Abstract

An improved framework is disclosed supporting a dome above an outdoor dome covering such as an outdoor swimming pool or other outdoor structure. The improved framework provides additional structural support by the inclusion of a circumferential row of rafter-braces connected by four-way connectors and interspersed with a plurality of biased rafter-braces. The biased rafter-braces are composed of a first tube having an open end sized to receive a second tube and to allow slidable and rotatable movement therebetween. A helical compression spring is disposed within the first tube to secure the first and second tubes together so that they provide a telescoping function by urging the first tube into a first four-way connector tube and the second tube into a second four-way connector tube over a range of distances between four-way connectors. A plurality of substantially equally spaced biased rafter-braces are disposed throughout the circumferential row of rafter-braces thereby allowing greater structural support and stability of the dome covering.