Pergola assembly with profiles connected by slot and anchor coupling and related methods

Abstract

A pergola assembly includes hollow legs, each hollow leg having lower end to be adjacent to a surface, and an upper end opposite the lower end. The pergola assembly also includes first and second slat supporting members coupled between the upper ends of the hollow legs, and first and second cross members being transverse to the first and second slat supporting members and being coupled between the upper ends of the hollow legs. The pergola assembly also includes rotating slats extending between the first and second slat supporting members. Each upper end of the hollow legs comprises vertical slots on an inner surface thereof, and each of the first and second slat supporting members and the first and second cross members may have a vertically extending anchor to be received by the vertical slots in a respective hollow leg.

Description

PERGOLA ASSEMBLY WITH PROFILES CONNECTED BY SLOT AND ANCHOR COUPLING AND RELATED METHODSRelated Application

[0001] This application is based upon prior filed copending Application No. 63 / 581 ,856 filed September 11 , 2023, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of canopies, and, more particularly, to an outdoor canopy and related methods.Background

[0003] Many existing furniture pieces, especially in the case of increasing e- commerce applications, are often shipped in a dissembled state in separate packages. The users must then subsequently assemble the furniture pieces, and typically use screw type fasteners during the assembly. These approaches may have complicated assembly instructions, and may even require special tools for assembly, for example, power tools and specialty Allen wrenches.

[0004] For example, a popular outdoor furniture type is a canopy / pergola. Due to the size of the canopy / pergola, these products may be difficult to deploy in e- commerce applicable approaches. Typically, for canopies, they are a large number or parts and fasteners. This makes assembly for the end user / consumer burdensome and complicated.Summary

[0005] Generally, a pergola assembly comprises a plurality of hollow legs, each hollow leg comprising a lower end to be adjacent to a surface, and an upper end opposite the lower end. The pergola assembly also includes first and second slat supporting members coupled between the upper ends of the plurality of hollow legs, and first and second cross members being transverse to the first and second slat supporting members and being coupled between the upper ends of the plurality of hollow legs. The pergola assembly comprises a plurality of rotating slats extending between the first and second slat supporting members. Each rotating slat includes a first slat end coupled to the first slat supporting member, and a second slat endcoupled to the second slat supporting member. Each upper end of the plurality of hollow legs comprises a plurality of vertical slots on an inner surface thereof, and each of the first and second slat supporting members and the first and second cross members comprises a vertically extending anchor to be received by the plurality of vertical slots in a respective hollow leg.

[0006] In particular, the plurality of vertical slots may include a first set of vertical slots, and second set of vertical slots being transverse to the first set of vertical slots. Each upper end of the plurality of hollow legs may comprise a first recess opposite to the first set of vertical slots and to receive a respective slat supporting member, and a second recess opposite to the second set of vertical slots and to receive a respective cross member.

[0007] Also, the vertically extending anchor may include a plate coupled to a respective one of the first and second slat supporting members and the first and second cross members, and a plurality of vertically extending arms carried by the plate and to be received by the plurality of vertical slots in the respective hollow leg. For example, each of the plurality of vertical slots may be circle-shaped, and each of the plurality of vertically extending arms may be cylinder-shaped.

[0008] In some embodiments, each of the first and second slat supporting members may comprise a plurality of slat recesses on an uppermost portion thereof and being aligned with the plurality of rotating slats. Each rotating slat may also comprise a slat body extending between the first and second slat supporting members, a first slat coupling interface extending from the first slat end, and a second slat coupling interface extending from the second slat end. The first slat coupling interface may comprise a first sleeve body received by a respective slat recess, and a first axle extending from the first slat end. The first sleeve body may comprise a flanged collar to be received by the respective slat recess. The first sleeve body may comprise a passageway to receive the first axle. The second slat coupling interface may comprise a second sleeve body received by another respective slat recess, and a second axle extending from the second slat end. The second sleeve body may comprise a flanged collar to be received by the other respective slat recess, and a slot to receive the second axle.

[0009] Another aspect is directed to a method for assembling a pergola assembly as described hereinabove. The method comprises positioning each of the plurality of hollow legs upright from the surface. The method also includesassembling the first and second slat supporting members and the first and second cross members by inserting the vertically extending anchor into the plurality of vertical slots for respective hollow legs.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pergola assembly, according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pergola assembly of FIG. 1 without the rotating slats.

[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a slat supporting member and a cross member being inserting into an upper end of a respective hollow leg in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the slat supporting member and the cross member inserted into the upper end of the respective hollow leg in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the upper end of the respective hollow leg in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0015] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the cross / slat supporting member in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0016] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a vertically extending arm in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of rotating slats coupled to the slat supporting member in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first rotating slat being coupled to the slat supporting member in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0019] FIGS. 10 and 11 are enlarged perspective views of a first slat coupling interface in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the slat supporting member in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0021] FIG. 13 is a partially exploded view of a first slat end of the rotating slat in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0022] FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view of a second slat end of the rotating slat in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a first sleeve body in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a second sleeve body in the pergola assembly of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the slat supporting member and the cross member inserted into the upper end of the respective hollow leg in a pergola assembly, according to a second example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the cross / slat supporting member in the pergola assembly of FIG. 17.

[0027] FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the cross / slat supporting member in the pergola assembly of FIG. 17.

[0028] FIG. 20 is a side view of a lighting module in the pergola assembly of FIG. 17.

[0029] FIG. 21 is a side view of a lighting module being inserted onto the cross / slat supporting member in the pergola assembly of FIG. 17.

[0030] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a pergola assembly, according to a third example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view of the pergola assembly of FIG. 22 during assembly.

[0032] FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of a track assembly in the pergola assembly of FIG. 22.

[0033] FIG. 25 is an enlarged perspective view of a pulley assembly in the pergola assembly of FIG. 22.

[0034] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the pergola assembly of FIG. 22 during assembly.

[0035] FIGS. 27-29 are enlarged perspective views of the pergola assembly of FIG. 22 during assembly.

[0036] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a slat rotation track in the pergola assembly of FIG. 22.

[0037] FIGS. 31 and 32 are enlarged partial cutaway views of a winding device in the pergola assembly of FIG. 22.

[0038] FIG. 33 is an exploded view of the winding device in the pergola assembly of FIG. 22.Detailed Description

[0039] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the invention are shown. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and base 100 reference numerals are used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

[0040] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4, a pergola assembly 100 according to the present disclosure is now described. The pergola assembly 100 illustratively comprises a plurality of hollow legs 101a-101d. Each of the plurality of hollow legs 101a-101d comprises a lower end 102a-102d to be adjacent to (or to abut and / or be anchored to) a surface 103, and an upper end 104a-104d opposite the lower end.

