Solar-powered automatic curtain opener

• US 8,786,235 B1
• Filed: 10/06/2011
• Issued: 07/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffery S. Mosley
• Original Assignee: Jeffery S. Mosley
• Inventors: Mosley, Jeffery S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ismail, Shawki S
• Assistant Examiner(s): IMTIAZ, ZOHEB S
• Application Number:
  US13/267,555
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 318/466
• US Class Current: 318/466
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 2005/025 controlled by electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 5/00 Devices for drawing draperies, curtains, or the like

Abstract

A solar-powered automatic curtain opener comprises a housing, sensors, a motor, a pair of extendable rods, and a photovoltaic power supply. The housing provides an enclosure for various electrical components of the apparatus including the motor and battery. The sensor automatically actuates the motor based upon ambient light conditions which extends or retracts the rods to selectively open or close a curtain as appropriate. The motor is powered by a battery charged via a photovoltaic cell assembly. When ambient light conditions below a desired threshold are detected, stored energy is utilized in order to close the curtain assembly. The motor is further operable by a user to selectively open or close the curtain. In one embodiment, the housing further comprises a receiver which allows a user to remotely control the open or closed state of the curtains via a corresponding remote control assembly.

Claims

1. An opening and closing apparatus for a curtain, comprising:

a durable housing;

a motor assembly supported within said housing;

a pair of telescoping arm assemblies each operably driven by said motor assembly and extending outward from opposing sides of said housing;

a sensor assembly located on an exterior of said housing and in electrical communication with said motor assembly; and

,

a control means in electrical communication with said sensor assembly;

wherein said pair of telescoping arm assemblies are adapted to removably attach to said curtain;

wherein said pair of telescoping arm assemblies

each further comprises;

a first cylindrical telescoping section;

a second cylindrical telescoping section slidably engaged within said first telescoping section;

a third cylindrical telescoping section slidably engaged within said second telescoping section;

a gripping means attached to a terminal end of said third telescoping section;

a first spring mechanism located internally within said first telescoping section;

a second spring mechanism located internally within said second telescoping section;

wherein said gripping means is removably connected to said curtain;

wherein one of said pair of cord couplings is attached to an interior terminal end of said third telescoping section;

wherein said first and second integral spring mechanisms biases each section towards an outwardly extended state;

wherein said sensor assembly further comprises;

a photovoltaic cell located along an outer surface of said rear panel in electrical communication with said control means;

wherein said cell gathers solar energy and stores said solar energy to said power source; and

, wherein said cell detects a light intensity and generates and transmits a light intensity signal to said control means;

wherein said control means is selectable between an automatic operation and a manual operation to control said motor assembly; and

, wherein said motor assembly simultaneously drives said pair of telescoping arm assemblies to provide selectable incremental opening and closing of said curtain.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a six sided enclosure with an arcuately shaped bottom panel, a top panel, a pair of opposing side panels which provide support to and enable said pair of telescoping arm assemblies to pass through, a front panel, and a rear panel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an attachment means located on said rear panel for removably attaching said housing to a support structure adjacent to said curtain.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said motor assembly further comprises:

at least one reversible electrical motor in electrical communication with a power source, said at least one motor rigidly affixed to an interior of said housing;

a transmission operably driven by said motor; and

,

a pair of cord couplings, each having a first end driven by said transmission and a second end affixed to one of said pair of telescoping arm assemblies.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said transmission further comprises:

a spool connected to an output of said motor to provide reversible winding of said pair of cord couplings; and

,

a guide, comprising a plurality of rigid sections which redirect the motion of each of said pair of cord couplings relative to said motor assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said gripping means further comprises a spring clip.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said control means further comprises:

a control knob located on said top panel, said control knob selectable between said automatic operation and said manual operation, said control knob in electrical communication with said sensor assembly;

a manual actuator located on said top panel and in electrical communication with said control knob;

a circuit board located within said housing in electrical communication with said control knob and said motor assembly;

wherein said automatic operation operates said motor assembly when said light intensity signal directs an opening or a closing of said curtain;

wherein said light intensity signal is compared to a pre-set light level by said circuit board, such that said motor assembly opens said curtain when said light intensity signal is greater than said pre-set level and said motor assembly closes said curtain when said light intensity signal is lesser than said pre-set level;

wherein said manual operation operates said motor assembly when said manual actuator is contacted; and

,

wherein said manual operation provides for forward and reverse actuation.

