Gazebos with decorative posts having replaceable tops

Abstract

A gazebo having four or more support columns connected together to form a frame structure which supports a covering support structure which in turn supports a roof covering has decorative posts (e.g., eight in number when four support columns are used) which are connected to the frame structure so that each support column is connected to two decorative posts, and each of the decorative posts has a replaceable top which can be an ornamental top, a bird feeder, a planter or a light, and the tops can be mix and matched, or identical tops can be used with all of the decorative posts, or some partial combination or grouped combination can be used, thus allowing for substantial customization opportunities. The decorative posts can have electrical connections running to connecting support columns, and all of the electrical connections can be connected together and connected to a solar energy source supported by the covering support structure. The electrical connections in the decorative posts, their connections to the support columns and the support columns can be concealed from view.

1 . A gazebo, comprising: 
 a four corner frame structure having four support columns connected together so that each support column is connected to two other support columns;    a covering support structure supported by the four corner frame structure;    a roof covering supported by the covering support structure; and    eight decorative posts connected to the four corner frame structure so that each of the support columns has two decorative posts connected to it in different directions; wherein    each of the eight decorative posts has a replaceable top.    
   
   
       2 . The gazebo of  claim 1 , wherein each of the four support columns and each of the eight decorative posts have a base for resting on the ground so that the gazebo, when fully assembled, will be supported by twelve bases.  
   
   
       3 . The gazebo of  claim 1 , wherein the replaceable top is selected from the group comprising an ornamental top, a bird feeder, a planter and a light.  
   
   
       4 . The gazebo of  claim 3 , wherein each of the eight decorative posts has an identical replaceable top.  
   
   
       5 . The gazebo of  claim 3 , wherein at least four of the eight decorative posts have an identical replaceable top.  
   
   
       6 . The gazebo of  claim 3  wherein a first of the decorative posts has a post electrical connection that runs from the post to a first support column it is connected to and the post electrical connection is concealed from view when the replaceable top is in place.  
   
   
       7 . The gazebo of  claim 6 , wherein the first support column has a support electrical connection that connects the post electrical connection to a solar energy source that is supported by the covering support structure.  
   
   
       8 . The gazebo of  claim 7 , wherein the support electrical connection is concealed within the first support column.  
   
   
       9 . The gazebo of  claim 3  wherein each of the decorative posts has a post electrical connection that runs to the support column it is connected to and each of the post electrical connections is concealed from view when the replaceable top is in place.  
   
   
       10 . The gazebo of  claim 9 , wherein each of the support columns has a support electrical connection that is connected to the post electrical connection in each of the two decorative posts connected to said support column and all four support electrical connections are electrically connected.  
   
   
       11 . The gazebo of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a solar energy source supported by the covering support structure that is electrically connected to the four support electrical connections.    
   
   
       12 . The gazebo of  claim 1 , wherein the two decorative posts connected to each support column are connected such that they form a substantially ninety degree angle and all eight decorative posts are located within a substantially square footprint.  
   
   
       13 . The gazebo of  claim 1 , wherein each replaceable top is threadably connected to a decorative post.  
   
   
       14 . The gazebo of  claim 1 , wherein each replaceable top is at least partially underneath the roof covering.  
   
   
       15 . The gazebo of  claim 1 , wherein each decorative post is connected to one of the four support columns by a decorative panel.  
   
   
       16 . The gazebo of  claim 15 , wherein the decorative panel has an upper connection between one of the decorative posts and one of the decorative panels, a lower connection between said decorative post and said decorative panel and a panel connection between the upper and lower connections.  
   
   
       17 . A gazebo, comprising: 
 at least four support columns connected together to form a frame structure in which each support column is connected to two other support columns;    a covering support structure supported by the frame structure;    a roof covering supported by the covering support structure; and    a plurality of decorative posts connected to one or more of the support columns so that at least one of the support columns has two decorative posts connected to it in different directions;    wherein each of the decorative posts has a replaceable top.    
   
   
       18 . The gazebo of  claim 17 , wherein the replaceable top is comprised of a light.  
   
   
       19 . The gazebo of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a central wiring system substantially concealed from view that electrically connects each replaceable top to a power source.    
   
   
       20 . The gazebo of  claim 19 , wherein the power source is provided by a solar collector supported by the covering support structure.