High capacity solar charging umbrella

• US 9,125,462 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2015
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Legacy Consulting, LLC
• Original Assignee: ZON
• Inventors: Akin, Sarah, Johnson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Hawk, Noah Chandler
• Application Number:
  US14/688,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20150216274A1
• Time in Patent Office: 145 Days
• Field of Search: 135/16, 135/28, 135/33.6, 320/101, 136/243
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2023/0012 Ground supported umbrellas or sunshades on a single post, e.g. resting in or on a surface there below
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2023/0037 the support arm being attached to the stick or to the crown, the canopy being suspended there below
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2025/003 Accessories not covered by groups A45B25/24 - A45B25/30
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1018 with illuminating devices, e.g. electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1027 with means for generating solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1054 with containers for storing objects, e.g. box
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1063 with tables
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/109 Sockets therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 23/00 Other umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/02 Umbrella frames
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 3/00 Sticks combined with other objects
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 15/26 heat exchangers or the like making heat exchangers by methods covered by other subclasses B21D53/02
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/042 PV modules or arrays of single PV cells supporting structures for PV modules H02S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00045 Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/20 : Collapsible or foldable PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 : Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 : including measuring or testing of device or component part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 : Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 : Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49355 : Solar energy device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 : Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

A solar charging umbrella uses solar power to charge electronic devices. The umbrella is self-sustained, capable of charging electronic devices in locations away from electrical outlets. The umbrella has a rechargeable battery that is recharged by sunlight. When charged, the umbrella'"'"'s battery can charge devices when sunlight is not available. The umbrella supports simultaneous charging of high power devices such as tablet computers.

Claims

1. An umbrella comprising:

a shaft;

an umbrella shade, coupled between a cap retainer and the shaft;

a frame comprising;

a cap, coupled between the cap retainer and the umbrella shade, comprising a cap opening and at least a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion, wherein the cap retainer couples to a bolt of the shaft that passes through the cap opening;

a first strut, comprising first and second ends, a third hinge portion at the first end, and between the first and second ends is a first sleeve that holds a first solar panel, wherein the third hinge portion is adapted to mate with the first hinge portion of the cap to form a first strut hinge; and

a second strut, comprising third and fourth ends, a fourth hinge portion at third end, and between the third and fourth ends is a second sleeve that holds a second solar panel, wherein the fourth hinge portion is adapted to mate with the second hinge portion of the cap to form a second strut hinge,

the umbrella comprises an open position during which the umbrella shade is extended into a position away from the shaft and a closed position during which the umbrella shade is folded into a position closer to the shaft,

when changing the umbrella from the closed to the open position, the umbrella shade pushes against a bottom of the struts while the umbrella shade is extended, causing the struts to rotate via the first and second strut hinges in a first turn direction, so that an angle between a top of the first strut and a top of the cap increases from a first angle in the closed position to a second angle in the open position, and the second angle is greater than the first angle, and

when changing the umbrella from the open to the closed position, the bottom of the struts rest against the umbrella shade while the umbrella is folded, causing the struts to rotate via the first and second strut hinges in a second turn direction, so that the angle between the top of the first strut and the top of the cap decreases from the second angle to the first angle, and the second turn direction is opposite of the first turn direction;

a rechargeable battery;

a battery charging circuit, coupled to the rechargeable battery;

a plurality of electrical wires, coupling the first and second solar panels in parallel to the electrical charger circuit, wherein the battery charging circuit can charge the rechargeable battery using solar power received from the first and second solar panels; and

a first printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a PCB hole though which the shaft of the umbrella passes through, wherein the battery charging circuit and the voltage converter circuit are formed on the printed circuit board.

2. The umbrella of claim 1 comprising:

a battery housing comprising a battery housing hole though which the shaft of the umbrella passes through, wherein the battery housing houses the rechargeable battery and battery charging circuit; and

an electrical socket, coupled to the battery housing and the battery charging circuit, wherein the electrical socket is removably coupled to a connector coupled to the electrical wires coupled to the first and second solar panels.

3. The umbrella of claim 1 wherein when the umbrella is in the closed position, at least a portion of a weight of the first and second struts is supported by the cap.