[0041] As perhaps best seen in FIG. 3, each of the plurality of hollow legs 101a-101d comprises an outer wall 105 defining an interior cavity 106. Each upper end 104a-104d of the plurality of hollow legs 101a-101d comprises a plurality of vertical slots 107a-107h (FIG. 4) on an inner surface of the outer wall 105. Also, each of the plurality of hollow legs 101a-101d is illustratively square-shaped, but it should be appreciated that other shapes are applicable in other embodiments, such as circle-shaped or triangle-shaped, for example. In particular, the plurality of vertical slots 107a-107h illustratively includes a first set of vertical slots 107a-107d, and second set of vertical slots 107e-107h being transverse (e.g., substantially orthogonal (±5° from 90°) in the illustrated embodiment) to the first set of vertical slots. Each of the plurality of vertical slots 107a-107h is illustratively circle-shaped, but it should be appreciated that other shapes are applicable in other embodiments, such as square-shaped or triangle-shaped, for example.

[0042] The pergola assembly 100 also includes first and second slat supporting members 110a-110b coupled between the upper ends 104a-104d of the plurality of hollow legs 101a-101d, and first and second cross members 111a-111b being transverse (e.g., substantially orthogonal (±5° from 90°) in the illustratedembodiment) to the first and second slat supporting members and also being coupled between the upper ends of the plurality of hollow legs.

[0043] The pergola assembly comprises a plurality of rotating slats 112a-112r extending between the first and second slat supporting members 110a-110b. Each rotating slat 112a-112r includes a first slat end 113 coupled to the first slat supporting member 110a, and a second slat end 114 coupled to the second slat supporting member 110b. In some embodiments, the rotational position of the plurality of rotating slats 112a-112r is manually controlled by a user, for example, using an elongate tool to physically rotate the rotating slats. In other embodiments (FIGS. 22-33), the rotational position of the plurality of rotating slats 112a-112r is mechanically / electronically controlled by the user.

[0044] As perhaps best seen in FIGS. 3 & 6-7, each of the first and second slat supporting members 110a-110b and the first and second cross members 111a- 111b comprises a vertically extending anchor 115 to be received by the plurality of vertical slots 107a-107h in a respective hollow leg 101a-101d. The vertically extending anchor 115 illustratively includes a plate 116 coupled to a respective one of the first and second slat supporting members 110a-110b and the first and second cross members 111 a-111 b, and a plurality of vertically extending arms 117a-117b carried by the plate and to be received by the plurality of vertical slots 107a-107h in the respective hollow leg 101a-101d. As perhaps best seen in FIG. 6, the plate 116 is coupled to an end of a respective slat supporting member 110a-110b and a respective cross member 111a-111b via a plurality of fasteners (not shown). The plurality of fasteners are positioned through aligned openings in the plate 116 and the end of the respective slat supporting member 110a-110b or the respective cross member 111a-111b. Further, the end of the respective slat supporting member 110a-110b and the respective cross member 111a-111b each has vertical slots for receiving an L-shaped interface arm extending from a backing of the plate 116. For example, each of the plurality of vertically extending arms 117a-117b is illustratively cylinder-shaped, and comprises a rod 120, and first and second caps 121 a-121b coupled on opposing ends thereof. As perhaps best seen in FIG. 5, each upper end 104a-104d of the plurality of hollow legs 101 a-101d illustratively comprises a first recess 122 opposite to the first set of vertical slots 107a-107d and to receive a respective slat supporting member 110a-110b, and a second recess 123 opposite tothe second set of vertical slots 107e-107h and to receive a respective cross member

[0045] Another aspect is directed to a method for assembling the pergola assembly 100. During the method for assembling of the pergola assembly 100, for each of the plurality of hollow legs 101a-101d, the end of the respective slat supporting member 110a-110b and the respective cross member 111a-111b are inserted respectively into the first recess 122 and the second recess 123 while aligning them so that the plurality of vertically extending arms 117a-117b slide into the respective vertical slots 107a-107h, as shown in FIGS. 3-4. Once inserted, the first and second caps 121a-121b are threadingly driven via hand or a driver tool, which expands the rod 120 radially, thereby press fitting the plurality of vertically extending arms 117a-117b respectively into the respective vertical slots 107a-107h. This process is repeated for each of the plurality of hollow legs 101a-101d, which provides a structure as depicted in FIG. 2. After this intermediary structure is assembled, the assembly of the plurality of rotating slats 112a-112r extending between the first and second slat supporting members 110a-110b is performed.

[0046] Referring now additionally to FIGS. 8-16, each of the first and second slat supporting members 110a-110b comprises a plurality of slat recesses 124a- 124e on an uppermost portion thereof and being aligned with the plurality of rotating slats 112a-112r. As perhaps best seen in FIG. 12, each of the plurality of slat recesses 124a-124e illustratively comprises a proximal portion 125 with substantially straight sides (±5° from being parallel with each other) opening up on the uppermost portion of the first and second slat supporting members 110a-110b, and a distal portion 126 comprising a circle-shaped opening with a rounded periphery. Also, each of the first and second slat supporting members 110a-110b illustratively comprises an L-shaped accessory arm 128. Referring again to FIG. 4, each of the first and second cross members 111a-111b illustratively comprises an L-shaped accessory arm 129.

[0047] Each rotating slat 112a-112r illustratively comprises a slat body 127 extending between the first and second slat supporting members 110a-110b, a first slat coupling interface 130 extending from the first slat end 113, and a second slat coupling interface 131 extending from the second slat end 114. The first slat coupling interface 130 illustratively includes a first sleeve body 132 received by a respective slat recess 124a-124e, and a first axle 133 extending from the first slat end 113. Thefirst sleeve body 132 illustratively comprises a flanged collar 134 to be received by the respective slat recess 124a-124e, and a passageway 135 to receive the first axle 133

[0048] The second slat coupling interface 131 illustratively includes a second sleeve body 136 received by another respective slat recess 124a-124e on the opposite slat supporting members 110a-110b, and a second axle 137 extending from the second slat end 114. The second sleeve body 136 comprises a flanged collar 140 to be received by the other respective slat recess 124a-124e, and a slot 141 to receive the second axle 137. As will be appreciated, each of the plurality of rotating slats 112a-112r rotates about an axis extending through the first axle 133 and the second axle 137.

[0049] Another aspect is directed to a method for assembling a pergola assembly 100 as described hereinabove. The method comprises positioning each of the plurality of hollow legs 101a-101d upright from the surface 103. The method also includes assembling the first and second slat supporting members 110a-110b and the first and second cross members 111a-111b by inserting the vertically extending anchor 115 into the plurality of vertical slots 107a-107h for respective hollow legs 101a-101d. The method also includes coupling each of the plurality of rotating slats 112a-112r to both of the first and second slat supporting members 110a-110b. Helpfully, via the first slat coupling interface 130 and the second slat coupling interface 131, the plurality of rotating slats 112a-112r is coupled without typical fasteners. Rather, as perhaps best seen in FIG. 10, each of the first sleeve body 132 and the second sleeve body 136 easily snaps into place within the respective slat recess 124a-124e.

