Tiki shelters and kits

Abstract

Novel artificial tiki shelters and tiki shelter roofs are disclosed and claimed herein. The design of the inventive roofs and shelters allow for ease of assembly and disassembly by the purchaser and once assembled, are durable to withstand winds of up to 150 miles per hour.

1 . An artificial tiki shelter comprising: 
 a. a roof, said roof further comprising:    (i) a central connector, said connector having an outer periphery and comprising a series of mounting brackets extending outward from said periphery;    (ii) a plurality of longitudinal beams, each having upper and lower surfaces, and each of said beams further having a first end secured to one of said mounting brackets and an opposing second end, wherein adjacent longitudinal beams are connected to one another by one of a plurality of fascia members, each of said fascia members secured to said second ends of said adjacent longitudinal beams to form an outer periphery of said roof;    (iii) one or more fasteners for securing said first end of each of said plurality of longitudinal beams to said mounting bracket; and    (iv) a plurality of artificial thatch segments secured to said upper surfaces of two adjacent longitudinal beams and arranged upon said longitudinal beams such that a portion of one of said segments partially overlaps a subjacent thatch segment; and    b. at least one vertical support member secured to said roof.    
     
     
         2 . The tiki shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said outer periphery of said connector is substantially circular.  
     
     
         3 . The tiki shelter of  claim 1 , including at least two of said vertical support members, each of said at least two vertical support members having a top end and a bottom end, said top end secured to either one of said fascia members or one of said longitudinal beams, said bottom end configured to rest upon or engage an underlying ground surface.  
     
     
         4 . The tiki shelter of  claim 3 , wherein said vertical support member include four vertical support members, each secured to one of said longitudinal beams.  
     
     
         5 . The tiki shelter of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said vertical support members comprises an outer jacket.  
     
     
         6 . The tiki shelter of  claim 5 , wherein said outer jacket is formed of a material selected from the group of natural bamboo and materials resembling bamboo.  
     
     
         7 . The tiki shelter of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said vertical support members comprises an outer jacket.  
     
     
         8 . The tiki shelter of  claim 7 , wherein said outer jacket is formed of a material selected from the group of natural bamboo and materials resembling bamboo.  
     
     
         9 . The tiki shelter of  claim 1 , each of said longitudinal beams having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein at least one of said longitudinal beams has a pair of holes penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of said beam, said pair of holes in registration with one another, and wherein each of said mounting brackets comprises a top plate and a lower plate, each of said plates having a hole penetrating therethrough and in registration with one another, such that when said first end of one of said longitudinal beams is engaged within said mounting bracket, said pair of holes of said beam and said mounting bracket are registration with one another for engagement therein of one of said plurality of fasteners.  
     
     
         10 . The tiki shelter of  claim 9 , wherein said fasteners comprise a bolt and nut.  
     
     
         11 . The tiki shelter of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said mounting brackets is a receptacle having an inner compartment configured to engage therein the first end of one of said longitudinal members.  
     
     
         12 . The tiki shelter of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said longitudinal beams has a pair of holes penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of said beam, said pair of holes in registration with one another, and wherein each of said receptacles comprises a top end and a lower end, each of said top and lower ends having a hole in registration with one another and configured to engage a fastener, such that when said first end of one of said longitudinal beams is engaged within said receptacle, said pair of holes of said beam and said receptacle are in registration with one another for engagement therein of one of said plurality of fasteners.  
     
     
         13 . The tiki shelter of  claim 12 , wherein said fastener comprises a bolt and nut.  
     
     
         14 . The tiki shelter of  claim 1 , wherein at least one vertical support member has a bottom end and a top end, said top end removably secured to said central connector, and wherein said bottom end is configured to rest upon or engage an underlying ground surface.  
     
     
         15 . The tiki shelter of  claim 14 , each of said longitudinal beams having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein at least one of said longitudinal beams has a pair of holes penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of said beam, said pair of holes in registration with one another, and wherein each of said mounting brackets comprises a top plate and a lower plate, each of said plates having a hole penetrating therethrough and in registration with one another, such that when said first end of one of said longitudinal beams is engaged within said mounting bracket, said pair of holes of said beam and said mounting bracket are registration with one another for engagement therein of one of said plurality of fasteners.  
     
     
         16 . The tiki shelter of  claim 15 , wherein said fasteners comprise a bolt and nut.  
     
     
         17 . The tiki shelter of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of said mounting brackets is a receptacle having an inner compartment configured to engage therein the first end of one of said longitudinal members.  
     
     
         18 . The tiki shelter of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said longitudinal beams has a pair of holes penetrating the upper and lower surface of said beam, said pair of holes in registration with one another, and wherein each of said receptacles comprises a top end and a lower end, each of said top and lower ends having a hole in registration with one another and configured to engage a fastener, such that when said first end of one of said longitudinal beams is engaged within said receptacle, said pair of holes of said beam and said receptacle are in registration with one another for engagement of one of said plurality of fasteners therein.  
     
     
         19 . The tiki shelter of  claim 18 , wherein said fasteners comprise a bolt and nut.  
     
