significant footprint even when not in use.


It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above disadvantages.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, the present invention provides a modular frame work having a plurality of elongate structural members interconnected by brackets. Each of the brackets includes at least one tubular socket to receive a structural member. An array of holes is provided on a face of the socket to permit connection of an attachment to the bracket to support ancillary components.


Preferably, the array of holes is arranged in two parallel rows spaced from one another with the holes in each row uniformly spaced apart to define a grid.


The brackets may also have a plurality of orthogonally disposed sockets with an array of holes on inwardly directed faces of respective sockets.


As a further preference, the sockets are rectilinear in cross section.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:



FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame work to provide shade



FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a frame work similar to FIG. 1 in which support for a hammock is provided,



FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the framework of FIG. 1 used to provide shade and privacy;



FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a framework connected to a surrounding structure;



FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a framework providing support for a pergola;



FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an expanded framework similar to FIG. 2,



FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 showing a further expansion of the framework



FIG. 8 is a view of the framework of FIG. 1 with an alternate fastening



FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the frame shown in FIG. 4 expanded.



FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bracket used in the framework of FIG. 1



FIG. 11 is a plan view of one corner of the framework of FIG. 1,



FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a hanger used in the corner shown in FIG. 11



FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a foot used in FIG. 1



FIG. 14 is a plan view of a collar used in the embodiment of FIG. 2



FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the collar of FIG. 14



FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a clip used in the framework of FIG. 3



FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a bracket connecting 4 structural members,



FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a connector for joining structural members, and,



FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a bracket to connect 5 structural members orthogonally.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a modular framework 10 is used to support a shade cloth 12 to provide a shaded area. The framework 10 consists of a plurality of elongate structural members 14 that are connected at the interstices of the framework 10 by brackets 16. The number of structural members 14 an their orientation will depend on the structure required, as illustrated in the alternative embodiments below, and similarly the number and configuration of the brackets 16 will depend on the form of the structure 10.


Each of the structural members 14 is formed from a dimensional material, typically wood although other materials such as metal or plastics could be used. Preferably, the members 14 are a weather resistant wood in a readily available cross section such as a nominal 4″×4′ pressure treated lumber or cedar. Alternative dimensions may be used, such as a nominal 6″×6″ lumber or an extruded aluminum 2×2 or 3×3 section.


The brackets 16 are formed from metal and have different configurations depending on the number of members 14 to be connected. The brackets 16 have a socket 18 for each of the members to be connected. As can be seen in FIG. 10, a corner bracket 16 to join three members orthogonally has three sockets 18 disposed along orthogonal axes, labelled X, Y, Z. Each of the sockets 18 has an internal dimension corresponding to the external dimension of the structural member 14. Thus, if the bracket 16 is to be used in a framework formed by nominal 4×4 lumber, the socket 18 will be a square cross section dimensioned to snugly receive the structural member 14.


Each of the sockets 18 is formed with 4 planar faces 20. Inwardly directed faces, that is those that are directed toward another face, as indicated at 20a, have an array 22 of holes 24 that extend through to the interior of the socket 18. The array 22 is formed by two rows of four holes 24 that are spaced from one another to provide a grid. It will be appreciated of course that other configurations of array could be used.


Referring again to FIG. 1, the structural members 14 are inserted in to the sockets 18 to provide four legs 14a and four stringers 14b so the legs 14a are disposed at the corners of a rectangle. The members 14 are secured to the respective brackets 16 by screws passing through the distal holes 24a and in to the structural member 14, so that a rigid framework 10 is provided. It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the stringers 14b may be chosen to suit the area to be covered simply by cutting the stringers 14b to the required length.


