Patent Application
20230172327
The present invention relates generally to the field of patio umbrellas. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved solar powered patio umbrella device that provides users with an umbrella capable of automatically expanding and retracting when exposed to sunlight. Specifically, the device comprises a rotating solar panel that powers an automated opening and closing system. The system is powered by a battery that receives power from the solar panel. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, beach, patio and table umbrellas are used to provide protection from high temperatures and/or vigorous sunlight. Thus, these umbrellas are enjoyable for users to relax underneath, especially during sunny days. However, constantly adjusting the umbrella to block the sun can be annoying and frustrating. Further, manually cranking the umbrella to expand it or retract it can be time consuming and it may be difficult for those with limited physical strength and dexterity.
Additionally, besides having to adjust the umbrella to block the sun, users may have to adjust the umbrella base. However, patio umbrella bases are typically either too heavy to move, or to easily moved that it will blow over in the wind. Thus, users who buy these bases end up positioning themselves and their chairs in undesirable positions, just to be in the shaded area of the umbrella instead of undertaking the moving or rolling of the heavy umbrella and base.
Therefore, a novel solar powered patio umbrella device is needed that can automatically expand and/or retract when exposed to sunlight. The solar powered umbrella device may either fit on a patio table with a stand, dug into the sand at the beach, or placed outside any given area that requires its need. During dusk, nighttime hours or during periods where there is insufficient sunlight, the umbrella can still be powered up by means of rechargeable batteries powered from the solar panels. Further, a useful device is needed that reduces the amount of manual force needed to adjust the umbrella's position.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a solar powered patio umbrella device that provides users with a patio umbrella capable of automatically expanding and retracting when exposed to sunlight. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a solar powered patio umbrella device that eliminates the need to manually crank an umbrella open to use it. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a solar powered patio umbrella device that simplifies the means for adjusting an umbrella to block the sun. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that offers ease and convenience for all users enjoying time underneath a patio umbrella. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a solar powered patio umbrella device that is equipped with a rotating solar panel that powers an automated opening and closing system. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a solar powered patio umbrella device that automatically raises or lowers based on exposure to sunlight or other ambient light.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a solar powered patio umbrella device. The device is designed to offer ease and convenience for all users enjoying time underneath a patio umbrella. Specifically, the solar powered patio umbrella device provides users with an improved patio umbrella capable of automatically expanding and retracting when exposed to sunlight. The device comprises at least one rotating solar panel that powers an automated opening and closing system; and at least one battery that receives power from the at least one rotating solar panel. Thus, the umbrella opens when the battery is at full charge and lowers when the battery is at a lower percentage. Further, the umbrella may raise or lower based on a ambient light setting as well.
In this manner, the solar powered patio umbrella device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a device that offers ease and convenience for all users enjoying time underneath a patio umbrella. The device provides users with an improved patio umbrella capable of automatically expanding and retracting when exposed to sunlight. The device simplifies use of the umbrella and eliminates the need to manually crank the umbrella open to use it.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a solar powered patio umbrella device. The device provides users with an improved patio umbrella capable of automatically expanding and retracting when exposed to sunlight. Specifically, the solar powered patio umbrella device simplifies use of the umbrella and eliminates the need to manually crank the umbrella open to use it. The device comprises an umbrella; at least one rotating solar panel that powers an automated opening and closing system for the umbrella; and at least one battery that receives power from the at least one rotating solar panel. Thus, the umbrella opens when the battery is at full charge and lowers when the battery is at a lower percentage.
The umbrella may be applied to an outdoor table, can be stand alone, and/or used as a beach umbrella. The umbrella has a supporting member, shaft, or pole, a canopy supported by a plurality of ribs, and at least one rotating solar panel attached to the canopy. The rechargeable batteries serve as a method of powering the umbrella after being charged by the at least one rotating solar panel or after the sun has set. Typically, the rechargeable batteries can be a Lithium Ion rechargeable battery pack. The canopy may be made up of one, several or many different pieces of material, such as synthetic, cotton, vinyl or a blend of different materials, etc. If possible, the material may be water-resistant and/or fire retardant.
The plurality of ribs and the umbrella's supporting member, the shaft, or pole, may be made of, but not limited to, a metal alloy, or a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, fiberglass, carbon fiber or plastic, etc. Further, the base of the umbrella may be built of a material of satisfactory weight, or built to be filled with a material of sufficient weight, for example, water or stones. The size and shape of the canopy is not predominantly restricted and depends partly on the particular application preferred. The supporting member, the shaft, or pole is sized suitably so that the canopy, in its opened form, is of the preferred height. Further, the canopy is opened via typical opening means, such as, but not limited to, a “slot and key” arrangement, a roll up, or a push up design, which may be applied in the supporting member to open and close the canopy.
The present invention comprises at least one rotating solar panel attached to the canopy of the umbrella which is capable of receiving energy from the sun. The solar panels are placed so that when the canopy is in an open position, the solar panel can rotate and tilt toward the sun. Hence, this facilitates the solar panel to encapsulate sufficient and, if possible, an optimal amount of solar energy for the umbrella. The solar panels should be kept free of any items that may reduce the available sunlight rays from reaching the solar panels.
