Solar powered umbrella table

• US 8,497,656 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2010
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matthew N. Portis Jr, Obadiah Hampton
• Original Assignee: Matthew N. Portis Jr
• Inventors: Hampton, Obadiah, Portis, Matthew N Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): OMAR, AHMED H
• Application Number:
  US12/769,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20110265694A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1027 with means for generating solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1063 with tables
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 3/00 Sticks combined with other objects
• 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: H01M 10/465 with solar battery as charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A solar umbrella and table apparatus with attached chairs features stand-alone AC power, generated from solar energy. The apparatus features an umbrella having solar collection devices and a table with attached seating chairs. The electrical system of the apparatus converts collected solar energy to an electrical voltage. Batteries store the energy provided by the solar panels. Inverters convert the DC voltage output from the storage batteries to 120 volts AC. Power outlet terminals are located on the umbrella and table apparatus allow 120 volts AC powered devices to access the output of the sine wave power inverters.

Claims

1. A table and umbrella apparatus comprising:

an umbrella having at least one solar energy collection device that converts solar energy to an electrical DC voltage;

a pole that supports the umbrella, wherein the pole is connected to a table;

a base station connected to a bottom portion of the table comprising at least one battery that stores the electrical DC voltage and at least one inverter that converts the DC voltage to AC voltage;

moisture detection sensors on the table or umbrella that determines a moisture level, wherein the at least one inverter disconnects if the moisture level is an unsafe level;

and at least one power outlet terminal adapted to receive the AC voltage, wherein an electrical device may be plugged into the at least one power outlet terminal.

2. The table and umbrella apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base station further comprises a battery charge controller that ensures the at least one battery is continuously charging.

3. The table and umbrella apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a power meter display that indicates the at least one solar energy collection device charging current, or a state of a current charge, or a rate of the current charge or a current discharge.

9. The table and umbrella apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moisture sensors comprise an adhesive tape with conductors.

4. A table and umbrella apparatus comprising:

an umbrella having at least one solar energy collection device on a top portion of the umbrella, wherein the at least one solar energy collection device converts solar energy to an electrical DC voltage;

a pole that supports the umbrella, wherein the pole is connected to a table;

a base station connected to a bottom portion of the table comprising at least one battery that stores the electrical DC voltage and at least one inverter that converts the DC voltage to AC voltage;

a moisture detector on the top portion of the umbrella that detects a moisture level of the apparatus;

at least one power outlet terminal adapted to receive the AC voltage,

wherein if the moisture level is an unsafe level of moisture, a voltage current flow from the at least one inverter to the at least one power outlet terminal adapted to receive the AC voltage will immediately disconnect causing a power break in the output flow of the at least one battery.

5. The table and umbrella apparatus of claim 4 further comprising an emergency power switch that can disconnect the inverter from the apparatus in the event of an emergency.

6. The table and umbrella of claim 4 further comprising a power meter display that indicates the moisture level.

10. The table and umbrella apparatus of claim 4, wherein the moisture detectors comprise an adhesive tape with conductors.

7. A method of providing power to an electrical device having an AC plug comprising:

providing a table having an umbrella supported by a pole, wherein the umbrella has at least one solar energy collection device;

collecting solar energy with the at least one solar energy collection device and converting the solar energy to an electrical DC voltage;

providing a base station connected to a bottom portion of the table comprising at least one battery that stores the electrical DC voltage and at least one inverter that converts the DC voltage to AC voltage;

providing at least one power outlet terminal on the pole;

supplying the AC voltage to the at least one power outlet terminal to power the electrical device;

providing a moisture detector that disconnects the least one inverter stopping the flow of power to the at least one power outlet terminal if the moisture level is an unsafe level.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising providing an emergency power switch that can disconnect the inverter from the apparatus in the event of an emergency.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the moisture detectors comprise an adhesive tape with conductors.