The array 22 of holes 24 is also used to attach the shade cloth 12 to the framework 10. As can be seen in FIG. 11, a hanger 26 extends between a pair of inwardly directed faces 20a and supports an elastic loop 28 secured to a corner of the shade cloth 12 or side panel 70 described below. The hanger 26 is shown in FIG. 12 and has a central body 30 with a pair of end tabs 32 disposed at 45 degrees to the body 30. A hole 34 is formed in each of the end tabs 32. The spacing between the holes 34 is such that they align with holes 24 in adjacent faces 20a so that the hanger may be secured to each of the faces with a screw 36. The screw passes through the hole 24 and in to the member 14 to effect a secure fastening. If preferred, the screws may be self-tapping and dimensioned to engage with the holes 24 as they are inserted to provide a further fastening, but generally the fastening in to the structural member 14 is sufficient. Thus the shade cloth is secured to the framework 10 at each corner and may be readily removed if required by simply releasing the loop 28 while leaving the hanger 26 in situ.


In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the lower end of legs 14a is located to the substrate by feet 40 shown in greater detail in FIG. 13. The feet 40 each have a socket 18 that is secured to a plate 42. The socket 18 has an array of holes 24 formed on one of its faces 20 to allow the foot 40 to be secured to the leg 14a. The plate 40 has bolt holes 44 at each apex to allow the foot to be secured to the substrate if required.


It will be appreciated that the framework 10 may be easily disassembled for storage and different lengths of structural members used for different situations.


A further embodiment of framework is shown in FIG. 2 in which like reference numerals will be used to denote like components. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the feet 40 are replaced with corner brackets 16 and stringers 14b inserted to provide a lower peripheral rim. The frame work 10 thus forms a self supporting cube. As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the shade cloth 12 is secured using hangers 26.


The rigidity of the frame work 10 permits a hammock, 50 to be secured to the legs 14a using a collar 52 shown in greater detail in FIGS. 14 and 15. Collar 52 has an open band 54 with 4 faces 56. The band is dimensioned to fit around the structural member 14 and has a pair of devises 58 projecting from opposite ends of the band 54. A mounting hole 60 is formed in each clevis. The faces 56 adjacent the devises 58 are provided with an array of holes 62 that are arranged as a 2×2 grid and of similar size to the holes 24 in the brackets 16.


The collar 52 may be slid along the leg 14a to the required position and screws inserted through the holes 62 to secure the collar in position. Typically, the collar 52 will be located on the leg 14a before assembly of the stringers but mat be retroactively fitted or removed by opening the band 52 to allow the leg 14a to pass between the devises 58. With the collar located and secured at the required height, the hammock 50 mat be attached to the hole 60 in the clevis using a ring or other suitable fastener. The rigid framework 10 provides a secure attachment for the hammock and the array of holes 62 in the faces of the collar 52 ensures a secure location on the legs 14a.


The framework 10 of FIG. 1, or that of FIG. 2 is extra rigidity is required, may also be used to provide side walls as shown in FIG. 3. In the arrangement of FIG. 3, side screens 70 are secured within the vertical apertures formed by a pair of legs 14a and a pair of stringers 14b. A mounting clip 72, shown in greater detail in FIG. 16, is used at each corner and mid span as necessary. The clip 72 is similar to the hanger 26 described above but tabs 74 are oriented parallel with the body 76. Holes 78 are spaced so that they align with a pair of holes in a row on the array of one socket and thus provide a mounting point on either the horizontal or vertical face of the corner bracket 16. The clips 72 are positioned at each corner of the side screens 70, as shown in FIG. 13, and allow the screens to be attached within the apertures. The clips 72 may be attached to either row of holes 24 in the array allowing the side screen to be inset or offset relative to the members 14.


In the above embodiments, the framework 10 is freestanding. However, as shown in FIG. 4. The corner brackets 16 and feet 40 may be used with a surrounding structure to provide a shaded area. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a pair of legs 14a is used in combination with a pair of stringers 14b to provide an L-shaped frame work. Feet 40 are mounted on the ends of the legs 14a and the stringers to connect the legs 14a to a base B and the stringers to a wall W. A shade cloth 12 is supported by the stringer 14b to provide shade. The connection of the shade cloth to the corner brackets 16 is by way of the hangers 26 as described above. To connect the shade cloth 12 adjacent the wall W, the clip 72 is secured to the array 24 provided on one of the faces 20 of the foot 40. In this case, the face with the array is directed toward the other stringer so the shade cloth may lie within the plane of the stringers.


