Outdoor structure design and components

Abstract

An outdoor structure is disclosed. In some examples, the outdoor structure includes a front beam, a back beam opposite the front beam, and a first side beam and a second side beam each coupled to the front beam and the back beam. The outdoor structure also includes a plurality of posts coupled to one or more of the beams. Further, the outdoor structure includes a plurality of panel supporting elements secured to the posts. In some examples, one or more panels are secured to the panel supporting elements. In some examples, the outdoor structure includes a plurality of rod supporting elements secured to the posts. In some examples, a rod is secured to the plurality of rod supporting elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An outdoor structure, comprising:
 a front beam;   a back beam opposite the front beam;   a first side beam;   a second side beam opposite the first side beam;   a plurality of posts, each post coupled to at least one of the front beam, the back beam, the first side beam, and the second side beam; and   a panel support coupled to at least one of the plurality of posts.   
     
     
         2 . The outdoor structure of  claim 1 , comprising a panel coupled to the panel support. 
     
     
         3 . The outdoor structure of  claim 2 , wherein the panel support comprises a plurality of windows and corresponding support levels. 
     
     
         4 . The outdoor structure of  claim 3 , wherein the panel comprises a plurality of beams, and each of the plurality of beams rest on one of the support levels. 
     
     
         5 . The outdoor structure of  claim 4 , wherein the panel comprises a plurality of slats coupled to at least one of the plurality of beams. 
     
     
         6 . The outdoor structure of  claim 4 , wherein the panel comprises a slat forming a solid surface between the plurality of beams. 
     
     
         7 . The outdoor structure of  claim 4 , wherein the panel comprises at least one support cover configured to slide along the plurality of beams and over the panel support. 
     
     
         8 . The outdoor structure of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one support cover couples to the panel support with at least one snap-fit. 
     
     
         9 . The outdoor structure of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one of the plurality of posts comprises an external slot defined by a first slot plate and a second slot plate; and 
 the panel support is in contact with the first slot plate and the second slot plate. 
 
     
     
         10 . The outdoor structure of  claim 9  comprising at least one locking piece, wherein the locking piece is configured to rotate within the external slot to couple the panel support to the at least one of the plurality of posts. 
     
     
         11 . An outdoor structure, comprising:
 a front beam;   a back beam opposite the front beam;   a first side beam;   a second side beam opposite the first side beam;   a plurality of posts, each post coupled to at least one of the front beam, the back beam, the first side beam, and the second side beam; and   a rod support coupled to at least one of the plurality of posts.   
     
     
         12 . The outdoor structure of  claim 11  comprising a rod coupled to the rod support. 
     
     
         13 . The outdoor structure of  claim 11  wherein:
 the at least one of the plurality of posts comprises an external slot defined by a first slot plate and a second slot plate; and 
 the rod support is in contact with the first slot plate and the second slot plate. 
 
     
     
         14 . The outdoor structure of  claim 13  comprising at least one locking piece, wherein the locking piece is configured to rotate within the external slot to couple the rod support to the at least one of the plurality of posts. 
     
     
         15 . The outdoor structure of  claim 11  comprising a spacing element positioned between the rod support and one of the front beam, the back beam, the first side beam, and the second side beam. 
     
     
         16 . The outdoor structure of  claim 15 , wherein the rod support comprises a protrusion, and the spacing element is secured by a friction fit between a bottom surface of the one of the front beam, the back beam, the first side beam, and the second side beam and the protrusion.