SHINE ON SOLAR TABLE

• US 20140217954A1
• Filed: 02/04/2014
• Published: 08/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nancy K. Wilde
• Original Assignee: Nancy K. Wilde
• Inventors: Wilde, Nancy K.
• Application Number:
  US14/171,913
• Publication Number:
  US 20140217954A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 37/04 Tables specially adapted for use in the garden or otherwise in the open air, e.g. with means for holding umbrellas or umbrella-like sunshades
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells

Abstract

A table is disclosed that uses a built-in solar panel to collect and store electrical energy. The table uses the solar panel as part of the table top. The table includes electrical outlets for both 12-volt DC power and 110-volt AC power.

Claims

1. An electrical energy generating and storing table comprising:

a top surface;

a horizontal photovoltaic panel with a top surface substantially coplanar with the top surface of the table;

a power module comprising;

a direct current battery;

a battery charge controller;

a sine wave power inverter;

a 110-volt power outlet terminal; and

an inverter switch;

wherein the power module is contained within an underpan.

2. The table of claim 1 further comprising a seating surface incoplanar to the top surface.

3. The table of claim 2 further comprising a 12-volt power outlet terminal and wherein the direct current battery comprises a 12-volt deep cycle gel battery.

4. The table of claim 3 further comprising fuseable links electrically isolating the photovoltaic panel from the battery charge controller.

5. The table of claim 3 wherein the 110-volt power outlet terminal comprises a ground fault circuit interrupter.

6. The table of claim 3 further comprising a 12-volt power outlet terminal.

7. The table of claim 3 further comprising trickle charge terminals in electrical communication with the battery charge controller.

8. The table of claim 7 further comprising a toggle switch between the trickle charge terminals and the battery charge controller.

9. The table of claim 3 further comprising a divider in the underpan that physically isolates the battery from the battery charge controller, the sine wave power inverter, the 110-volt power outlet terminal, and the inverter switch.

10. The table of claim 9 further comprising a ventilation port in the underpan.

11. A power generating table comprising:

a table top comprising;

a table surface;

a solar panel having a top surface, the top surface being substantially coplanar with the table surface;

wherein a surface area of the solar panel top surface is greater than a surface area of the table surface;

a base comprising;

a battery;

a battery charge controller;

a sine wave power inverter;

a 110-volt power outlet terminal;

an inverter switch; and

an underpan.

12. The table of claim 11 further comprising a 12-volt power outlet terminal.

13. The table of claim 11 further comprising a 12-volt power outlet terminal and wherein the battery comprises a 12-volt deep cycle gel battery.

14. The table of claim 12 further comprising trickle charge terminals in electrical communication with the battery charge controller.

15. The table of claim 14 further comprising a toggle switch between the trickle charge terminals and the battery charge controller.

16. The table of claim 13 further comprising a sitting surface.

17. A solar energy collecting article of furniture comprising:

a table top defining a table top surface area;

a solar panel inserted within the table top;

defining a solar panel surface area wherein an upper plane of the solar panel is coplanar to an upper plane of the table top;

wherein the solar panel surface area is greater than the table top surface area;

a direct current battery;

a battery charge controller;

a power inverter;

a 110-volt power outlet terminal;

an inverter switch; and

an underpan.

18. The table of claim 17 further comprising a sitting surface incoplanar to the upper plane of the table top.

19. The table of claim 17 wherein the power inverter is a sine wave power inverter.

20. The table of claim 17 further comprising trickle charge terminals in electrical communication with the battery charge controller