Each of the above embodiments has used a shade cloth 12 to provide shade. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the stringers 14b are used to support vertical planks at spaced intervals to form a pergola.


The framework 10 may be used in combination with other frameworks to provide larger structures. As seen in FIG. 6, a pair of structures as shown in FIG. 1 are arranged side by side to provide an enlarged framework. The array of holes at each bracket 16 is available to permit shade cloth or side walls to be attached to the stringers, and of course hammocks can be secured to either or both sets of legs 14a.


Similarly, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, an open framework as shown in FIG. 1 is connected end to end. In these embodiments, as shown in FIG. 17 the corner bracket 16 is arranged to connect four elongate members 14 on orthogonal axes by proving a socket 18 extending to both sides of the node of the bracket 16. Each of the inwardly directed faces 20a has an array of holes 24 to permit attachment of shade cloth or side walls as required.


The bracket 16 shown in FIG. 17 may also be used with the framework shown in FIG. 4 to provide an extended L-shaped framework support by a wall W.


The feet 40 may be adapted for use on soil or sand by providing spikes extending from the sockets 18, as shown in FIG. 9.


The versatility of the framework 10 may be increased by using the connector 80 shown in FIG. 18 to connect a pair of structural members 14 at right angles to one another. The connector 80 has a body defined by a square peripheral wall 82 which is dimensioned to fit over one end of a structural member and a tongue 84 projects from one of the faces of the wall. One face of the wall 82 and the tongue 84 have a 2×2 array of holes 24 so that the body may be secured to one end and the tongue used for connection to another structural member. In this way, as shown in FIG. 18, horizontal rails can be secured between legs 14a and/or pickets can be secured to rails or stringers.


A further embodiment of connector 16 is shown in FIG. 19 that is used to connect 5 structural members 14. Four of the sockets 18 lie in a common plane and the fifth socket 18 is orthogonal to the other sockets. Each of the planar faces 20 of the fifth socket has an array 22 of hole 24 to allow corner hangers 26 or clips 72 to be secured.


In each of the above embodiments it will be recognised that the provision of the array of holes in the inwardly directed faces of the connectors 16 permits not only the structural members to be secured to the brackets for a robust framework, but also allows ancillary components, such as hangers and clips to be attached in a simple manner in a variety of orientations to allow attachment of accessories. The grid defined by the two rows of holes 24 allows base plates of accessories such as light fittings to be secured to the connectors and thereby add to the versatility. The framework is readily disassembled and reconfigured for different purposes or for storage.


The brackets 16 are made from steel or aluminum and can be constructed by welding tubular sections to one another or, preferably, by folding a metal blank in to the required configuration. Where the brackets are folded, it is preferred that the free ends of the blank are mechanically interlocked, such as by a dovetail, after folding to maintain the folded blank in the correct configuration for welding the free ends to one another.


Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto. The entire disclosures of all references recited above are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims
  • 1. A structure having a frame defined by a plurality of elongate structural members, said structural members including a plurality of vertically extending posts and a plurality of longitudinal stringers extending between said posts, an upper end of each of said posts being connected to at least a pair of said longitudinal stringers by a bracket to define a corner of said frame, each bracket having a socket to receive an end of each of the structural members converging to the respective corner, said structure further including a plurality of collars each extending about a respective one of the posts and adjustable along the length of the post to be located at a required height between opposite ends of the post, each collar having an attachment point to allow attachment of a cloth panel to the collar, and a cloth panel secured to each of the collars at said attachment point and extending between and supported by said posts intermediate the ends of said posts to provide a hammock spaced vertically from said stringers.
  • 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said collars are secured to said posts at said desired locations by fasteners extending through said collar and into said post.
  • 3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said collars are formed as bands extending about said posts to conform to the exterior surface of said post and said attachment point is formed at distal ends of said band.
  • 4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said distal ends of said band are juxtaposed and each has a hole therein to provide a clevis for attachment of said cloth panel.
  • 5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said post is polygonal in cross section and said distal ends of said band project from an apex of said polygon toward the interior of said frame.
  • 6. The structure of claim 5 wherein said post has a square cross section.
  • 7. The structure of claim 2 wherein said collar has contiguous planar faces and an array of holes is provided on at least one of said faces to receive said fasteners.
  • 8. The structure of claim 7 wherein said array of holes is arranged as a grid.
  • 9. The structure of claim 7 wherein an array of holes is provided on each of said planar faces.
  • 10. The structure of claim 1 wherein a hanger extends between a pair of said sockets connecting said longitudinal stringers at each corner and a shade cloth is connected to and extends between said hangers to provide a roof extending over and spaced from said hammock.
  • 11. The structure of claim 10 wherein each socket has a face inwardly directed toward a face of an adjacent socket to provide pairs of opposed faces on each of said brackets, and said hanger extends between a pair of opposed faces on said brackets.
  • 12. The structure of claim 11 including holes in said pairs of opposed faces to accommodate a fastener to secure respective ones of the structural members to the bracket.
  • 13. The structure of claim 12 wherein a plurality of holes is provided in each of said opposed faces and said hanger is secured to said socket through one of said holes and said bracket is fastened to said structural member through another of said holes.
  • 14. The structure of claim 13 wherein said holes are arranged as an array having two rows of holes spaced apart to define a grid.
  • 15. The structure of claim 1 wherein a hanger extends between a pair of said sockets connecting one of said longitudinal stringers and one of said posts at each corner and a cloth panel is connected to and extends between said hanger and an attachment point on said post to provide a side panel extending generally perpendicular to said hammock.