[0050] Referring now additionally to FIG. 17-21 , another embodiment of the pergola assembly 200 is now described. In this embodiment of the pergola assembly 200, those elements already discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-16 are incremented by 100 and most require no further discussion herein. The pergola assembly 200 illustratively includes lighting features, and it should be appreciated that the lighting teachings for the pergola assembly 200 may be combined with the prior embodiments of the pergola assembly 100. In particular, this pergola assembly 200 illustratively includes first and second light modules 250a-250b respectively coupled to the L-shaped accessory arms 228, 229 respectively coupled to the first and second slat supporting members 210a-210b and the first and second crossmembers 211a-211b. Although only two light modules 250a-250b are shown, it should be appreciated that the pergola assembly 200 may include a second pair of light modules for the opposite slat supporting member 210a-210b and the opposite cross members 211a-211b.

[0051] Each of the first and second light modules 250a-250b illustratively includes an anchor body 251 comprising an attachment arm 252 extending vertically and defining a U-shaped channel 253 to receive a respective L-shaped accessory arms 228, 229, and a lighting body 254 integral with the anchor body. The lighting body 254 illustratively includes first and second arms 255a-255b, which define a light assembly channel 256 and first and second distal channels 257a-257b. Each of the first and second light modules 250a-250b illustratively includes a lens 260 received by the first and second distal channels 257a-257b, and a lighting device 261 (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED) circuit device) received by the light assembly channel 256. Further, a distal end of the attachment arm 252 comprises an inwardly protruding ridge 262, which is received by a channel 263 carried by the L-shaped accessory arms 228, 229 when a respective light module 250a-250b is fully seated.

[0052] Each of the first and second light modules 250a-250b illustratively comprises a connector 264a-264b extending outwardly from ends of the lighting body 254 for daisy chain connection to an adjacent lighting module. As will be appreciated, the pergola assembly 200 comprises a power module (not shown) configured to power the lighting device 261 of the first and second light modules 250a-250b, and a control module configured to control the first and second light modules. In some embodiments, the power module may comprise a battery integrated within the first and second light modules 250a-250b or one or more of the plurality of hollow legs 201a-201d; the battery is charged via a plug-in charger interface. In other embodiments, the power module may comprise a battery combined with a solar powered photovoltaic cell coupled thereto (in combination or in alternative to the plug-in charger interface). In other embodiments, the power module and the control module may be integrated together and carried by one of the plurality of hollow legs 201a-201d. This integrated power / control module carries a plurality of buttons for activation by a user to control the first and second light modules 250a-250b, and is coupled to one of the connectors 264a-264b.

[0053] Referring now additionally to FIG. 22-33, another embodiment of the pergola assembly 300 is now described. In this embodiment of the pergola assembly300, those elements already discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-16 are incremented by 200 and most require no further discussion herein. The pergola assembly 300 illustratively includes a selective rotating slat feature, and it should be appreciated that the rotating slat teachings for the pergola assembly 300 may be combined with the prior embodiments of the pergola assembly 100, 200. In particular, this pergola assembly 300 illustratively includes a winding device 370 carried by one of the plurality of hollow legs 301b. As perhaps best seen in FIGS. 31-33, the winding device 370 illustratively includes a plurality of internal components 371a-371e concentrically coupled together and for receiving a cable 372, and a handle 373 for retracting and extending the cable via actuation by the user. Further, the winding device 370 may include a locking feature to prevent unintended rotation of the handle 373. In other words, the handle 373 can be rotated only when the locking feature is disabled. Also, in other embodiments, the winding device 370 omits the handle 373 for a motorized embodiment, and includes a user interface configured to control an electronic motor to drive the winding device. Further, as with the pergola assembly 200, the electric motor may be powered via an integrated battery / photovoltaic feature optionally combined with a plug-in charger. In yet other embodiments, the winding device 370 includes the motorized feature and the mechanical approach as a fallback option.

[0054] The cable 372 extends upward in the hollow leg 301b and turns at the upper end 304b and extends downward the adjacent slat supporting member 310b. To aid this transition, the upper end 304b comprises a pulley assembly 374 configured to receive and route the cable 372. The slat supporting member 310b comprises a track assembly 375 controlling the rotation of the plurality of rotating slats 312a-312s. The track assembly 375 illustratively comprises an elastic element 376 (e.g., illustrated coil spring) having a first end coupled to a fixed point and a second end coupled to a distal end of the cable 372, a slat rotation track 377, a telescopic element 380 coupled between the pulley assembly 374 and the distal end of the cable, and a coupling arm 378 coupled to the distal end of the cable / telescopic arm. As perhaps best seen in FIG. 30, the slat rotation track 377 illustratively includes a plurality of coupling sleeves 381a-381c respectively coupled to the plurality of rotating slats 312a-312s, and a track member 382 carrying the plurality of coupling sleeves and being coupled to the coupling arm 378. Each of the plurality of coupling sleeves 381a-381c comprises a sleeve 383 coupled to the track member382, and a snap fastener 384 carried by the sleeve and to be coupled through an opening 385 in a respective rotating slat 312a-312s.

[0055] As perhaps best seen in FIGS. 27-29, each of the plurality of rotating slats 312a-312s is coupled to a respective coupling sleeve 381a-381c at a bottom end thereof, and to the adjacent slat supporting member 310b via the respective slat recess 324a-324e (e.g., using the first slat coupling interface 130 and the second slat coupling interface 131). During typical use, a user would activate the winding device, which slides the track member 382 back and forth, which causes the plurality of rotating slats 312a-312s to rotate about the coupling to the adjacent slat supporting member 310b. The elastic element 376 is configured to keep the cable 372 taut regardless of the rotational position of the plurality of rotating slats 312a- 312s. In combination with the winding device 370 being in a locked state, this prevents the cable 372 from coiling and also prevent unintended rotation of the plurality of rotating slats 312a-312s when the winding device 370 is in the locked state.

[0056] It should be appreciated that the constituent parts of each of the pergola assemblies 100, 200, 300 may comprise any rigid material with sufficient mechanical strength for the applicable purpose. For example, the constituent parts may comprise one or more of metallic materials (e.g., aluminum, steel), polymer plastics, ceramic materials, etc. Also, each of the pergola assemblies 100, 200, 300 is illustratively rectangle-shaped, but it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, other shapes are possible.

