Solar powered window shade

• US 5,413,161 A
• Filed: 09/09/1993
• Issued: 05/09/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Warren Corazzini
• Original Assignee: Warren Corazzini
• Inventors: Corazzini, Warren
• Primary Examiner(s): Purol, David M.
• Application Number:
  US08/118,517
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 160/1, 160/2, 160/7, 160/9, 160/10, 160/168.1 R, 160/168.1 P, 160/168.1 V, 160/176.1 R, 160/176.1 P, 160/176.1 V, 160/DIG. 17, 160/331, 160/236 , 160/178.1 R, 160/178.1 V
• US Class Current: 160/7
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/71 responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/146 Shutters
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/148 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/32 Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor operation of tilting bars E06B9/307

Abstract

A solar powered window shade is provided which consists of a venetian blind mounted within an interior of a frame of a window in a wall of a building. An apparatus is carried by the venetian blind, for converting solar radiation of sunlight into electrical energy. A mechanism is carried by the venetian blind for utilizing the electrical energy to open and close the venetian blind. At sunrise and all through the day, the venetian blind will remain opened to allow sunlight to enter through the window, to help heat up the building. At sunset and all through the night, the venetian blind will remain closed to produce a thermal barrier, to help retain the heat within the building.

Claims

1. A solar powered window shade which comprises:

a) a head channel affixed horizontally to an underside of a head jamb of the frame of a window in a wall of a building, a venetian blind having slats mounted within an interior of said frame below said head channel

b) means comprising a solar panel mounted on said head channel facing the window to receive the solar radiation and a plurality of interconnected solar cells within said solar panel, each solar panel converting the solar radiation into electrical energy;

c) means comprising a reversible electric motor mounted within said head channel and electrically connected to said solar cells within said solar panel, so as to be operated by the electrical energy for opening and closing said slats in said venetian blind, so that at sunrise and all through the day, said venetian blind will remain opened to allow sunlight to enter through the window to held heat up the building and at sunset and all through the night said venetian blind will remain closed, to produce a thermal barrier to held retain the heat within the building;

d) control unit means electrically connected to said motor, so that said motor can be operated both manually and automatically, said control unit means comprising an elongate electrical cord suspended to hang down from said head channel, a housing on the bottom end of said electrical cord, said housing containing first switch means which upon being manually pressed will cause said motor to rotate in the direction of opening said slats, seccond switch means which when manually pressed will cause said motor to rotate in the direction of closing said slats, automatic timed set switch means when activated will cause said motor to rotate in the directions of open and close said slats at predetermined time intervals, and a clock for setting said automatic timed set switch means; and

e) battery means carried in said head channel electrically connected to said motor as a back up to supply electrical energy when there is insufficient sunlight.

2. A solar powered window shade as recited in claim 1, further including a clock mounted in said head channel, which can be synchronized with said clock in said control unit means and can be viewed from within the building.

3. A solar powered window shade as recited in claim 2, further including a light mounted in said head channel, which can be energized at night to shine into the building, so as to make it appear that there is someone in the building for security reasons.

4. A solar powered window shade as recited in claim 3, wherein each said slat is hollow, so that when said venetian blind is closed, said hollow slats will produce a better thermal barrier between said venetian blind and the window.