  • 16. The structure of claim 1 wherein the lower end of said posts is secured in a foot having a socket attached to substrate.
  • 17. The structure of claim 16 wherein said foot has a base plate extending laterally from the socket.
  • 18. The structure of claim 17 wherein said foot has a planar face and an array of holes on said planar face.
  • 19. The structure of claim 18 wherein a clip is secured to said array of holes to provide an attachment point for a side panel extending from a corner to said foot.
  • 20. The structure of claim 1 wherein the lower end of each of said posts is received in a socket of a bracket and longitudinal members are received in orthogonal sockets of said bracket, said longitudinal members extending between brackets on respective ones of said posts to provide an enclosed frame.
  • 21. The structure of claim 20 wherein each socket of the bracket at the lower end of a post has a face inwardly directed toward a face of an adjacent socket to provide pairs of opposed faces on each of said brackets, and a hanger extends between a pair of opposed faces on said brackets.
  • 22. The structure of claim 21 including holes in said pairs of opposed faces to accommodate a fastener to secure respective ones of the structural members to the bracket.
  • 23. The structure of claim 22 wherein a plurality of holes is provided in each of said opposed faces and said hanger is secured to said socket through one of said holes and said bracket is fastened to said structural member through another of said holes.
  • 24. The structure of claim 23 wherein said holes are arranged as an array having two rows of holes spaced apart to define a grid.
US Referenced Citations (244)
Number Name Date Kind
451596 Longenecker May 1891 A
490122 Magargal Jan 1893 A
922215 Tuteur May 1909 A
949394 Daly Feb 1910 A
1097934 Price May 1914 A
1201159 Dettmer Oct 1916 A
1214738 Wolf Feb 1917 A
1441559 Jacob Jan 1923 A
1816049 Larner Jul 1931 A
1848085 Eisenschmidt Mar 1932 A
2016702 Harry Oct 1935 A
2037736 Payne et al. Apr 1936 A
2153547 Charlop Apr 1939 A
2225599 Zillig Dec 1940 A
D141423 Lewis May 1945 S
2477163 Barnett Jul 1949 A
D178316 Vegors Jul 1956 S
2869693 Wood Jan 1959 A
2931129 Boniface Apr 1960 A
3188696 Earhart Jun 1965 A
3229004 Lewine Jan 1966 A
3252287 Suzuki May 1966 A
3278149 Brucker Oct 1966 A
3294298 Danielson Dec 1966 A
3310324 Boden Mar 1967 A
3352491 Nelson Nov 1967 A
3369333 Wheeler Feb 1968 A
3462021 Hawke Aug 1969 A
3537221 Helfman et al. Nov 1970 A
3545796 Nicholls Dec 1970 A
3615110 Fugate Oct 1971 A
3740084 Tellberg Jun 1973 A
D232201 Hoffman Jul 1974 S
3829999 Bernstein Aug 1974 A
3907445 Wendt Sep 1975 A
3945741 Wendt Mar 1976 A
3989398 Wendt Nov 1976 A
D245649 Hughes Sep 1977 S
4046186 Nordstrom Sep 1977 A
4046295 Eichler Sep 1977 A
4076431 Burvall Feb 1978 A
D250240 Braginetz Nov 1978 S
D250241 Braginetz Nov 1978 S
4125973 Lendrihas Nov 1978 A
4125984 Jonas Nov 1978 A
4133151 Burvall Jan 1979 A
D251018 Lockwood Feb 1979 S
D258194 Stanley Feb 1981 S
4313688 Daniels Feb 1982 A
D264481 Russo May 1982 S
4381629 Ahn May 1983 A
4422792 Gilb Dec 1983 A
4429730 Elston Feb 1984 A
D275264 Wegener Aug 1984 S
D277819 Crosslen Mar 1985 S
D280466 Seltzer et al. Sep 1985 S
4572695 Gilb Feb 1986 A
4594017 Hills Jun 1986 A
4616950 Morris Oct 1986 A
4630550 Weitzman Dec 1986 A
D289605 Lytle May 1987 S
4665672 Commins et al. May 1987 A
4717279 Commins Jan 1988 A
D294805 Boyer Mar 1988 S
4801121 Zunker Jan 1989 A
4856252 Cornell Aug 1989 A
4885883 Wright Dec 1989 A
4910939 Cavanagh Mar 1990 A
4919394 Otte et al. Apr 1990 A
4925141 Classen May 1990 A
D310760 Murphy Sep 1990 S
4991726 Johnson Feb 1991 A
D318569 Schaefer Jul 1991 S
5033901 Dias Jul 1991 A
5072465 Lyons, Jr. Dec 1991 A
5104252 Colonias et al. Apr 1992 A
5150982 Gilb Sep 1992 A
