Solar powered umbrella
A self-contained, maintenance free, rechargeable, and portable device with a photovoltaic canopy that provides electricity to a variety of electrical devices while under direct sunlight and in the absence of sunlight. The system operates and functions accordingly in the absence of a direct power source. By utilizing solar energy, the system is free of electrical cords, thereby making it usable in a variety of applications where electrical outlets are either not readily accessible or may present a safety concern.
Conventionally, beach and table umbrellas are used to provide protection from the high temperature or vigorous sunlight. On the other hand, an umbrella outfitted with photovoltaic material, rechargeable batteries, an electrical outlet, and wires connecting the components together, which transfer electrical current, provide electricity at any time of day. Examples of what can be powered by the aforementioned device are the following: an electric grill, electric ice cooler, radio, television, DVD player, I-Pod, portable video game console, fan, possible heater and air conditioning unit can be individually attached to the side of the umbrella. The solar powered umbrella may either fit on a patio table with a stand, dug into the sand at the beach, or placed outside any given area that requires its need. During dusk, nighttime hours or during periods where there is insufficient sunlight, the umbrella can power up electrical appliances by means of rechargeable batteries. Electrical components may typically be attached to the pole of the umbrella and are powered by a standard electrical outlet. The need for an external power source increases the effectiveness of this umbrella under certain situations, such as in a crowded outdoor restaurant where multiple extension cords may be a safety hazard, or in secluded areas where access to an electrical outlet may be difficult or impossible.
Furthermore, the wiring are mounted on the ribs of the conventional models of the umbrella canopies, they are trapped within the ribs and the hard surfaces of these ribs serve as support mechanisms when closing or lowering the fabric canopy.
Therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a self-contained, maintenance-free, rechargeable electricity providing system in combination with an umbrella, this system is suitable during periods of insufficient sunlight, without the necessity of external wires or cords. This invention finds application in a variety of locations, such as beaches, patios, decks, backyards, kiosks, outdoor dining areas, and queue lines.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical device charger umbrella assembly, including a canopy, a support member supporting the canopy between an open position and a closed position, and a rechargeable battery system including one or more photovoltaic solar materials, and an energy storage component associated with the one or more photovoltaic solar collectors.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an electrical device charger umbrella assembly within minimal or no wiring in the vicinity of the umbrella ribs, and that utilizes an electrical outlet that is positioned a safe distance away from the hard surfaces of the umbrella canopy.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an umbrella kit including the aforementioned components, along with instructions for assembling the same umbrella with the components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA Solar Umbrella that provides a self-contained electrical device charger system in combination with an umbrella. The solar umbrella charger system includes one or more outlet sources, which preferably are mounted on the pole of the umbrella and are powered by an energy storage component such as one or more batteries. The energy storage component is preferably housed in close proximity to the umbrella stand, and is recharged by energy received from a solar collector preferably attached to the outer surface of the canopy. The system also comprises a power manager, which directs energy from the solar collector to the energy storage component during periods of sunlight, and draws energy from the energy storage component to power electrical appliances during periods of sunlight and insufficient sunlight.
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The manager uses the sun's power produced during periods of daylight hours to distribute electricity to electrical devices.
The solar photovoltaic panels should be kept free of any items that may reduce the available sunlight rays from reaching the photovoltaic panels. Not limited to a “slot and key” arrangement, a roll up, or a push up design to open the solar umbrella may be applied in the supporting member to open and close the canopy.
If needed to exchange the power manager controller, unscrew or pop open the door to replace it. When the battery uses all of its available power, the electrical power manager will be turned off. When voltage is reinstated to the battery by the sun's energy being collected from the photovoltaic panels and the power manager will resume operation.
The present invention may be provided in the form of a kit, whereas one or more solar collectors, the energy storage component, the power manager, and suitable wiring are provided for either retrofitting with an existing umbrella, or are included with an umbrella. Instructions for assembly of the solar powered, illuminated, stand-alone umbrella are inc
Claims
1. I am asking to be protected an umbrella comprising of photovoltaic material, rechargeable batteries, whether Lithium-ion, NiCad, etc, an electrical outlet, diodes, inverter, converters, electric solenoid switch(s), dc bypass, dc electrical current splitter, static inverter(s), static inverter with a built-in solenoid switch, circuit breaker(s), fuse(s), and solid and/or stranded electrical wires fit for one or different size gauge sizes, which have these components connected together in no particular series and transfers electrical current collected by the sun's radiation and chemical reaction form the photovoltaic solar panel(s) to provide electricity at any time of day, which is referred to as the “solar powered umbrella” in this patent.
2. I am asking to be protected the solar powered umbrella with the intent to use at any random location that protects against the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays and at the same time provide a user with a portable source of electricity to power up and/or charge small electrical appliances, among the many there are cell phones, laptops, televisions, CD players, radios, portable DVD/TV combination players, electric grills, electric coolers, cell phones, PDAs, string of lights, etc.
3. I am asking to be protected a portable electricity source attached to some sort of canopy, pole or stem with all of claim 1 and 2 electronic components built in, that has the capabilities to bring electrical current to electrical appliances as a power outlet.
4. I am asking to be protected a cigarette lighter outlet and household electrical outlet connected to all electrical components found in claim 1 and 2 that fit within a portable housing station while collecting solar rays be means of photovoltaic panels.
5. I am asking to be protected a solar powered self contained apparatus which delivers electricity to a variety of different electrical components.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 17, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 13, 2007
Applicant: Enlightened Innovations (Davie, FL)
Inventors: Arian Reyes (Sunrise, FL), Kluis Jermaine Wimbush (Davie, FL)
Application Number: 11/487,274
International Classification: A45B 3/04 (20060101);