[0057] Advantageously, each of the pergola assemblies 100, 200, 300 may provide for a packaging that is well suited for ecommerce. In particular, like prior approaches with complex assembly, the pergola assemblies 100, 200, 300 may be shipped in a dissembled state. In contrast to the prior approaches, the pergola assemblies 100, 200, 300 rely on a low number of fasteners for assembly. Indeed, in some prior approaches, the user must manage and assemble more than hundreds of fasteners during assembly, which may last several hours. Further, with the pergola assembly 300, rather than using separate tools to rotate the plurality of rotating slats 312a-312s, the user can control the rotational position of the plurality of rotating slats using the winding device 370. Further, since the cable 372 is tensioned, the rotating slats 312a-312s remain in their set rotational position and do not rotate freely when the winding device 370 is in a locked state.

[0058] Considering the above, this present disclosure aims to realize an outdoor slatted tent that can be conveniently assembled and installed with good performance. To solve the technical issues, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solutions. An outdoor slatted tent comprises leg tubes and a ring beam frame. The ring beam frame comprises several ring beams, upper sections of the leg tubes can interface with adjacent ring beams for installation. The upper leg tube sections each have ring beam receiving slots, each of the slots has at least one ring beam mounting wall. An embedding part is situated at one side wall on one end of the ring beam. The embedding part can engage the corresponding ring beam mounting wall through a fitting assembly. The fitting assembly comprises an embedding cavity and an embedding body, the latter to be embedded in the former. Inside the embedding body is an expandable cavity designed for accommodating an expandable member. When the embedding part and ring beam mounting wall are installed in combination, the embedding body is inset into the embedding cavity, the expandable member expands downward, tightening the embedding body inside the embedding cavity.

[0059] Further, among the embedding cavity and the embedding body, one is situated on the ring beam mounting wall, while the other is situated on the embedding part. There are at least two of the embedding cavities and at least two of the embedding bodies. The cross-section of the embedding cavity takes on one of the following shapes: C-shape, regular polygon, isosceles trapezoid, circular, or elliptical.

[0060] Further, the embedding body comprises an embedding tube body and a deforming section located at one or both ends of the tube body, the expandable member comprises a rod body and an expanding part located at one end of the rod body, the rod body inserts into the expandable cavity, the expanding part corresponds with the deforming section for cooperative fitting and the deforming section can expand outwardly via being compressed by the expanding part.

[0061] Further, the deforming sections are located at upper and lower ends of the embedding tube body, and the expandable member further comprises an expanding seat. The lower end of the rod body cooperates with the expanding seat, that is, the expanding seat can interface with the deforming section located in the lower part of the embedding tube body. When the rod body and the expanding seat are continuously clenched, the expanding part and the expanding seat continuouslyexpand into the corresponding deforming section. The expanding part and the expanding seat are both provided with an expanding platform.

[0062] Further, the embedding part and ring beam are either integrated together or separated, as do the ring beam mounting wall and leg tubes. Further, in one of the embodiments, when the embedding part and the ring beam are separated, the side wall of the ring beam at one end is provided with clamping slots and aligning holes. At the same time, the embedding part further comprises an embedding seat which has a clamping seat and connecting holes. The clamping seat can be clamped by the clamping slot, while the connecting holes and the aligning holes coincide and are fixed using a fastener.

[0063] Further, in one of the embodiments, when the ring beam mounting wall and the leg tube are separated, fixing holes are provided on the ring beam mounting wall, and a fixing plate is provided on the leg tube, which is provided with mounting holes. After the fixing holes and mounting holes are aligned, fasteners can be used to firmly install the ring beam mounting wall and the leg tube together.

[0064] In conjunction with the above and furthermore, the ring beam frame contains a matching slatted canopy comprising a plurality of louver slats. Both ends of the louver slats interface with the ring beam to complete the installation. End caps are provided at both ends of the louver slats, and the end caps are provided with matching pivot sections. At least a louver-mounting beam is arranged on the ring beam where one end of the louver slat is mounted, and the louver-mounting beam is aligned with several clamp-embedding slots. Each clamp-embedding slot can accommodate a corresponding slot-locking seat, and the pivot section can be embedded into the slot-locking seat to complete the clamp-mounting installation of the pivot section, while allowing the pivot section to rotate relative to the slot-locking seat.

[0065] Further, the slot-locking seat comprises a slot-locking seat body, two elastic lock catches arranged inside the seat body, and a clamp-embedding cavity slot matching the clamp-embedding slot. The elastic lock catches interface with the pivot sections for installation; the clamp-embedding slot comprises a clampembedding slot body and side-embedding slots located at the middle of both sides of the slot body.

[0066] Further, an accommodating cavity slot is also formed between the elastic lock catch and the slot-locking seat body for accommodating the elasticdeformation of the elastic lock catch, the elastic lock catch comprises a lock seat and a lock hook arranged at one end of the lock seat, the lock hooks of the two elastic lock catches are oppositely arranged, a clamp-in cavity is formed between the two elastic lock catches, and the two lock hooks are located at the opening of the clampin cavity, which is a reduced opening due to the presence of the lock hooks.

[0067] Further, the pivot section comprises a shaft body, a shaft assembly section, and a shaft stopper, the shaft body is embedded into the clamp-in cavity, the outer diameter of the shaft body is greater than the distance between the two lock hooks, and the shaft stopper is used to achieve a limiting effect together with the outer surface of the slot-locking seat. When the pivot section is installed with the slotlocking seat, the shaft body presses the lock hooks downward to cause them to extend and deform to both sides until the shaft body is embedded into the clamp-in cavity, at which point the lock hooks recover to original state and lock hooks form limits on the upper sections of the shaft body.

[0068] Further, a linkage strip is also included which is provided with several fitting holes, and each fitting hole is provided with a corresponding linking seat. The linking seat is provided with a clamp-linking seat which can be used to interface with the position-locking hole in the end cap for installation. The linking seat is provided with a slide-fitting cavity which allows the linking seat to be sleeved on to the linkage strip and move along the linkage strip. The linking seat is also provided with a holelocking piece which can interface with the fitting hole to achieve locking.

[0069] Further, the clamp-linking seat comprises a clamping shaft and a limiting-clamping seat disposed on the shaft. The position-locking hole is provided with a shaft-locking hole and a limiting-locking cavity, and the clamping shaft is used to interface with the corresponding shaft-locking hole for installation. The limitingclamping seat is used to interface with the corresponding limiting-locking cavity for installation, and after fitting the clamp-linking seat with the corresponding positionlocking hole, the limiting-clamping seat completely or partially protrudes from the limiting-locking cavity.

