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, and a plurality of louvers coupled to the front and back beams. Further, the front beam includes a motor assembly operably coupled to the plurality of louvers and configured to rotate the plurality of louvers. In some examples, one or more of the beams and one or more of the posts include lighting elements. In some examples, the outdoor structure includes a display unit that allows for opening and closing the plurality of louvers, and for turning on and off the one or more lighting elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An outdoor structure, comprising: a front beam; a back beam opposite the front beam; a first side beam and a second side beam opposite the first side beam, each of the first and second side beams coupled to the front beam and the back beam; a plurality of posts coupled to one or more of the front beam and the back beams; a plurality of louvers coupled to the front and back beams; a motor assembly operably coupled to the plurality of louvers and configured to rotate the plurality of louvers. 
     
     
         2 . The outdoor structure of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the front beam, the back beam, the first side beam, and the second side beam include lighting elements. 
     
     
         3 . The outdoor structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a display unit communicatively coupled to the motor assembly and configured to transmit a first signal to the motor assembly to rotate the plurality of louvers. 
     
     
         4 . The outdoor structure of  claim 1 , wherein the motor assembly comprises:
 an extendible rod; a bracket coupled to the extendible rod; and a rack coupled to the bracket.   
     
     
         5 . The outdoor structure of  claim 4 , wherein the front beam comprises at least one wheel gear engaged with the rack, and wherein each of the at least one wheel gear is coupled to a louver of the plurality of louvers. 
     
     
         6 . An assembly for an outdoor structure, comprising: a post comprising a longitudinally-extending slot defined by a pair of slot forming plates, each having an upper edge; and a beam having a first end, comprising a clamping element, a lip, a first plate, and a second plate, wherein: the lip is configured to rest atop at least one of the upper edges; and the clamping element is configured to receive and clamp down on the slot forming plates between the first plate and the second plates. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the lip rests on each of the upper edges. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the upper edges comprise a shoulder. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the shoulder is lower than the upper edges. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the lip comprises a first lip and a second lip, each of the first lip and the second lip configured to rest on a portion of the shoulder. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 6  comprising a bracket, wherein the lip is part of a bracket. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the lip is adapted to curve around the upper edges. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the clamping element comprises a bolt, and wherein the bolt is accessible through the longitudinally-extending slot of the post. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the post comprises a plurality of longitudinally-extending slots defined by corresponding pairs of slot forming plates. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinally-extending slot is configured to receive a tightening tool to access a fastener during assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a bracket, wherein the bracket is positioned between the first plate and the second plate. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the bracket is attached to a top surface of a cavity of the beam. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the post comprises an external longitudinally-extending slot defined by first and second slot plates that extend toward one another from adjacent cavity forming portions. 
     
     
         19 . An assembly for an outdoor structure, comprising: a beam; a motor positioned within a cavity of the beam; and a first wheel operatively coupled to the motor and comprising an opening configured to receive a shaped pin. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first wheel is coupled to the motor by a toothed sliding bar. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 19 , comprising a second wheel operatively coupled to the first wheel by a bracket. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the shaped pin is coupled to a louver. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the motor shifts longitudinally within the cavity of the beam.