Abstract: A solar window shade includes a frame for supporting louvers for shading at least one window of a building. Preferably, the frame is pivotally connected to the building above the window, and a frame drive system selectively pivots the frame upwardly or downwardly in accordance with the elevation of the sun. A louver drive system rotates the louvers within the frame to track east-to-west movements of the sun. The louvers are preferably provided as outer and inner louvers interlaced with each other, and such louvers nest with one another when the sun is hidden, or approaches from an acute angle, to maximize passage of indirect light rays to light the interior, while minimizing obstruction of the view through the window. The device is modular and is easily applied to aligned rows of windows and/or windows on multi-story buildings, with central control of the associated frame drive and louver drive systems.

Abstract: A solar window shade includes a frame for supporting louvers for shading at least one window of a building. Preferably, the frame is pivotally connected to the building above the window, and a frame drive system selectively pivots the frame upwardly or downwardly in accordance with the elevation of the sun. A louver drive system rotates the louvers within the frame to track east-to-west movements of the sun. The louvers are preferably provided as outer and inner louvers interlaced with each other, and such louvers nest with one another when the sun is hidden, or approaches from an acute angle, to maximize passage of indirect light rays to light the interior, while minimizing obstruction of the view through the window. The device is modular and is easily applied to aligned rows of windows and/or windows on multi-story buildings, with central control of the associated frame drive and louver drive systems.

Abstract: A venetian blind having prismatic reflective slatted panels permits the passage of indirect rays of sunlight into a space to be illuminated while reflecting direct rays of sunlight away from the space to be illuminated. The prismatic reflective slats are supported for rotation in unison to follow elevational movements of the sun. Each of the prismatic panels is made from a light transmissive material having a front face directed at the sun and an opposing rear face upon which reflective prisms are formed for internally reflecting rays of sunlight that strike the front face of each slatted panel at approximately a 30.degree. angle from a line normal to the front face thereof. The orientation of the reflecting prisms in this manner maximizes overall visibility between adjacent slatted panels. A diffusion panel is secured to the rear face of each prismatic reflective slat for diffusing indirect rays of sunlight transmitted through the prismatic reflective slats.

Abstract: A solar collector assembly includes shingles which have integral tubes projecting therefrom, and which are mounted in overlapping parallel array. Mounting brackets for the shingles are engaged on roof rafters or the like, and interlocked light transmissive plates overlie the shingles. The plates are also engaged with shingle components. A special fitting for the tube ends is provided.

Abstract: An extruded aluminum planar roofing shingle with a structural capability of spanning over six feet which incorporates an integral tube which projects from its lower surface, the shingles being mounted in edge overlapping, parallel array fashion across laterally spaced, inclined roof rafters of a building structure and being interlocked at said edges, each shingle extending the full length of the roof. Preferably, a light transmissive plate of a size corresponding generally to that of the shingle is carried by each shingle on the upper surface of the shingle and spaced therefrom to enhance heating of the extruded aluminum shingle and collection of solar heat thereby. A second layer may also be applied in such a manner that there is an insulation air space between each layer of the light transmissive plate.