[0070] Further, the clamp-linking seat comprises several lock seats each comprising shaft-locking sections and lock-limiting sections, and transitional surfaces are provided on the lock-limiting sections. The lock seats can be squeezed inward when compressed. When the lock seats penetrate through the position-locking hole, the transitional surfaces are squeezed by the walls of the position-locking hole,causing the lock seats to shrink inward until the lock-limiting sections penetrate through the position-locking hole to the other end, at this time the lock seats reset, indicating that the shaft-locking sections have been fully fitted into the positionlocking holes.

[0071] Further, the reciprocal motion of the linkage strip is achieved through a drive mechanism which comprises a telescopic mechanism, a draw-cord used to control the telescopic mechanism, and a rope winding mechanism used to control the draw-cord. The rope winding mechanism affects the motion of the draw-cord by applying tension to it, thereby promoting the expansion or contraction of the telescopic mechanism. The telescopic mechanism is connected to the linkage strip through connectors, thereby driving the reciprocal motion of the linkage strip.

[0072] Further, the rope winding mechanism is provided on any one of the leg tubes and comprises a rope reel, a reel axle and a reel seat. The rope reel is sleeved on the reel axle and rotates with the rotation of the reel axle, and the rope reel and reel axle are mounted on the reel seat. The draw-cord is wound around the rope reel, and after passing through the rope reel, the draw-cord extends upward along the cavity of the leg tube and the transitional extension of the cord is achieved through rollers. The other end of the draw-cord is fitted and installed with the connector or / and telescopic mechanism; the roller is disposed at the position where the leg tube is interfaced with the ring beam frame. Upper sections of the leg tube are provided with a cord-passing cavity, the ring beam frame is provided with a roller bracket adjacent to the cord-passing cavity, and the roller(s) is (are) installed on the roller bracket.

[0073] Further, the connector comprises a connecting shaft and a connecting seat. The connecting seat is fixed on to the linkage strip, and one end of the connecting shaft is connected to the connecting seat. The connecting shaft is used to interface with the draw-cord or / and telescopic mechanism for installation.

[0074] Further, a hand crank or / and motor is added to drive the reel axle to rotate. Further, in one of the embodiments, the telescopic mechanism uses a telescoping cylinder which comprises a cylinder body and a telescopic rod. The outer end of the telescopic rod mates and connects with the connector. When the rope winding mechanism tightens the draw-cord, the draw-cord drives the connector or outer end of the telescopic rod to retract inward. When the rope winding mechanism relaxes the draw-cord, the telescopic rod drives the connector to extend outward.

[0075] Further, in one of the embodiments, the telescopic mechanism adopts a reset spring, one end of which is connected to the corresponding connector, and the other end is mounted to a spring seat. The spring seat is fixed inside the ring beam frame; when the rope winding mechanism tightens the draw-cord, the drawcord drives the connector to move, while the reset spring acts to reset the connector.

[0076] Compared with the existing technical solutions, the present disclosure has the following advantages: the optimized design of the fitting assembly and the mechanism based on the expandable member allow assembly of components without welding, therefore effectively reducing manufacturing requirements and ensuring evenness of the final assembly. In addition, the embedding design based on the fitting assembly reduces the difficulty of aligning and installing ring beams and leg tubes (i.e., the user can secure the entire frame by just tightening the expandable member from the top), making the product easier to use. The expansion based locking structures help ensure good installation stability of the canopy; and the optimized embedding-mounting structure design (using slot-locking seats with pivot sections) facilitates quick louver slat installation and assembly. The specially optimized structure design based on the slot-locking seat utilizes the elastic lock catches inside the slot-locking seat, which allows the pivot section to be directly clamped while achieving synchronized rotation. The optimized design of the linking seat structure helps use the clamp-linking seat to quickly complete installation with the position-locking holes in the end caps, while also achieving synchronous linkage between several louver slats and the linkage strip. The aforementioned designs are beneficial for transmitting driving force to the louver slats and reducing the difficulty of fitting the louver slats and ring beams, which facilitates subsequent maintenance and replacement of the louver slats while reducing assembly costs by optimized design. The draw-cord is used to achieve drive control, which in combination with telescopic mechanism can effectively drive the linkage strip's reciprocating motion. Other than simple overall structure and low cost, this design also does not require a large space during assembly, making it easier to choose installation location more freely; in addition, with the optimized design, the rope winding mechanism installed on leg tube is easy to operate, making it more convenient to use the end product.First Embodiment

[0077] The present embodiment discloses an outdoor slatted tent, specifically an outdoor slatted tent using a canopy installation structure, comprising leg tubes and a ring beam frame. The ring beam frame comprises several ring beams. In the illustrated embodiment, the ring beam frame is constituted by four ring beams connected end to end, and upper sections of the leg tubes can be installed with adjacent ring beams. The upper sections of the leg tubes are provided with ring beam receiving slots, which are provided with at least one ring beam mounting wall. In the illustrated embodiment, the ring beam receiving slot includes two ring beam mounting walls arranged at 90° on the outside, which are used to interface with the ring beams to form a frame structure. In other embodiments, if the leg tubes adopt a middle splicing structure, two ring beams should extend in a 180° arrangement and share one ring beam mounting wall, which is arranged on one side, or at opposite positions on both sides.

[0078] The side wall of the ring beam at one end is provided with an embedding part. The embedding part and the ring beam mounting wall are installed in combination through a fitting assembly which comprises an embedding cavity and an embedding body. During installation, the embedding body is embedded into the embedding cavity; in one example embodiment, the embedding cavity is provided on the ring beam mounting wall, and the embedding body is provided on the embedding part; in another example embodiment, the embedding cavity is provided on the embedding part, and the embedding body is provided on the ring beam mounting wall.

[0079] In conjunction with the above, in this embodiment, the embedding cavity is provided on the ring beam mounting wall, and the embedding body is placed on the embedding part; wherein, there are at least two embedding cavities on the ring beam mounting wall, and at least two embedding bodies on the embedding part. In a specific embodiment, there are four embedding cavities on the ring beam mounting wall, two embedding bodies on the embedding part, so that the embedding bodies and embedding cavities can be arranged alternately to improve installation stability.

[0080] In conjunction with the above, an expandable cavity is provided inside the embedding body to accommodate an expandable member; when the embedding part and ring beam mounting wall are installed in combination, the embedding bodyis inset into the embedding cavity, at the same time the expandable member expands downward, tightening the embedding body inside the embedding cavity. These expansion based locking structures help ensure good installation stability of the canopy.

[0081] Specifically, the cross-section of the embedding cavity takes on one of the following shapes: C-shape, regular polygon, isosceles trapezoid, circular, or elliptical. In one example embodiment, the embedding cavity with C-shaped crosssection has an opening to facilitate the insertion of the embedding body. The embedding body includes an embedding tube body. One or both ends (preferably both ends) of the embedding tube body should have a deforming section. The embedding tube body is embedded into the embedding cavity, where the deforming section is usually completely or partially embedded into the embedding cavity (preferably completely embedded). The expandable member includes a rod body and an expanding part. The expanding part is located at one end (usually the upper end) of the rod body. The top surface of the expanding part is usually provided with a hexagonal or cross or slot screw hole for easy fastening operation with a screwdriver. The expanding part is usually provided with an expanding platform. The rod body is embedded into the expandable cavity, and the expanding part cooperates with the deforming section. The deforming section can expand outward when being pressed by the expanding part.