4. The umbrella of claim 1 comprising:

a battery housing comprising a battery housing hole though which the shaft of the umbrella passes through, wherein the battery housing houses the rechargeable battery, battery charging circuit, voltage converter circuit, and first printed circuit board.

5. The umbrella of claim 1 comprising:

a DC charging input, coupled to the battery charging circuit.

6. The umbrella of claim 1 comprising:

a battery level indictor circuit, coupled to the rechargeable battery;

a plurality of light emitting diodes, coupled to the battery level indictor circuit, wherein the battery level indictor circuit causes a number of the light emitting diodes to illuminate corresponding to a charge level of the rechargeable battery.

7. The umbrella of claim 1 wherein each sleeve comprises a transparent top surface that allows solar radiation to pass through to the solar panel housed by the sleeve.

8. The umbrella of claim 1 comprising:

a voltage converter circuit, coupled to the rechargeable battery;

a first universal serial bus (USB) charging port, coupled to the voltage converter circuit;

a second USB charging port, coupled to the voltage converter circuit; and

a third USB charging port, coupled to the voltage converter circuit,

wherein the first, second, and third USB charging ports are capable of supplying at least 10 watts of output power each simultaneously.

9. An umbrella comprising:

a shaft;

an umbrella shade, coupled between a cap retainer and the shaft;

a frame comprising;

a cap, coupled between the cap retainer and the umbrella shade, comprising a cap opening and at least a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion, wherein the cap retainer couples to a bolt of the shaft that passes through the cap opening;

a first strut, comprising first and second ends, a third hinge portion at the first end, and between the first and second ends is a first sleeve that holds a first solar panel, wherein the third hinge portion is adapted to mate with the first hinge portion of the cap to form a first strut hinge; and

a second strut, comprising third and fourth ends, a fourth hinge portion at third end, and between the third and fourth ends is a second sleeve that holds a second solar panel, wherein the fourth hinge portion is adapted to mate with the second hinge portion of the cap to form a second strut hinge,

the umbrella comprises an open position during which the umbrella shade is extended into a position away from the shaft and a closed position during which the umbrella shade is folded into a position closer to the shaft,

when changing the umbrella from the closed to the open position, the umbrella shade pushes against a bottom of the struts while the umbrella shade is extended, causing the struts to rotate via the first and second strut hinges in a first turn direction, so that an angle between a top of the first strut and a top of the cap increases from a first angle in the closed position to a second angle in the open position, and the second angle is greater than the first angle, and

when changing the umbrella from the open to the closed position, the bottom of the struts rest against the umbrella shade while the umbrella is folded, causing the struts to rotate via the first and second strut hinges in a second turn direction, so that the angle between the top of the first strut and the top of the cap decreases from the second angle to the first angle, and the second turn direction is opposite of the first turn direction;

a rechargeable battery;

a battery charging circuit, coupled to the rechargeable battery;

a plurality of electrical wires, coupling the first and second solar panels in parallel to the electrical charger circuit, wherein the battery charging circuit can charge the rechargeable battery using solar power received from the first and second solar panels;

a voltage converter circuit, coupled to the rechargeable battery;

a first universal serial bus (USB) charging port, coupled to the voltage converter circuit;

a second USB charging port, coupled to the voltage converter circuit;

a third USB charging port, coupled to the voltage converter circuit,

wherein the first, second, and third USB charging ports are capable of supplying at least 10 watts of output power each simultaneously;

a battery housing comprising a battery housing hole though which the shaft of the umbrella passes through, wherein the battery housing houses the rechargeable battery, battery charging circuit, voltage converter circuit, and first, second, and third USB charging ports;

a first spring-loaded retractable cover, coupled to the battery housing, covering the first USB charging port;

a second spring-loaded retractable cover, coupled to the battery housing, covering the second USB charging port; and

a third spring-loaded retractable cover, coupled to the battery housing, covering the third USB charging port.

10. The umbrella of claim 9 wherein each sleeve comprises a transparent top surface that allows solar radiation to pass through to the solar panel housed by the sleeve.

