Patio enclosure support member

Abstract

A support member for a sunroom or patio enclosure comprises a pair of interfitting elongated U-shaped channel members that are latched resiliently together to form a hollow rectangular tube. Side panels of a first channel member fit inside side panels of a second channel member and extend to a position immediately adjacent the back panel of the second channel member, so the side panels overlap and reinforce each other for a substantial portion of the width of the side panels. The channel members are latched together by a latch mechanism comprising slots in the front edges of the inner side panels of the first channel member that engage ridges positioned in the outer side panels immediately adjacent the back panel of the second channel member. The latch automatically engages when the two channel members are slid together and resists disengagement. The latch provides for maximum overlap of the side panels of the two channel members and positions the latch mechanism adjacent the back panel of the second channel members so it does not obstruct panels or other structures that might be inserted in the second channel member.

1 . A support member for a sunroom or patio enclosure comprising a pair of interfitting elongated U-shaped metal channel members, each channel member having a pair of spaced parallel side panels and a back panel extending at right angles between rear edges of the side panels, the channel members fitting together to form a rectangular tube with the legs of the two channel members abutting in overlapping engagement, the side panels of a first channel member comprising inner panels and fitting inside the side panels of the other channel member, which legs comprise outer side panels, the support member further including a latch mechanism that engages front edges of the inner side panels with rear inside portions of the outer side panels such that the channel members latch together when the two channel members are pressed together, the latch resisting separation of the two channel members once they are latched together, the side panels overlapping for a substantial portion of the width of the side panels.  
   
   
       2 . A support member as in  claim 1  wherein the inside side panels are of approximately equal width.  
   
   
       3 . A support member as in  claim 2  wherein the latch mechanism comprises outwardly facing grooves at outer ends of the inner side panels and inwardly extending ridges adjacent a back edge of the outer side panels, with at least one of the inner and outer side panels including a cam surface that causes the edge of the inner side panel to deflect inwardly so the groove and ridge can slide into interfitting engagement.