[0082] In another example embodiment, the embedding cavity with polygonal (more specifically, preferably hexagonal) cross-section has an opening on one side wall to facilitate the insertion of the embedding body. The embedding body includes an embedding tube body. One or both ends (preferably both ends) of the embedding tube body should have a deforming section. The embedding tube body is embedded into the embedding cavity, where the deforming section is usually completely or partially embedded into the embedding cavity (preferably completely embedded). The expandable member includes a rod body and an expanding part. The expanding part is located at one end (usually the upper end) of the rod body. The top surface of the expanding part is usually provided with a hexagonal or cross or slot screw hole for easy fastening operation with a screwdriver. The expanding part is usually provided with an expanding platform. The rod body is embedded into the expandable cavity, and the expanding part cooperates with the deforming section. The deforming section can expand outward when being pressed by the expanding part.

[0083] In the above structure, the multiple deforming strips on deforming section are arranged in annular rows, specifically circular or polygonal arrangements based on the profile and specs of embedding body. Grooves are left between adjacent deforming strips, allowing the strips to form a firmer pawl structure when expanded outward. In conjunction with the above, expanding platform can utilize different designs based on the exact specs, preferably cone and polyhedron shapes, among others as needed. Additionally, based on specific specs, different cross- sectional shapes can be utilized for the embedding cavity and the embedding body. The cross-section of embedding body can be circle, polygon, etc., to fit various size specs, with other shapes possible as required.

[0084] In the illustrated embodiment, as the embedding tube body has deforming sections at both upper and lower ends, the expandable member also includes an expanding seat which is also provided with an expanding platform. The lower end of the rod body can interface with the expanding seat to complete the installation. The expanding seat is used to interface with the deforming section located at the lower part of the embedding tube body; when the rod body and expanding seat are continuously clenched, the expanding part and expanding seat continuously press into the respective deforming sections, causing them to expand outward.

[0085] Specifically, the installation process is: placing the ring beam with the embedding part into the ring beam receiving slot of the leg tube, and installing the embedding part and the ring beam mounting wall in combination through a fitting assembly. More specifically, the embedding body is embedded into the embedding cavity. In this process, the expanding part of the expandable member usually stays outside of the deforming section, leaving it in its original state. The lower end of the rod body and the expanding seat are usually in an initial locked state (usually threaded). At the same time, the expanding seat usually stays outside of the lower deforming section, where the overall length of the rod body is greater than or equal to the length of the expandable cavity; the expandable member is pre-installed in the embedding body and embedded into the embedding cavity along with the embedding body; after the assembly of the embedding body and the embedding cavity, the user continuously tightens the expandable member from top to bottom. This operation acts on the expanding seat and causes the rod body to continue to move downward. The aforementioned operation can continuously shorten thedistance between the expanding seat and expanding part, so that the expanding part gradually squeezes into the upper deforming section, and the expanding seat gradually squeezes into the lower deforming section, causing the two deforming sections to expand and deform, with their outer side walls tightly fitting the embedding cavity, thus achieving fastening and locking based on expansion.

[0086] In one example embodiment, the embedding part is integrated with the ring beam, while the ring beam mounting wall is integrated with the leg tube. In another example embodiment, the embedding part and ring beam are separated, yet the ring beam mounting wall remains integrated with the leg tube. In yet another example embodiment, embedding part is integrated with ring beam, but ring beam mounting wall is separated from leg tube. In still another example embodiment, both embedding part and ring beam are separated structures, as are ring beam mounting wall and leg tube.

[0087] Combining the above, when the embedding part and ring beam are separated, the ring beam has a clamping slot and aligning hole on its side wall at one end, and the embedding part further comprises an embedding seat. The embedding seat has an embedding body fixed to one side and a connecting base is provided between the two, which is inserted and fitted into the opening of the embedding cavity. The embedding seat has a clamping seat and connecting hole. The clamping seat is clamped by the clamping slot, while the connecting hole and aligning hole coincide and are fixed using a fastener. These designs contribute to lower manufacturing costs and faster assembly of the ring beams.

[0088] Combining the above, when the ring beam mounting wall and the leg tube are separated, fixing holes are provided on the ring beam mounting wall, and a fixing plate is provided on the leg tube. Mounting holes are provided on the fixing plate. After aligning the fixing holes and mounting holes, fasteners can be used to fix the ring beam mounting wall to the leg tube. The ring beam mounting wall can be made of plastic or die-cast aluminum alloy, which helps reduce the manufacturing cost of the leg tube.

[0089] In the present disclosure, the optimized design of the fitting assembly and the mechanism based on the expandable member allow assembly of components without welding, therefore effectively reducing manufacturing requirements and ensuring evenness of the final assembly. In addition, the embedding design based on the fitting assembly reduces the difficulty of aligning andinstalling ring beams and leg tubes (the user can secure the entire frame by just tightening the expandable member from the top), making the product easier to use.Second Embodiment

[0090] In conjunction with the first embodiment, the present embodiment discloses an outdoor slatted tent, particularly relating to a louver slat installation structure for outdoor tents, comprising a louver slat and a ring beam. Both ends of the louver slat can be used to interface with the ring beam for installation. End caps are provided at both ends of the louver slat. Matching pivot sections are provided on the end caps. At least, a louver-mounting beam is provided on the ring beam where one end of the louver slat is located. In a specific example embodiment, louvermounting beams are provided on the ring beams at both ends of the louver slat. According to different structural designs, the connection of one end of the louver slat and the ring beam can also be achieved by other methods, such as direct installation through a pivot shaft and a pivot hole.

[0091] In conjunction with the above, in some embodiments, the louvermounting beam is integrated with the ring beam. In other embodiments, the louvermounting beam can also be fixed to the ring beam by welding, or by other fixing methods such as clamping, bolt fixing, etc.

[0092] The louver-mounting beam is arranged with several clamp-embedding slots. Slot-locking seats are provided in the clamp-embedding slots. Clampembedding cavity slots matching the clamp-embedding slots are provided inside the slot-locking seats. The clamp-embedding cavity slots are used to achieve clamping installation at corresponding positions on the side walls of the clamp-embedding slots. To further secure the alignment installation of the clamp-embedding slot and the slot-locking seat, it may be helpful to optimize the design of the clampembedding slot, that is, the clamp-embedding slot comprises a clamp-embedding slot body and side-embedding slots located at the middle of on both sides. The added side-embedding slots help enhance the stability of the slot-locking seat after aligned installation.