11. The umbrella of claim 9 wherein the battery housing comprises an electrical socket, coupled to the battery housing and the battery charging circuit, wherein the electrical socket is removably coupled to a connector coupled to the electrical wires coupled to the first and second solar panels.

12. The umbrella of claim 9 wherein when the umbrella is in the closed position, at least a portion of a weight of the first and second struts is supported by the cap.

13. The umbrella of claim 9 comprising:

a DC charging input, coupled to the battery charging circuit.

14. The umbrella of claim 9 comprising:

a battery level indictor circuit, coupled to the rechargeable battery;

a plurality of light emitting diodes, coupled to the battery level indictor circuit, wherein the battery level indictor circuit causes a number of the light emitting diodes to illuminate corresponding to a charge level of the rechargeable battery.

15. A method comprising:

providing an umbrella comprising a shaft and umbrella shade, wherein the umbrella comprises an open position during which the umbrella shade is extended into a position away from the shaft and a closed position during which the umbrella shade is folded into a position closer to the shaft;

coupling a cap above the umbrella shade to the shaft;

coupling a first strut comprising a first solar panel to the cap via first hinge at the cap;

coupling a second strut comprising a second solar panel to the cap via second hinge at the cap, wherein each strut comprises a sleeve having transparent top surface that allows solar radiation to pass through to a respective solar panel housed by the sleeve;

changing the umbrella from the closed to the open position, wherein the umbrella shade pushes against a bottom of the struts while the umbrella shade is extended, causing the struts to rotate via the first and second strut hinges in a first turn direction, so that an angle between a top of the first strut and a top of the cap increases from a first angle in the closed position to a second angle in the open position, and the second angle is greater than the first angle; and

changing the umbrella from the open to the closed position, wherein the bottom of the struts rest against the umbrella shade while the umbrella is folded, causing the struts to rotate via the first and second strut hinges in a second turn direction, so that the angle between the top of the first strut and the top of the cap decreases from the second angle to the first angle, and the second turn direction is opposite of the first turn direction.

16. The method of claim 15 comprising:

coupling a rechargeable battery to a battery charging circuit; and

charging the rechargeable battery using the battery charging circuit with solar power received from the first and second solar panels.

17. The method of claim 16 comprising:

enclosing the rechargeable battery and battery charging circuit in a battery housing comprising a hole extending through the housing; and

coupling the battery housing to the umbrella by passing the shaft through the hole of the housing.

18. The method of claim 16 comprising:

coupling a battery level indictor circuit to the rechargeable battery;

detecting a charge level of the rechargeable battery using the battery level indicator circuit; and

illuminating one or more light emitting diodes to correspond to the charge level of the rechargeable battery.

19. The method of claim 15 comprising:

coupling the solar panels to a plurality of universal serial bus (USB) ports;

housing the USB ports in an enclosure having a USB opening for each USB port; and

for each USB opening, forming a spring-loaded retractable cover to cover the opening.

20. The method of claim 15 comprising:

when the umbrella is in the closed position, supporting at least a portion of a weight of the first strut by the cap; and

when the umbrella is in the closed position, supporting at least a portion of a weight of the second strut by the cap.

21. The method of claim 15 comprising:

providing in a kit for converting the umbrella into a solar umbrella charging station the cap, first strut comprising the first solar panel, and second strut comprising the second solar panel, wherein the kit does not include the umbrella shade and shaft.

22. The method of claim 15 wherein the cap, first strut comprising the first solar panel, and second strut comprising the second solar panel are contained in a kit for converting the umbrella into a solar umbrella charging station, and the umbrella shade and shaft are not included in the kit.

