Patio enclosures and methods for assembling patio enclosures

Abstract

Patio enclosures and methods for assembling patio enclosures are disclosed. The patio enclosures include supports structures having uprights and cross members and screen panels removably mounted to the support structure by hook-and-loop fasteners, for example, strips of Velcro brand hook-and-loop fasteners. Aspects of the invention allow for the removal and/or storage of the perforated screen panels when the enclosure is subjected to inclement weather, for example, to potential snow fall or wind loads. The present invention allows for the use and enjoyment of patio enclosure in climates prone to inclement weather, for example, the northern United States, among other regions, that otherwise would be impractical for such structures. Outdoor enclosures having removable screen panels are also disclosed.

1 . A patio enclosure comprising;
 a support structure comprising a plurality of support members; and   a plurality of perforated screen panels, each of the plurality of perforated screen panels having a peripheral border, the peripheral border having a strip of a hook-and-loop fastener;   wherein each of the plurality of screen panels is releasably mountable to at least some of the plurality of support members by engaging at least some of the strip of hook-and-loop fastener about the peripheral border of each of the screen panels to a complementary strip of hook-and loop fastener mounted to the at least some of the plurality of support members to form the patio enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The patio enclosure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises:
 a plurality of uprights, each of the plurality of uprights having a top and a bottom;   a plurality of upper cross members, each of the plurality of upper cross members mounted between the top of one of the plurality of uprights and the top of another of the plurality of uprights; and   a plurality of lower cross members, each of the plurality of lower cross members mounted between the bottom of one of the plurality of uprights and the bottom of another of the plurality of uprights;   wherein at least one of the plurality of perforated screen panels is releasably mountable to at least one of the plurality of uprights, at least one of the plurality of upper cross members, and at least one of the plurality of lower cross members.   
     
     
         3 . The patio enclosure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure encompasses a volume. 
     
     
         4 . The patio enclosure as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the volume defines a footprint. 
     
     
         5 . The patio enclosure as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the footprint comprises one of a polygon, a circle, and an oval. 
     
     
         6 . The patio enclosure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the strip of a hook-and-loop fastener the peripheral border of each of the plurality of perforated screen panels comprises a fabric strip having one of hooks and loops. 
     
     
         7 . The patio enclosure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of perforated screen panels comprise rectangular panels having four linear edges. 
     
     
         8 . The patio enclosure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure further comprises a plurality of straps adapted to secure at least one of the plurality of perforated screen panels to the support structure when the at least one perforated screen panel is rolled in to a cylindrical roll. 
     
     
         9 . The patio enclosure as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of straps are adapted to secure the cylindrical roll to one of the plurality of upper cross members and lower cross members. 
     
     
         10 . The patio enclosure as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the strip of a hook-and-loop fastener the peripheral border of each of the plurality of perforated screen panels comprises a fabric strip having one of hooks and loops. 
     
     
         11 . A method of assembling a patio enclosure, the method comprising:
 assembling a support structure comprising a plurality of support members; and   mounting a plurality of perforated screen panels having a peripheral border with a strip of one of hooks and loops of a hook-and-loop type fastener to the plurality of support members of the support structure.   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in any one of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of support members comprises:
 a plurality of uprights, each of the plurality of uprights having a top and a bottom;   a plurality of upper cross members, each of the plurality of upper cross members mounted between the top of one of the plurality of uprights and the top of another of the plurality of uprights; and   a plurality of lower cross members, each of the plurality of lower cross members mounted between the bottom of one of the plurality of uprights and the bottom of another of the plurality of uprights;   wherein at least one of the plurality of perforated screen panels is releasably mountable to at least one of the plurality of uprights, at least one of the plurality of upper cross members, and at least one of the plurality of lower cross members.   
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises rolling at least one of the plurality of perforated screen panels in to a cylindrical roll; and securing the cylindrical roll to the support structure. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein securing the cylindrical roll to the support structure comprises securing the cylindrical roll to the upper cross member with a plurality of straps. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises rolling at least one of the plurality of perforated screen panels in to a cylindrical roll; and securing the cylindrical roll to the support structure. 
     
     
         16 . An outdoor enclosure comprising:
 a support structure comprising a plurality of support members; and   a plurality of perforated screen panels, each of the plurality of perforated screen panels having a peripheral border, the peripheral border having a strip of a hook-and-loop fastener;   wherein each of the plurality of screen panels is releasably mountable to at least some of the plurality of support members by engaging at least some of the strip of hook-and-loop fastener about the peripheral border of each of the screen panels to a complementary strip of hook-and loop fastener mounted to the at least some of the plurality of support members to form the outdoor enclosure.   
     
     
         17 . The outdoor enclosure as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the support structure comprises:
 a plurality of uprights, each of the plurality of uprights having a top and a bottom;   a plurality of upper cross members, each of the plurality of upper cross members mounted between the top of one of the plurality of uprights and the top of another of the plurality of uprights; and   a plurality of lower cross members, each of the plurality of lower cross members mounted between the bottom of one of the plurality of uprights and the bottom of another of the plurality of uprights;   wherein at least one of the plurality of perforated screen panels is releasably mountable to at least one of the plurality of uprights, at least one of the plurality of upper cross members, and at least one of the plurality of lower cross members.   
     
     
         18 . The outdoor enclosure as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the enclosure further comprises a plurality of straps adapted to secure at least one of the plurality of perforated screen panels to the support structure when the at least one perforated screen panel is rolled in to a cylindrical roll. 
     
     
         19 . The patio enclosure as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of straps are adapted to secure the cylindrical roll to one of the plurality of upper cross members and lower cross members. 
     
     
         20 . The outdoor enclosure as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the outdoor enclosure comprises at least one of a patio enclosure, a sun room, a court yard enclosure, a recreation area enclosure; a dining area enclosure; a veranda enclosure; a pool enclosure; a spa enclosure; a hot tub enclosure; a garden enclosure; a greenhouse; and a lanai.