     
         20 . The tiki shelter of  claim 14 , further including a least one support rod having one end secured to one of said longitudinal beams and a second end secured to said at least one vertical support member secured to said central connector.  
     
     
         21 . The tiki shelter of  claim 20 , wherein said tiki shelter comprises at least three of said at least one support rod.  
     
     
         22 . The tiki shelter of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one vertical support member comprises an outer jacket.  
     
     
         23 . The tiki shelter of  claim 22 , wherein said outer jacket is formed of a material selected from the group of natural bamboo and materials resembling bamboo.  
     
     
         24 . The tiki shelter of  claim 1 , said connector having a central opening formed by said outer periphery walls, said roof further including a cover secured to said roof and movably positioned upon said connector to cover said opening.  
     
     
         25 . An artificial tiki shelter roof comprising: 
 a. a central connector, said connector having an outer periphery and comprising a series of mounting brackets extending outward from said periphery;    b. a plurality of longitudinal beams, each having upper and lower surfaces, and each of said beams further having a first end secured to one of said mounting brackets and an opposing second end, wherein adjacent longitudinal beams are connected to one another by one of a plurality of fascia members, each of said fascia members secured to said second ends of said adjacent longitudinal beams to form an outer periphery of said roof;    c. one or more fasteners for securing said first end of each of said plurality of longitudinal beams to said mounting bracket; and    d. a plurality of artificial thatch segments secured to said upper surfaces of two adjacent longitudinal beams and arranged upon said longitudinal beams such that a portion of one of said segments partially overlaps a subjacent thatch segment.    
     
     
         26 . The roof of  claim 25 , each of said longitudinal beams having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein at least one of said longitudinal beams has a pair of holes penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of said beam, said pair of holes in registration with one another, and wherein each of said mounting brackets comprises a top plate and a lower plate, each of said plates having a hole penetrating therethrough and in registration with one another, such that when said first end of one of said longitudinal beams is engaged within said mounting bracket, said pair of holes of said beam and said mounting bracket are registration with one another for engagement therein of one of said plurality of fasteners.  
     
     
         27 . The roof of  claim 26 , wherein said fastener comprise a bolt and nut.  
     
     
         28 . The roof of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of said mounting brackets is a receptacle having an inner compartment configured to engage therein the first end of one of said longitudinal members.  
     
     
         29 . The roof of  claim 28 , wherein at least one of said longitudinal beams has a pair of holes penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of said beam, said pair of holes in registration with one another, and wherein each of said receptacles comprises a top end and a lower end, each of said top and lower ends having a hole in registration with one another and configured to engage a fastener, such that when said first end of one of said longitudinal beams is engaged within said receptacle, said pair of holes of said beam and said receptacle are in registration with one another for engagement therein of one of said plurality of fasteners.  
     
     
         30 . The roof of  claim 29 , wherein said fasteners comprise a bolt and nut.  
     
     
         31 . The tiki shelter of  claim 25 , said connector having a central opening formed by said outer periphery walls, said roof further including a cover secured to said roof and movably positioned upon said connector to cover said opening.  
     
     
         32 . An artificial tiki shelter roof comprising: 
 a. two central connectors, each of said connectors having an outer periphery and comprising a series of mounting brackets extending outward from said periphery;    b. a center horizontal member secured to and disposed between said two central connectors;    c. a first plurality of longitudinal beams, each having upper and lower surfaces, and each of said beams further having a first end secured to one of said mounting brackets and an opposing second end, wherein adjacent longitudinal beams are connected to one another by one of a plurality of fascia members;    d. a second plurality of longitudinal beams, each having upper and lower surfaces and each of said second plurality of longitudinal beams further having a first end secured to said center horizontal member and an opposing second end, wherein adjacent longitudinal beams of said second plurality are connected to one another by one of said plurality of said fascia members;    e. said fascia members secured to said second ends of said adjacent longitudinal beams of said first and second pluralities of longitudinal beams to form an outer periphery of said roof;    f. one or more first fasteners for securing said first end of each of said first plurality of longitudinal beams to said mounting bracket;    g. one or more second fasteners for securing said first end of each of said second plurality of longitudinal beams to said central horizontal member; and    h. a plurality of artificial thatch segments secured to said upper surfaces of two adjacent longitudinal beams of said first and second pluralities of longitudinal beams and arranged upon said longitudinal beams such that a portion of one of said segments partially overlaps a subjacent thatch segment.    
     
     
         33 . The roof of  claim 32 , wherein said outer periphery of at least one of said central connectors is substantially circular.  
     
     
         34 . The roof  claim 32 , each of said longitudinal beams of said first and second pluralities having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein at least one of said longitudinal beams has a pair of holes penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of said beam, said pair of holes in registration with one another, and wherein each of said mounting brackets comprises a top plate and a lower plate, each of said plates having a hole penetrating therethrough and in registration with one another, such that when said first end of one of said longitudinal beams is engaged within said mounting bracket, said pair of holes of said beam and said mounting bracket are registration with one another for engagement therein of one of said plurality of fasteners.  
     
