High capacity solar charging umbrella with wireless charging

• US 9,781,985 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2016
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ZON
• Original Assignee: ZON
• Inventors: Akin, Sarah, Johnson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Hawk, Noah Chandler
• Application Number:
  US15/077,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20160198818A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 135 16, 135 28, 135 336, 320101, 136243
• 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 wirelessly, such as by a wireless or inductive charging port. 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 higher power devices such as tablet computers.

Claims

1. 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

coupling a rechargeable battery to a battery charging circuit;

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

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;

coupling the solar panels to at least one wireless charging port of the umbrella, whereby when a battery-operated device is within or near the wireless charging port, the battery-operated device will be charged wirelessly,

wherein the umbrella comprises a shelf, wherein the wireless charging port of the umbrella is coupled to the shelf, a marking on the shelf indicates a positioning of the wireless charging port, the wireless charging port is coupled to the rechargeable battery of the umbrella by a wire, the wireless charging port is integrated into the shelf, and the wire is hidden from view.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless charging port is an inductive charging pad.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising:

coupling the solar panels to at least one universal serial bus (USB) port, wherein the wireless charging port is coupled to the universal serial bus port.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising:

coupling the solar panels to at least one universal serial bus (USB) port of the umbrella, wherein the universal serial bus port and wireless charging port can be used independently of each other.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the marking on the shelf comprises a box shape.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the marking on the shelf comprises a rectangular shape.

7. The method of claim 1 comprising:

at the wireless charging port, generating an alternating magnetic field that can be collected and used by the battery-operated device to charge the device'"'"'s rechargeable battery.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless charging port of the umbrella is coupled to the shelf, and a raised portion on the shelf indicates a positioning of the wireless charging port.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless charging port of the umbrella is coupled to the shelf, and a lowered portion on the shelf indicates a positioning of the wireless charging port.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless charging port of the umbrella is coupled to the shelf, and a visible loop on the shelf indicates a positioning of the wireless charging port.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless charging port of the umbrella is coupled to the shelf, and a raised ridge on the shelf indicates a positioning of the wireless charging port.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless charging port of the umbrella is coupled to the shelf, and a textured surface on the shelf indicates a positioning of the wireless charging port.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless charging port operates according to a Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) wireless charging specification.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless charging port operates according to a Power Matters Alliance (PMA) specification.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless charging port operates according to an Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) specification.

16. 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

coupling a rechargeable battery to a battery charging circuit;

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

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;

coupling the solar panels to at least one wireless charging port of the umbrella, whereby when a battery-operated device is within or near the wireless charging port, the battery-operated device will be charged wirelessly,

wherein the umbrella comprises a shelf, wherein the wireless charging port of the umbrella is coupled to the shelf, a raised portion on the shelf indicates a positioning of the wireless charging port, the wireless charging port is coupled to the rechargeable battery of the umbrella by a wire, the wireless charging port is integrated into the shelf, and the wire is hidden from view.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the wireless charging port is an inductive charging pad.

18. 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

coupling a rechargeable battery to a battery charging circuit;

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

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;

coupling the solar panels to at least one wireless charging port of the umbrella, whereby when a battery-operated device is within or near the wireless charging port, the battery-operated device will be charged wirelessly,

wherein the umbrella comprises a shelf, wherein the wireless charging port of the umbrella is coupled to the shelf, a textured surface on the shelf indicates a positioning of the wireless charging port, the wireless charging port is coupled to the rechargeable battery of the umbrella by a wire, the wireless charging port is integrated into the shelf, and the wire is hidden from view.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the wireless charging port is an inductive charging pad.

20. The method of claim 18 comprising:

coupling the solar panels to at least one universal serial bus (USB) port, wherein the wireless charging port is coupled to the universal serial bus port.