[0093] The pivot section is inserted into the slot-locking seat and clamped by it, while allowing the pivot section to rotate relative to the slot-locking seat. The pivot section includes a shaft body, a shaft assembly section and a shaft stopper. The shaft assembly section is usually used to interface with the end cap and the louverslat to fix the pivot section with the louver slat. The louver slat can rotate by using the pivot section. The shaft body should interface with the clamp-in cavity in the slotlocking seat. Typically, the length of the shaft body is the same as or slightly longer than that of the cavity of the clamp-in cavity. The shaft body can rotate in the clampin cavity. The shaft stopper is used to form a limit on the outer end surface of the slot-locking seat, so that the pivot section can be well fitted with the slot-locking seat.

[0094] In a further structure, the slot-locking seat includes a slot-locking seat body, two elastic lock catches arranged inside the body, an accommodating cavity slot for accommodating the elastic deformation of the elastic lock catch, and a clamp-embedding cavity slot for cooperating with the clamp-embedding slot. The elastic lock catch is used to interface with the shaft body for installation. The elastic lock catch includes a lock seat and a lock hook disposed at one end of. The two lock hooks of the elastic lock catch are arranged oppositely. A clamp-in cavity is formed between the two elastic lock catches. The two lock hooks are located at the opening of the clamp-in cavity, which becomes a reduced opening due to the presence of the lock hook. The shaft body is used to fit into the clamp-in cavity, and the outer diameter of the shaft body is greater than the distance between the two lock hooks. When the pivot section and are installed together, after the shaft body presses the lock hook downward, it causes them to extend and deform to both sides until the shaft body is fitted into the clamp-in cavity, at which time resets, and the lock hook forms limits on the upper sections of the shaft body.

[0095] The elastic lock catch structure can be optimized, including using integrally molded slot-locking seat preferably of plastic; and using elastic lock catch made of elastic metal (e.g. spring steel); since the elastic lock catch can be elastically deformed, the downward pressure of the shaft body will cause it to deform to achieve embedded installation, thereby making the whole assembly process more convenient; furthermore, optimizing the structural design of the lock hook can help further secure the improve the locking of the shaft body and prevent detachment.

[0096] In conjunction with the above, a linkage strip is also provided between several louver slats arranged and installed along the ring beam. The linkage strip can drive the louver slats to flip synchronously. The linkage strip is provided with several fitting holes, each of which is provided with a corresponding linking seat. Linking seats are provided with clamp-linking seats. The clamp-linking seats can be installed in combination with the position-locking holes on the end caps. The linkingseats are also provided with slide-fitting cavities, through which the linking seats can be sleeved on to the linkage strip and move along. The linking seats are also provided with hole-locking pieces, which are used to interface with the fitting holes to achieve locking. The optimized design of the linking seat structure contains the slidefitting cavity, which facilitates the combination installation of the linking seat and the linkage strip. The linking seats can be inserted into the linkage strips in sequence from the end. After moving the linking seats to the corresponding positions, the linking seats can be installed at the corresponding positions by using the holelocking pieces in combination with the fitting holes. Each linking seat is used to match a single louver slat.

[0097] In one example embodiment, the clamp-linking seat comprises a clamping shaft and a limiting-clamping seat disposed on. The position-locking hole is provided with a shaft-locking hole and a limiting-locking cavity. The clamping shaft is used to interface with the corresponding shaft-locking hole, and the limiting-clamping seat is used to interface with the corresponding limiting-locking cavity. When the clamp-linking seat is installed to the paired position-locking hole, the limitingclamping seat completely or partially protrudes from the limiting-locking cavity. The protruding structure enables end cap to interface with linking seat via clamp-linking seat, so movable linking seat links together linkage strip and louver slat.

[0098] In one example embodiment, the clamp-linking seat comprises several lock seats, each of which comprises shaft-locking sections and lock-limiting sections, and transitional surfaces are provided on. The lock seats can be squeezed inward when compressed. When the lock seats penetrate through the position-locking holes, the transitional surfaces are squeezed by the walls of the position-locking holes, causing the lock seats to shrink inward until the lock-limiting sections penetrate through the position-locking holes to the other end. At this time, the lock seats reset, indicating that the shaft-locking sections have been fully installed into the position-locking holes. The lock seats should be made of elastic materials (preferably plastic), and should adopt a hollow structure in the middle. Clearances should be left between adjacent lock seats to allow elastic deformation of each lock seat. In the optimized structure of the lock-limiting section, the contact between the transitional surface and the position-locking hole enables the lock seats to be accommodated inward and penetrate through the position-locking holes. The complete alignment of and enables the end cap to be fully linked with the linking seatthrough the clamp-linking seat. Then through the movable linking seat, linkage between the linkage strip and the louver slat is achieved.

[0099] In this present disclosure, the optimized embedding-mounting structure design (using slot-locking seats with pivot sections) facilitates quick louver slat installation and assembly. The specially optimized structure design based on the slot-locking seat utilizes the elastic lock catches inside the slot-locking seat, which allows the pivot section to be directly clamped while achieving synchronized rotation. The further optimized design of the linking seat structure helps use the clamp-linking seat to quickly complete installation with the position-locking holes in the end caps, while also achieving synchronous linkage between several louver slats and the linkage strip. The aforementioned designs are beneficial for transmitting driving force to the louver slats and reducing the difficulty of fitting the louver slats and ring beams, which facilitates subsequent maintenance and replacement of the louver slats while reducing assembly costs.Third Embodiment

[0100] In conjunction with the first embodiment or the second embodiment, this embodiment discloses an outdoor slatted tent. It specifically relates to an outdoor slatted tent using a drive mechanism for flipping the louver slats and comprising a tent frame. The tent frame comprises leg tubes and ring beam frame, and the ring beam frame is internally provided with a slatted canopy, which comprises a plurality of louver slats and linkage strips that are linked with these louver slats. The reciprocating motion of the linkage strip is realized through the drive mechanism. The ring beam frame is usually composed of multiple tent beams and it can take on different final forms such as a triangular frame or a quadrangular tent frame, etc. The louver slat can be situated to cover the ring beam frame.

[0101] The drive mechanism comprises a telescopic mechanism, a draw-cord to control the telescopic mechanism, and a rope winding mechanism to control drawcord. Rope winding mechanism affects draw-cord motion via tension, thereby extending or contracting the telescopic mechanism. The telescopic mechanism should connect to connector and linkage strip, enabling reciprocal motion of linkage strip with telescopic mechanism expansion / contraction, thereby driving the flipping of louver slat and in turn the opening / closing of slatted canopy.

