Pergola

Abstract

A pergola includes: a plurality of posts; two opposite tie beams supported on the posts; and a plurality of rafters spaced apart from each other and supported on the tie beams, each of the rafters including a first segment, a second segment, and a connecting unit interconnecting the first segment and the second segment. The connecting unit includes a first end cap and a second end cap. The first end cap is secured in the first segment and is formed with a retaining hole. The second end cap is secured in the second segment and is formed with a protrusion which engages releasably the retaining hole in the first end cap.

1 . A pergola comprising: 
 a plurality of posts;    two opposite tie beams supported on said posts; and    a plurality of rafters spaced apart from each other and supported on said tie beams, each of said rafters including a first segment, a second segment, and a first connecting unit interconnecting said first segment and said second segment, said first connecting unit including a first end cap and a second end cap, said first end cap being secured in said first segment and being formed with a retaining hole, said second end cap being secured in said second segment and being formed with a protrusion which engages releasably said retaining hole in said first end cap.    
   
   
       2 . The pergola of  claim 1 , wherein each of said rafters further includes a first sleeve which is sleeved on the respective one of said rafters at a position where said first connecting unit is located.  
   
   
       3 . The pergola of  claim 1 , wherein said protrusion of said second end cap of said first connecting unit has a head portion with a first diameter and a rod portion with a second diameter smaller than said first diameter of said head portion, said retaining hole in said first end cap of said first connecting unit having a first section with a diameter larger than said first diameter of said head portion of said protrusion, and a second section extending from said first section and having a diameter smaller than said first diameter of said head portion of said protrusion and larger than said second diameter of said rod portion of said protrusion.  
   
   
       4 . The pergola of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first segment and said second segment of each of said rafters has a notch for insertion of a respective one of said tie beams thereinto.  
   
   
       5 . The pergola of  claim 4 , wherein each of said rafters further includes a third segment and a second connecting unit interconnecting said third segment and said first segment, said second connecting unit including a third end cap and a fourth end cap, said third end cap being secured in said first segment and being formed with a retaining hole, said fourth end cap being secured in said third segment and being formed with a protrusion which engages releasably said retaining hole in said third end cap of said second connecting unit.  
   
   
       6 . The pergola of  claim 5 , wherein each of said rafters further includes a second sleeve which is sleeved on the respective one of said rafters at a position where said second connecting unit is located.  
   
   
       7 . The pergola of  claim 5 , wherein said protrusion of said fourth end cap of said second connecting unit has a head portion with a first diameter and a rod portion with a second diameter smaller than said first diameter of said head portion of said protrusion of said fourth end cap of said second connecting unit, said retaining hole in said third end cap of said second connecting unit having a third section with a diameter larger than said first diameter of said head portion of said protrusion of said fourth end cap of said second connecting unit, and a fourth section extending from said third section and having a diameter smaller than said first diameter of said head portion of said protrusion of said fourth end cap of said second connecting unit and larger than said second diameter of said rod portion of said protrusion of said fourth end cap of said second connecting unit.  
   
   
       8 . The pergola of  claim 5 , wherein each of said first segment and said third segment of each of said rafters has a notch for insertion of a respective one of said tie beams thereinto.  
   
   
       9 . The pergola of  claim 5 , wherein each of said first segment, said second segment, and said third segment of each of said rafters is in the form of a hollow metal column, said hollow metal column of said first segment having two open ends, each of said hollow metal columns of said second segment and said third segment having an open end, each of said first, second, third, and fourth end caps being fittingly received in said open end of said hollow metal columns of a respective one of said first, second, and third segments.