23. The method of claim 15 comprising:

coupling a battery housing unit to the umbrella by passing the shaft through a hole extending through the unit, wherein the battery housing unit comprises a rechargeable battery and a battery charging circuit; and

coupling the battery charging circuit of the battery housing unit to the solar panels.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the battery housing unit comprises:

a voltage converter circuit, coupled to the rechargeable battery;

a first universal serial bus (USB) charging port, coupled to the voltage converter circuit;

a second USB charging port, coupled to the voltage converter circuit; and

a third USB charging port, coupled to the voltage converter circuit.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the first, second, and third USB charging ports are capable of supplying at least 10 watts of output power each simultaneously.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the battery housing unit comprises:

a first spring-loaded retractable cover, coupled to the battery housing unit, that covers the first USB charging port;

a second spring-loaded retractable cover, coupled to the battery housing unit, that covers the second USB charging port; and

a third spring-loaded retractable cover, coupled to the battery housing unit, that covers the third USB charging port.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the battery housing unit comprises a DC charging input, coupled to the battery charging circuit.

28. The method of claim 23 wherein the cap, first strut comprising the first solar panel, second strut comprising the second solar panel, and battery housing unit are contained in a kit for converting the umbrella into a solar umbrella charging station, and the umbrella shade and shaft are not included in the kit.

29. An umbrella comprising:

a shaft;

an umbrella shade, coupled between a cap retainer and the shaft;

a frame comprising;

a cap, coupled between the cap retainer and the umbrella shade, comprising a cap opening and at least a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion, wherein the cap retainer couples to a bolt of the shaft that passes through the cap opening;

a first strut, comprising first and second ends, a third hinge portion at the first end, and between the first and second ends is a first sleeve that holds a first solar panel, wherein the third hinge portion is adapted to mate with the first hinge portion of the cap to form a first strut hinge; and

a second strut, comprising third and fourth ends, a fourth hinge portion at third end, and between the third and fourth ends is a second sleeve that holds a second solar panel, wherein the fourth hinge portion is adapted to mate with the second hinge portion of the cap to form a second strut hinge,

the umbrella comprises an open position during which the umbrella shade is extended into a position away from the shaft and a closed position during which the umbrella shade is folded into a position closer to the shaft,

when changing the umbrella from the closed to the open position, the umbrella shade pushes against a bottom of the struts while the umbrella shade is extended, causing the struts to rotate via the first and second strut hinges in a first turn direction, so that an angle between a top of the first strut and a top of the cap increases from a first angle in the closed position to a second angle in the open position, and the second angle is greater than the first angle,

when changing the umbrella from the open to the closed position, the bottom of the struts rest against the umbrella shade while the umbrella is folded, causing the struts to rotate via the first and second strut hinges in a second turn direction, so that the angle between the top of the first strut and the top of the cap decreases from the second angle to the first angle, and the second turn direction is opposite of the first turn direction,

each sleeve comprises a transparent top surface that allows solar radiation to pass through to the solar panel housed by the sleeve;

electrical circuitry comprising;

a rechargeable battery;

a battery charging circuit, coupled to the rechargeable battery;

electrical wires, coupling the first and second solar panels in parallel to the electrical charger circuit, wherein the battery charging circuit can charge the rechargeable battery using solar power received from the first and second solar panels;

a voltage converter circuit, coupled to the rechargeable battery;

a first universal serial bus (USB) charging port, coupled to the voltage converter circuit;

a second USB charging port, coupled to the voltage converter circuit;

a third USB charging port, coupled to the voltage converter circuit, wherein each of the first, second, and third USB charging ports are capable of supplying output power simultaneously;

a battery level indictor circuit, coupled to the rechargeable battery;

a plurality of light emitting diodes, coupled to the battery level indictor circuit, wherein the battery level indictor circuit causes a number of the light emitting diodes to illuminate corresponding to a charge level of the rechargeable battery;

a battery housing, comprising a battery housing hole extending through the housing, wherein the battery housing is coupled to the umbrella by way of the shaft of the umbrella passing through the battery housing, and the battery housing houses the rechargeable battery, battery charging circuit, voltage converter circuit, and first, second, and third USB charging ports;

a first spring-loaded retractable cover, coupled to the battery housing, that covers the first USB charging port;

a second spring-loaded retractable cover, coupled to the battery housing, that covers the second USB charging port; and

a third spring-loaded retractable cover, coupled to the battery housing, that covers the third USB charging port.

30. The umbrella of claim 29 wherein the electrical circuitry can supply through each of the first, second, and third USB charging ports at least 10 watts of output power simultaneously.