Claims
- 1. A collapsible pop-open solar heating system, comprising:
a heating enclosure having an open configuration and a collapsed configuration, said enclosure made of substantially opaque flexible fabric having reflective interior surfaces, and including a region of transparent flexible material for the passage of light, wherein when in said open configuration said enclosure is shaped so as to reflect and focus light entering said enclosure through said transparent flexible material into a focal region in the interior space defined by said enclosure; a collapsible flexible spring frame contained within at least one sleeve in said flexible fabric, wherein said sleeve confines said spring frame and when unrestrained causes said spring frame to urge said enclosure into an open configuration; and access means for opening said enclosure for placement and removal of heating and cooking vessels in said enclosure.
- 2. The solar heating system of claim 1, wherein said access means comprises a fabric flap formed in said enclosure selectively secured by fastening means.
- 3. The solar heating system of claim 2, wherein said fastening means comprises portions of complementary hook and loop material.
- 4. The solar heating system of claim 2, wherein said fastening means is a zipper.
- 5. The solar heating system of claim 1, wherein said heating enclosure is substantially tetrahedral in shape and comprises:
first and second side panels, a back panel, a top panel, and a floor panel, said panels affixed to immediately adjoining panels and fabricated of flexible opaque material, said panels each including sleeves along their respective edges, and a transparent panel attached at its edges to said first and second side panels, said top panel, and said floor panel.
- 6. The solar heating system of claim 5, wherein said spring frame comprises a plurality of flexible and coilable springs having memory, said springs slidably inserted into said panel sleeves, wherein said sleeves confine said springs such that when said springs are unrestrained, said panels are urged into a separated relationship to deploy said heating enclosure into an open configuration.
- 7. The solar heating system of claim 5, wherein said enclosure includes access means when in an open configuration.
- 8. The solar heating system of claim 5, further including a plurality of tabs and grommets to serve as tie points for guying lines.
- 9. The solar heating system of claim 1, wherein said heating enclosure comprises a combination of two arcuate panels and a transparent front panel, and wherein said spring frame comprises a single spring inserted into a continuous sleeve to form said spring frame.
- 10. A collapsible solar heating apparatus having a collapsed configuration and an open configuration, said apparatus comprising:
a first solar energy collecting compartment, said first compartment having a plurality of sides with reflective interior surfaces and forming a polyhedron having a first opening and a second opening smaller than the first opening; a second solar energy collecting compartment extending downwardly from said second opening of said first solar energy collecting compartment and comprising a plurality of panels forming a polyhedron having an opening contiguous with the second opening of said first solar energy collecting compartment and a base for placement on a substantially flat surface; and a transparent panel covering the first opening of said first solar energy collecting compartment.
- 11. The solar heating apparatus of claim 10, wherein said first and said second compartments are separated by a transparent panel.
- 12. The solar heating apparatus of claim 10, wherein each of said sides of said first solar energy collecting compartment is made of flexible fabric and includes an integral sleeve around the edges of said side, said sleeve containing a frame spring.
- 13. The solar heating apparatus of claim 10, wherein said sides of said second solar energy collecting compartment are non-reflective.
- 14. The solar heating apparatus of claim 10, wherein each of said sides of said first solar energy collecting compartment are made of flexible fabric and each of said sides is joined to adjoining sides at a dedicated contiguous sleeve into which a dedicated spring is inserted and contained.
- 15. The solar heating apparatus of claim 10, wherein said sides are fastened to adjoining sides in the open configuration by strips of hook and loop material.
- 16. The solar heating apparatus of claim 10, wherein said second solar energy collecting compartment includes an access door comprised of selectively sealable overlapping flaps.
- 17. The solar heating apparatus of claim 10, wherein said solar energy collecting compartments each have six sides.
- 18. The solar heating apparatus of claim 17, wherein said second solar energy collecting compartment has a base with a flat portion and an angled portion for tipping said apparatus at an angle.
- 19. The solar heating apparatus of claim 10, wherein each of said solar energy collecting compartments has four sides.
- 20. The solar heating apparatus of claim 19, wherein said second solar collecting compartment has a front side and a rear side, said front side extending vertically to a height less than that of said rear side, such that said first solar energy collecting compartment always angled relative to the surface on which said apparatus is placed.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/292,231, filed May 17, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60292231 |
May 2001 |
US |