8. An opening and closing apparatus for a curtain, comprising:

a durable housing;

a motor assembly supported within said housing;

a pair of telescoping arm assemblies each operably driven by said motor assembly and extending outward from opposing sides of said housing;

a sensor assembly located on an exterior of said housing and in electrical communication with said motor assembly and wireless communication with a remote control; and

, a control means in electrical communication with said sensor assembly;

wherein said pair of telescoping arm assemblies are adapted to removably attach to said curtain;

wherein said pair of telescoping arm assemblies each further comprises;

a first cylindrical telescoping section;

a second cylindrical telescoping section slidably engaged within said first telescoping section;

a third cylindrical telescoping section slidably engaged within said second telescoping section;

a gripping means attached to a terminal end of said third telescoping section;

a first spring mechanism located internally within said first telescoping section;

a second spring mechanism located internally within said second telescoping section;

wherein said gripping means is removably connected to said curtain;

wherein one of said pair of cord couplings is attached to an interior terminal end of said third telescoping section;

wherein said first and second integral spring mechanisms biases each section towards an outwardly extended state, wherein said sensor assembly further comprises;

a photovoltaic cell located along an outer surface of said rear panel in electrical communication with said control means;

wherein said cell gathers solar energy and stores said solar energy to said power source; and

, wherein said cell detects a light intensity and generates and transmits a light intensity signal to said control means, wherein said control means is selectable between an automatic operation, a manual operation, and a remote operation to control said motor assembly; and

, wherein said motor assembly simultaneously drives said pair of telescoping arm assemblies to provide selectable incremental opening and closing of said curtain.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said housing further comprises a six sided enclosure with an arcuately shaped bottom panel, a top panel, a pair of opposing side panels which provide support to and enable said pair of telescoping arm assemblies to pass through, a front panel, and a rear panel.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an attachment means located on said rear panel for removably attaching said housing to a support structure adjacent to said curtain.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said motor assembly further comprises:

at least one reversible electrical motor in electrical communication with a power source, said at least one motor rigidly affixed to an interior of said housing;

a transmission operably driven by said motor; and

,

a pair of cord couplings, each having a first end driven by said transmission and a second end affixed to one of said pair of telescoping arm assemblies.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said transmission further comprises:

a spool connected to an output of said motor to provide reversible winding of said pair of cord couplings; and

,

a guide, comprising a plurality of rigid sections which redirect the motion of each of said pair of cord couplings relative to said motor assembly.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said pair of telescoping arm assemblies each further comprises:

a first cylindrical telescoping section;

a second cylindrical telescoping section slidably engaged within said first telescoping section;

a third cylindrical telescoping section slidably engaged within said second telescoping section;

a gripping means attached to a terminal end of said third telescoping section;

a first spring mechanism located internally within said first telescoping section;

a second spring mechanism located internally within said second telescoping section;

wherein said gripping means is removably connected to said curtain;

wherein one of said pair of cord couplings is attached to an interior terminal end of said third telescoping section;

wherein said first and second integral spring mechanisms biases each section towards an outwardly extended state.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said gripping means further comprises a spring clip.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said sensor assembly further comprises:

a photovoltaic cell located along an outer surface of said rear panel in electrical communication with said control means;

wherein said cell gathers solar energy and stores said solar energy to said power source; and

,

wherein said cell detects a light intensity and generates and transmits a light intensity signal to said control means.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said control means further comprises:

a control knob located on said top panel, said control knob selectable between said automatic operation, said manual operation, and said remote operation, said control knob in electrical communication with said sensor assembly;

a manual actuator located on said top panel and in electrical communication with said control knob;

a receiver located on a front panel in wireless communication with said remote control;

a circuit board located within said housing in electrical communication with said control knob and said motor assembly;

wherein said automatic operation operates said motor assembly when said light intensity signal directs an opening or a closing of said curtain;

wherein said light intensity signal is compared to a pre-set light level by said circuit board, such that said motor assembly opens said curtain when said light intensity signal is greater than said pre-set level and said motor assembly closes said curtain when said light intensity signal is lesser than said pre-set level;

wherein said manual operation operates said motor assembly when said manual actuator is contacted;

wherein said manual operation provides for forward and reverse actuation; and

,

wherein said remote operation operates said motor assembly when said receiver receives a control signal from said remote control.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said remote control comprises a hand-held device comprising:

a transmitter;

a first button in electrical communication with said transmitter that transmits an extending signal;

a second button in electrical communication with said transmitter that transmits a retracting signal; and

,

a remote control power source in electrical communication with said transmitter.