US 12,331,505 B2
Support beam for screened enclosure and connectors therefore
Nicole Hickey, Ft. Meyers, FL (US)
Assigned to Nico IP, LLC, Fort Myers, FL (US)
Filed by Florida Sales & Marketing, LLC, Fort Meyers, FL (US)
Filed on Apr. 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/139,114.
Application 18/139,114 is a continuation of application No. 29/756,106, filed on Oct. 26, 2020, granted, now D984679.
Prior Publication US 2023/0340773 A1, Oct. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. E04B 1/24 (2006.01)
CPC E04B 1/2403 (2013.01) [E04B 2001/2421 (2013.01); E04B 2001/2451 (2013.01); E04B 2001/2457 (2013.01); E04B 2001/2472 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A beam system for a screened enclosure, the system comprising:
an elongated rectangular beam having flat exterior sides, an interior channel extending longitudinally therethrough, and at least three spline grooves each adjacent an edge of the elongated rectangular beam, wherein each of the spline grooves include an outward facing opening and a recessed portion, wherein the opening is configured to receive an edge of a screen panel and an elastomeric spline component to secure the screen panel to the rectangular beam,
an insert sized and configured to fit within the interior channel of the rectangular beam, the insert comprising a central pillar having angular caps attached to opposing lateral ends, wherein the insert is configured to provide connection between two adjacent beams,
wherein the angular caps each comprise a pentagon-shaped closed structure having two right angles, wherein a first side of the closed structure that meets second and third sides at internal right angles faces an inner side wall of the elongated rectangular beam, wherein the closed structure is connected to the central pillar via a vertex of a fourth and fifth side of closed structure,
wherein the angular caps of the insert each include a plurality of apertures in the second and third sides extending along a longitudinal length thereof, and the elongated rectangular beam includes apertures alignable with a portion of or all of the plurality of apertures of the insert, wherein aligned apertures of the elongated rectangular beam and the insert are each configured to accept a fastening element.