5186571 Hentzschel Feb 1993 A
5192056 Espinueva Mar 1993 A
5238321 Jarjoura Aug 1993 A
5259685 Gilb Nov 1993 A
D342328 Granstrom Dec 1993 S
D342662 Lavin, Sr. et al. Dec 1993 S
5284311 Baer Feb 1994 A
5375384 Wolfson Dec 1994 A
D355349 Taparauskas Feb 1995 S
D356646 Cole Mar 1995 S
RE34892 Dunwoodie Apr 1995 E
D361462 Newham Aug 1995 S
D365714 Masello Jan 1996 S
5490523 Mallookis Feb 1996 A
D370681 Diamond Jun 1996 S
5555681 Cawthorn Sep 1996 A
D374937 Salas Oct 1996 S
5590974 Yang Jan 1997 A
D398219 Campman Sep 1998 S
5941183 Ming-Shun Aug 1999 A
5941527 Selton Aug 1999 A
D426041 Boghossian May 2000 S
D427810 Ali et al. Jul 2000 S
6092342 Sharapata Jul 2000 A
6109461 Kluge et al. Aug 2000 A
D430789 Opperman Sep 2000 S
D434880 McNary et al. Dec 2000 S
D439246 Hansen Mar 2001 S
D442236 Chang May 2001 S
6230466 Pryor May 2001 B1
6247869 Lichvar Jun 2001 B1
D444816 Stravitz Jul 2001 S
6354451 Holst Mar 2002 B1
D455643 Aubin Apr 2002 S
6463711 Callies Oct 2002 B1
D465646 Hendrickson Nov 2002 S
6536179 Little Mar 2003 B2
D492040 Kozak Jun 2004 S
6745521 Klemming Jun 2004 B1
6751921 Iwakawa Jun 2004 B1
D493091 Griggy Jul 2004 S
D508572 Suggate Aug 2005 S
6969211 Altman Nov 2005 B2
7014383 Schmid et al. Mar 2006 B2
7231954 Green Jun 2007 B2
D547863 Heinsch Jul 2007 S
D548064 Norton Aug 2007 S
D558041 Skinner Dec 2007 S
7431389 Reeb Oct 2008 B2
7464513 Rioux Dec 2008 B2
D598734 Miranda et al. Aug 2009 S
7600348 Kostka Oct 2009 B1
D619879 McCarthy et al. Jul 2010 S
D622864 Bajrami Aug 2010 S
D650987 Rothbauer Dec 2011 S
D658491 Raber May 2012 S
D665656 Anzelmo Aug 2012 S
8234826 Proffitt Aug 2012 B1
D673306 Min-Ju Dec 2012 S
8429857 Melose Apr 2013 B2
D689045 Mardas Sep 2013 S
D689207 Benet Sep 2013 S
8572905 Driggers Nov 2013 B1
D701108 Rodgers Mar 2014 S
8689494 Leavitt Apr 2014 B2
8720129 Sias et al. May 2014 B2
8739476 Royer Jun 2014 B1
8769887 Proffitt Jul 2014 B2
8870163 Regan Oct 2014 B2
8925893 Biedenweg et al. Jan 2015 B2
D726342 Rodriguez Apr 2015 S
D727143 Gomez Apr 2015 S
9091037 Fairbairn Jul 2015 B2
D737670 Beyerle et al. Sep 2015 S
9144291 Huang Sep 2015 B2
D744319 White Dec 2015 S
9228338 Lin Jan 2016 B2
D749597 Wengreen Feb 2016 S
9388540 Koering Jul 2016 B2
D768466 Simmons et al. Oct 2016 S
D769470 Criscione et al. Oct 2016 S
D775512 White Jan 2017 S
D776965 Anderson Jan 2017 S
D783390 Nelson Apr 2017 S
9631770 Holestine Apr 2017 B2
D805218 Malone Dec 2017 S
9856640 Shuhaibar Jan 2018 B2
D820359 Deemer Jun 2018 S
D822454 Kanter Jul 2018 S
D824399 Wengreen Jul 2018 S
10024046 Higginbotham Jul 2018 B2
10030408 Crandall et al. Jul 2018 B2
D825967 Tolokan et al. Aug 2018 S
D826695 Bolster Aug 2018 S
D827414 Macdonald et al. Sep 2018 S
D832858 Wengreen Nov 2018 S
D834396 Macdonald Nov 2018 S
10202766 Fox Feb 2019 B1
D842684 House Mar 2019 S
D845116 Wokutch Apr 2019 S
D845310 Wengreen Apr 2019 S
D845959 Wengreen Apr 2019 S
D846369 Ni Apr 2019 S
D846370 Ni Apr 2019 S
D852788 Kanter Jul 2019 S
D854191 Sorensen Jul 2019 S
D854710 Hendry Jul 2019 S
D856282 Pillsbury Aug 2019 S
D856781 Hendry et al. Aug 2019 S
D859958 Ni Sep 2019 S
10422140 Mitchell Sep 2019 B2
D866465 Harrison Nov 2019 S
10480177 Siddhartha et al. Nov 2019 B2
D870544 Lai et al. Dec 2019 S
10518596 Aitoh et al. Dec 2019 B2
10597899 Crandall et al. Mar 2020 B2
D887025 Styrc et al. Jun 2020 S
10697198 Crandall et al. Jun 2020 B2
10760298 Crandall et al. Sep 2020 B2
D901929 Mccune et al. Nov 2020 S
D905067 Wengreen Dec 2020 S
D905068 Wengreen Dec 2020 S
D905069 Wengreen Dec 2020 S
D912469 Fox Mar 2021 S
10975584 Brownmiller et al. Apr 2021 B2
D918010 Lynn et al. May 2021 S
D920728 Scott Jun 2021 S
D929611 Styrc et al. Aug 2021 S
11098476 Jin et al. Aug 2021 B2
20030101677 Hewett Jun 2003 A1
20040170471 Wadsworth et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040182430 Seo Sep 2004 A1
20060029462 Patberg Feb 2006 A1
