Sunshades with Solar Power Supplies for Charging Electronic Devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An umbrella comprising:
- a collapsible frame structure comprising;
a cap structure that comprises a plurality of first hinge structures;
a plurality of rigid struts comprising a plurality of second hinge structures, wherein each of the rigid struts is coupled to one of the first hinge structures of the cap via a respective one of the second hinge structures, and for each of the rigid struts, while the first and the second hinge structures are mated together, the rigid strut is rotatable about the mated first and second hinge structures; and
a plurality of solar panels, wherein at least one of the solar panels is coupled to each of the rigid struts; and
a collapsible umbrella shade, wherein the cap of the collapsible frame structure is coupled to a shaft of the umbrella and the cap is secured by a finial to the shaft, so that plurality of rigid struts are position above an exterior of the collapsible umbrella shade,the collapsible umbrella shade comprises an open position and a collapsed position,when the collapsible umbrella shade is in the open position, each of the rigid struts is rotated to a first position comprising a first angle between a top of the cap and a top of the rigid strut, andwhen the collapsible umbrella shade is in the closed position, each of the rigid struts is rotated to a second position comprising a second angle between the top of the cap and the top of the rigid strut, and the second angle is greater than the first angle.
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Abstract
A device includes a frame structure; a shade attached to the frame structure; and a pole attached to the frame structure. The device includes a solar panel attached to the frame structure and positioned above the shade. The frame and the shade unfold upward along the pole to open the shade. The solar panel rotates up as the frame and shade unfold upward. The frame and the shade fold down along the pole to close the shade. The solar panel rotates down as the frame and shade fold down.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An umbrella comprising:
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a collapsible frame structure comprising; a cap structure that comprises a plurality of first hinge structures; a plurality of rigid struts comprising a plurality of second hinge structures, wherein each of the rigid struts is coupled to one of the first hinge structures of the cap via a respective one of the second hinge structures, and for each of the rigid struts, while the first and the second hinge structures are mated together, the rigid strut is rotatable about the mated first and second hinge structures; and a plurality of solar panels, wherein at least one of the solar panels is coupled to each of the rigid struts; and a collapsible umbrella shade, wherein the cap of the collapsible frame structure is coupled to a shaft of the umbrella and the cap is secured by a finial to the shaft, so that plurality of rigid struts are position above an exterior of the collapsible umbrella shade, the collapsible umbrella shade comprises an open position and a collapsed position, when the collapsible umbrella shade is in the open position, each of the rigid struts is rotated to a first position comprising a first angle between a top of the cap and a top of the rigid strut, and when the collapsible umbrella shade is in the closed position, each of the rigid struts is rotated to a second position comprising a second angle between the top of the cap and the top of the rigid strut, and the second angle is greater than the first angle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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providing a collapsible frame structure comprising; a cap structure that comprises a plurality of first hinge structures; a plurality of rigid struts comprising a plurality of second hinge structures, wherein each of the rigid struts is coupled to one of the first hinge structures of the cap via a respective one of the second hinge structures, and for each of the rigid struts, while the first and the second hinge structures are mated together, the rigid strut is rotatable about the mated first and second hinge structures; and a plurality of solar panels, wherein at least one of the solar panels is coupled to each of the rigid struts; and providing a collapsible umbrella shade, wherein the cap of the collapsible frame structure is coupled to a shaft of the umbrella and the cap is secured by a fastener to the shaft, so that plurality of rigid struts are position above an exterior of the collapsible umbrella shade, changing the collapsible umbrella shade from a collapsed position to an open position; and rotating the rigid struts from a first angular position to a second angular position about hinges formed from the mated first and second hinge structures, wherein in the first angular position, each of the rigid struts is oriented at first angle, which is between a top of the cap and a top of the rigid strut, in the second angular position, each of the rigid struts is oriented at second angle, which is between a top of the cap and a top of the rigid strut, and the second angle is greater than the first angle. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An umbrella comprising:
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a collapsible frame structure comprising a cap structure that comprises a plurality of arms and a plurality of first hinge structures, wherein the first hinge structures are respectively positioned at ends of the arms; a plurality of rigid struts comprising a plurality of second hinge structures, wherein each of the rigid struts is coupled to one of the first hinge structures of the cap via a respective one of the second hinge structures, and for each of the rigid struts, while the first and the second hinge structures are mated together, the rigid strut is rotatable about the mated first and second hinge structures; a plurality of photovoltaic cells, wherein each of the rigid struts comprises a clear sleeve into which at least one of the photovoltaic cells is inserted; plurality of electrical wires routed from electrical connectors on the solar panels through openings in the rigid struts and under the cap and hinges formed by the mated first and second hinge structures; a collapsible umbrella shade, wherein the cap of the collapsible frame structure is coupled to a shaft of the umbrella and the cap is secured by a fastener to the shaft, so that plurality of rigid struts are position above an exterior of the collapsible umbrella shade, the collapsible umbrella shade comprises an open position and a collapsed position, when the collapsible umbrella shade is in the open position, each of the rigid struts is rotated to a first position comprising a first angle between a top of the cap and a top of the rigid strut, and when the collapsible umbrella shade is in the closed position, each of the rigid struts is rotated to a second position comprising a second angle between the top of the cap and the top of the rigid strut, and the second angle is greater than the first angle; and a battery housing, coupled to the shaft of the umbrella, comprising a plurality of USB charging ports;
a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a circuit positioned on the PCB;
a rechargeable battery electrically coupled to the solar panels through the circuit, wherein the USB charging parts are electrically coupled through the circuit to the rechargeable batter;
openings respectively positioned in front of the USB charging ports; and
a plurality of retractable covers that are biased to cover the charging ports.
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Specification