     
         35 . The roof of  claim 34 , wherein said first and second fasteners comprise a bolt and nut.  
     
     
         36 . The roof of  claim 32 , wherein at least one of said mounting brackets is a receptacle having an inner compartment configured to engage therein the first end of one of said longitudinal members of said pluralities of longitudinal members.  
     
     
         37 . The roof of  claim 36 , wherein at least one of said longitudinal beams of said first and second pluralities has a pair of holes penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of said beam, said pair of holes in registration with one another, and wherein each of said receptacles comprises a top end and a lower end, each of said top and lower ends having a hole in registration with one another and configured to engage a fastener, such that when said first end of one of said longitudinal beams is engaged within said receptacle, said pair of holes of said beam and said receptacle are in registration with one another for engagement therein of one of said plurality of fasteners.  
     
     
         38 . The roof of  claim 37 , wherein said first and second fasteners comprise a bolt and nut.  
     
     
         39 . The tiki shelter of  claim 32 , wherein at least of one of said connectors has a central opening formed by said outer periphery walls, said roof further including a cover secured to said roof and movably positioned upon said at least one connector to cover said opening.  
     
     
         40 . An artificial tiki shelter comprising: 
 a. a roof, said roof further comprising: 
 (i) two central connectors, each of said connectors having an outer periphery and comprising a series of mounting brackets extending outward from said periphery;  
 (ii) a center horizontal member secured to and disposed between said two central connectors;  
 (iii) a first plurality of longitudinal beams, each having upper and lower surfaces, and each of said beams further having a first end secured to one of said mounting brackets and an opposing second end, wherein adjacent longitudinal beams are connected to one another by one of a plurality of fascia members;  
 (iv) a second plurality of longitudinal beams, each having upper and lower surfaces and each of said second plurality of longitudinal beams further having a first end secured to said center horizontal member and an opposing second end, wherein adjacent longitudinal beams of said second plurality are connected to one another by one of said plurality of said fascia members;  
 (v) said fascia members secured to said second ends of said adjacent longitudinal beams of said first and second pluralities of longitudinal beams to form an outer periphery of said roof;  
 (vi) one or more first fasteners for securing said first end of each of said first plurality of longitudinal beams to said mounting bracket;  
 (vii) one or more second fasteners for securing said first end of each of said second plurality of longitudinal beams to said central horizontal member; and  
 (viii) a plurality of artificial thatch segments secured to said upper surfaces of two adjacent longitudinal beams of said first and second pluralities of longitudinal beams and arranged upon said longitudinal beams such that a portion of one of said segments partially overlaps a subjacent thatch segment; and  
   b. at least two vertical support members secured to said roof.    
     
     
         41 . The tiki shelter of  claim 40 , wherein said shelter includes at least four vertical support members secured to said roof, each having a top end and a bottom end, said top end secured to either one of said fascia members or one of said longitudinal beams, and said bottom end configured to rest upon or engage an underlying ground surface.  
     
     
         42 . The tiki shelter of  claim 40 , wherein each of said vertical support members has a bottom end and a top end, said top end secured to one of said central connectors, and wherein said bottom end is configured to rest upon or engage an underlying ground surface.  
     
     
         43 . The tiki shelter of  claim 40 , further including a least one support rod secured to at least one of said vertical support members, each of said support rods having one end secured to one of said longitudinal beams and a second end secured to one of said vertical support members.  
     
     
         44 . The tiki shelter of  claim 40 , wherein at least one of said vertical support members comprises an outer jacket.  
     
     
         45 . The tiki shelter of  claim 44 , wherein said outer jacket is formed of a material selected from the group of natural bamboo and materials resembling bamboo.  
     
     
         46 . The tiki shelter of  claim 40 , wherein at least one of said connectors has a central opening formed by said outer periphery walls, said roof further including a cover secured to said roof and movably positioned upon said at least one connector to cover said opening.  
     
     
         47 . A kit for easy assembly of an artificial tiki shelter, said kit comprising: 
 a series of components, said components comprising the longitudinal beams, the fascia members, the fasteners, the thatch segments, the cover, and the central connector of  claim 31;  and    a container for carrying said components.    
     
     
         48 . The kit of  claim 47 , further including bracket assemblies for connecting said fascia members to said longitudinal beams upon assembly.  
     
     
         49 . The kit of  claim 48 , wherein said bracket assemblies further comprises fasteners for securing said brackets to said fascia members to said longitudinal beams upon assembly.  
     
     
         50 . A kit for easy assembly of an artificial tiki shelter roof, said kit comprising: 
 a series of components, said components comprising the longitudinal beams, the fascia members, the fasteners, the thatch segments, the cover, the central horizontal member, and said at least two central connectors of  claim 39;  and    a container for carrying said components.    
     
     
         51 . The kit of  claim 50 , further including bracket assemblies for connecting said fascia members to said longitudinal beams upon assembly.  
     
     
         52 . The kit of  claim 51 , wherein said bracket assemblies further comprises fasteners for securing said brackets to said fascia members to said longitudinal beams upon assembly.