[0102] In one example embodiment, rope winding mechanism is on any leg tube, comprising rope reel, reel axle, and reel seat. Rope reel sleeves onto reel axle and rotates with it. Rope reel and reel axle mount to reel seat, which affixes to leg tube. Reel axle typically extends outward of or penetrates out of leg tube, with rope reel winding draw-cord situated in the leg tube. In the illustrated embodiment, rope winding mechanism is usually the mechanism used in existing patio umbrellas; other suitable mechanisms can be utilized as needed. Draw-cord, after passing rope reel, extends upward through the cavity in leg tube, transitioning via roller(s). How many rollers are used should be determined basing on draw-cord stroke and force transmission needs. The other end of draw-cord connects to connector and / or the telescopic mechanism; preferably, this end directly winds and fixes to connecting shaft of connector. Specifically, the connector has connecting shaft and connecting seat. Connecting seat fixes to linkage strip, while one end of connecting shaft mounts to connecting seat to connect draw-cord and / or the telescopic mechanism.

[0103] In conjunction with the above, in the specific structure, roller is set at the position where the leg tube interfaces with the ring beam frame to facilitate the passage of draw-cord. The upper section of leg tube is provided with a cord-passing cavity, and a roller frame is provided on the ring beam frame, which should be set next to the cord-passing cavity. Roller is set on roller frame. In one example embodiment, a hand crank is included to drive the rotation of reel axle; usually, hand crank should be matched with the outwardly extending end surface of reel axle. The structural design of hand crank and reel axle can follow the common designs used in existing technical solutions; but the turbine seat structure in existing solutions can also be used as an alternative. In one example embodiment, a motor is also included to drive the rotation of reel axle through a rotating shaft; in an optimized design, rotation control can be achieved by controlling the motor.

[0104] In conjunction with the above, in one example embodiment, the telescopic mechanism adopts a telescoping cylinder which comprises a cylinder body and a telescopic rod. The outer end of telescopic rod is used to interface with connector; when rope winding mechanism winds up draw-cord, draw-cord drives connector or outer end of telescopic rod to retract inward; when rope winding mechanism relaxes draw-cord, telescopic rod drives connector to extend outward.

[0105] In the above embodiments, the telescoping cylinder is used to push the connector to extend. If it is necessary to flip the louver slats, the telescoping cylinderusually pushes the telescopic rod to extend outward, using its outer end to drive the connector to move, and the connector will drive the linkage strip to move, thereby driving the louver slats to flip. In the aforementioned process, the rope winding mechanism relaxes the draw-cord to facilitate the outward movement of the telescopic rod; when resetting is required, the rope winding mechanism will tighten the draw-cord, thereby driving the end of connector or telescopic rod to retract. As draw-cord gradually tightens, telescopic rod will retract to its original position relative to cylinder body, and the flipped louver slat will be reset also.

[0106] In conjunction with the above, in one example embodiment, the telescopic mechanism comprises a reset spring, one end of which is connected to connector and the other end is mounted on spring seat. Spring seat is fixed inside ring beam frame; when rope winding mechanism tightens draw-cord, draw-cord drives connector to move, while reset spring resets connector.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the reset spring acts to reset the connector. When the louver slats need to be flipped, the rope winding mechanism winds up the draw-cord, thereby driving the connector to move away from the spring seat, causing it to stretch. The rope winding mechanism can continue to wind up the cord until the louver slats are fully opened or closed; when the louver slats need to be reset, the rope winding mechanism relaxes the draw-cord, and due to the presence of reset spring, the connector gradually moves towards the spring seat, driving the linkage strip to reset the louver slats.

[0108] In the above optimized design, draw-cord is used to achieve drive control, which in combination with telescopic mechanism can effectively drive the linkage strip's reciprocating motion; other than simple overall structure and low cost, this design also does not require a large space during assembly, making it easier to choose installation location more freely; in addition, with the optimized design, the rope winding mechanism installed on leg tube is easy to operate, making it more convenient to use the end product.

[0109] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . A pergola assembly comprising: a plurality of hollow legs, each hollow leg comprising a lower end to be adjacent to a surface, and an upper end opposite the lower end; first and second slat supporting members coupled between the upper ends of the plurality of hollow legs; first and second cross members being transverse to the first and second slat supporting members and being coupled between the upper ends of the plurality of hollow legs; and a plurality of rotating slats extending between the first and second slat supporting members, each rotating slat comprising a first slat end coupled to the first slat supporting member, and a second slat end coupled to the second slat supporting member; each upper end of the plurality of hollow legs comprising a plurality of vertical slots on an inner surface thereof; each of the first and second slat supporting members and the first and second cross members comprising a vertically extending anchor to be received by the plurality of vertical slots in a respective hollow leg.

2. The pergola assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of vertical slots comprises a first set of vertical slots, and second set of vertical slots being transverse to the first set of vertical slots.

3. The pergola assembly of claim 2 wherein each upper end of the plurality of hollow legs comprises a first recess opposite to the first set of vertical slots and to receive a respective slat supporting member, and a second recess opposite to the second set of vertical slots and to receive a respective cross member.

4. The pergola assembly of claim 1 wherein the vertically extending anchor comprises:a plate coupled to a respective one of the first and second slat supporting members and the first and second cross members; and a plurality of vertically extending arms carried by the plate and to be received by the plurality of vertical slots in the respective hollow leg.

5. The pergola assembly of claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of vertical slots is circle-shaped; and wherein each of the plurality of vertically extending arms is cylinder-shaped.

6. The pergola assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second slat supporting members comprises a plurality of slat recesses on an uppermost portion thereof and being aligned with the plurality of rotating slats.

7. The pergola assembly of claim 6 wherein each rotating slat comprises: a slat body extending between the first and second slat supporting members, a first slat coupling interface extending from the first slat end, and a second slat coupling interface extending from the second slat end; and wherein the first slat coupling interface comprises a first sleeve body received by a respective slat recess, and a first axle extending from the first slat end.

8. The pergola assembly of claim 7 wherein the first sleeve body comprises a flanged collar to be received by the respective slat recess.

9. The pergola assembly of claim 7 wherein the first sleeve body comprises a passageway to receive the first axle.

10. The pergola assembly of claim 7 wherein the second slat coupling interface comprises a second sleeve body received by another respective slat recess, and a second axle extending from the second slat end.11 . The pergola assembly of claim 10 wherein the second sleeve body comprises a flanged collar to be received by the other respective slat recess, and a slot to receive the second axle.

12. A method for assembling a pergola assembly of Claims 1-11 , the method comprising: positioning each of the plurality of hollow legs upright from the surface; and assembling the first and second slat supporting members and the first and second cross members by inserting the vertically extending anchor into the plurality of vertical slots for respective hollow legs.

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