20060130887 Mallookis Jun 2006 A1
20060185706 Slade Aug 2006 A1
20060193687 Ghosh Aug 2006 A1
20060260259 Morse Nov 2006 A1
20070209312 Keys et al. Sep 2007 A1
20070266647 Pedersen et al. Nov 2007 A1
20080110583 Lallemand May 2008 A1
20080178551 Porter Jul 2008 A1
20080229678 Goddard Sep 2008 A1
20110179741 Yen Jul 2011 A1
20110258941 Dalo Oct 2011 A1
20110308063 Feeleus Dec 2011 A1
20130036702 Paceti et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130232758 Pond Aug 2013 A1
20130247499 Zimmerman et al. Sep 2013 A1
20130276382 Workman Oct 2013 A1
20130306808 Huang Nov 2013 A1
20140082921 Adams Mar 2014 A1
20150020857 Dominick Jan 2015 A1
20150152630 Winter Jun 2015 A1
20160168840 Monty et al. Jun 2016 A1
20170089059 Farre Berga Mar 2017 A1
20170233996 Abernathy et al. Aug 2017 A1
20170314254 Houghton et al. Nov 2017 A1
20180070709 Ketcher Mar 2018 A1
20180135295 Bowron May 2018 A1
20180135296 Brekke May 2018 A1
20180230664 Dominguez Aug 2018 A1
20180238041 Styrc Aug 2018 A1
20190078313 Morgan Mar 2019 A1
20190226201 Nguyen Jul 2019 A1
20190271146 Fox Sep 2019 A1
20190277022 Francis Sep 2019 A1
20200375366 Chen Dec 2020 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (14)
Number Date Country
3007687 Dec 2018 CA
2492408 Aug 2012 EP
3456990 Mar 2019 EP
2300863 Sep 1976 FR
2579720 Oct 1986 FR
2991304 Dec 2013 FR
422765 Jan 1935 GB
910183 Nov 1962 GB
S5217102 Feb 1977 JP
1997268655 Oct 1997 JP
201656696 Apr 2016 WO
2016178637 Nov 2016 WO
2019048362 Mar 2019 WO
2021094982 May 2021 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (19)
Entry
International Search Report of the International Searching Authority for PCT/CA2018/050169, Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Lily Truong, Canada, dated Jun. 21, 2018.
Office action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/815,973, United States Patent & Trademark Office, dated Aug. 15, 2018.
Office action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/815,973, United States Patent & Trademark Office, dated Mar. 19, 2019.
Office action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/485,272, United States Patent & Trademark Office, dated Dec. 19, 2019.
Office action for U.S. Appl. No. 29/635,278, United States Patent & Trademark Office, dated Sep. 17, 2019.
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/815,973, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Ford, Gisele D., dated Nov. 17, 2017.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for PCT/CA2018/050169, Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Lily Truong, Canada, dated Jun. 21, 2018.
Office action for U.S. Appl. No. 29/635,278, United States Patent & Trademark Office, dated Feb. 14, 2020.
Pergola CUBIC 3-way corner bracket for 7×7 cm post-beam https://www.vinuovo.com/en/pergola-cubic-way-corner-bracket-for-7×7-94058077.html#reviews Aug. 1, 2019 (Year: 2019).
Toja Grid TRIO 2 Pack for 6×6 Wood G0210360-2 https://www.patioproductions.com/toja-grid-trio-2-pack-for-6×6-wood-g0210360-2.html Date Unknown.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 29/635,278, United States Patent & Trademark Office, dated May 7, 2020.
Notice of References Cited for U.S. Appl. No. 29/635,278, United States Patent & Trademark Office, dated May 7, 2020.
Extended European Search Report for 18757067.6, European Patent Office, dated Jul. 23, 2020.
“Office Action for JP 2021-002877”.
“Office Action for JP 2021-002878”.
“Office Action for JP 2021-002873”.
“Office Action for JP 2021-002874”.
“Office Action for JP 2021-002875”.
“Office Action for JP 2021-002876”.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20200240130 A1 Jul 2020 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
62461308 Feb 2017 US
Continuations (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 16485272 US
Child 16849075 US
Parent 15815973 Nov 2017 US
Child 16485272 US