In one embodiment, the solar powered patio umbrella device comprises a motor connected to the umbrella, and a controller connected to the motor for controlling the motor. A rechargeable battery is then connected to the controller, and a solar panel is connected to and provides a power source to the battery. The controller uses the sun's power produced during periods of daylight hours, collected from the solar panels, distributed to the rechargeable batteries to power the motor which controls the retraction and/or expansion of the umbrella. Typically, the umbrella has hollow ribs and/or a hollow supporting member that serve as a conduit for passing electrical wiring through when connecting the solar panels and batteries. Further, the one or more rechargeable batteries, the motor, and/or the controller are preferably mounted on or within the supporting member of the umbrella in order to reduce the invasiveness and obviousness of these devices.
In another embodiment, the automated umbrella device comprises a mobile application; an umbrella; a motor connected to the umbrella; a controller connected to the motor, wherein the controller is configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile application; a rechargeable battery connected to the controller; and a solar panel connected to and providing a power source to the battery. For purposes of this document, a connection may be a direct connection or an indirect connection (i.e., via intervening elements). Two devices are “in communication” if they are directly or indirectly connected so that they can communicate electronic signals between them.
Specifically, positioned on the supporting member of the umbrella is a wireless control unit and rechargeable batteries to power the electronics and umbrella motor. The rechargeable batteries are connected to and charged via solar panels located on top of the umbrella. The wireless control unit is connected to and controls the umbrella motor to retract and expand the umbrella. The wireless control unit is also wirelessly connected to a smartphone application on a smartphone using Bluetooth.
In another embodiment, the umbrella device incorporates an LCD monitor typically positioned on the supporting member. The LCD monitor is in communication with the battery and controller and alerts a user as to the battery life of the batteries. The LCD monitor also comprises an override power switch, which allows a user to manually open or close the umbrella.
In another embodiment, the umbrella could also include a stand at the bottom of the supporting member, so as to maintain the umbrella in an erect position.
In another embodiment, the umbrella can be automatically raised or lowered based on a predetermined ambient light setting so that the umbrella is automatically opened or closes at dawn or dusk. The amount of ambient light can be detected, displayed, and set via a light sensor and the LCD monitor.
In yet another embodiment, a method of automatically expanding and retracting a patio umbrella when exposed to sunlight is described. The method includes the steps of providing a rotating solar panel that powers an automated opening and closing system. The method also comprises utilizing a battery which receives power from the solar panel to power the automated opening and closing system. Further, the method comprises raising the umbrella when the battery is at full charge and lowering the umbrella when the battery is at a lower percentage. Finally, the method may also comprise raising or lowering the umbrella based on a predetermined amount of ambient light.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a solar powered patio umbrella device is disclosed for automatically expanding and retracting an umbrella when exposed to sunlight. The device comprises a mobile application; an umbrella; a motor connected to the umbrella; a controller connected to the motor, the controller configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile application; a rechargeable battery connected to the controller; and a solar panel connected to and providing a power source to the battery. Thus, users can sit underneath the expanded umbrella during the day without having to manually adjust the umbrella's position. Accordingly, the device offers ease and convenience for all users enjoying time underneath a patio umbrella.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a solar powered patio umbrella device that provides users with a patio umbrella capable of automatically expanding and retracting when exposed to sunlight. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a solar powered patio umbrella device that eliminates the need to manually crank an umbrella open to use it. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a solar powered patio umbrella device that simplifies the means for adjusting an umbrella to block the sun. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that offers ease and convenience for all users enjoying time underneath a patio umbrella. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a solar powered patio umbrella device that is equipped with a rotating solar panel that powers an automated opening and closing system. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a solar powered patio umbrella device that automatically raises or lowers based on exposure to sunlight.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel solar powered patio umbrella device designed to offer ease and convenience for all users enjoying time underneath a patio umbrella. The device comprises at least one rotating solar panel that powers an automated opening and closing system; and at least one battery that receives power from the at least one rotating solar panel. Thus, the umbrella opens when the battery is at full charge and lowers when the battery is at a lower percentage. The present invention also includes a novel method of automatically expanding and retracting a patio umbrella when exposed to sunlight or other ambient light. The method includes the steps of providing a rotating solar panel that powers an automated opening and closing system. The method also comprises utilizing a battery which receives power from the solar panel. Further, the method comprises raising the umbrella when the battery is at full charge and lowering the umbrella when the battery is at a lower percentage. Finally, the method comprises raising or lowering the umbrella based on an ambient sunlight setting.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The umbrella 102 may be applied to an outdoor table 108, can be stand alone, and/or used as a beach umbrella. The umbrella 102 has a supporting member 110, shaft, or pole, a canopy 112 supported by a plurality of ribs 114, and at least one rotating solar panel 104 attached to the canopy 112. The rechargeable batteries 106 serve as a method of powering the umbrella 102 after being charged by the at least one rotating solar panel 104 or after the sun has set. Typically, the rechargeable batteries 106 can be a Lithium Ion rechargeable battery pack. The canopy 112 may be made up of one, several or many different pieces of material, such as synthetic, cotton, vinyl or a blend of different materials, etc., or any other suitable material as is known in the art. If possible, the material may be water-resistant and/or fire retardant.
The plurality of ribs 114 and the umbrella's supporting member 110, the shaft, or pole, may be made of, but not limited to, a metal alloy, or a metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel, fiberglass, carbon fiber or plastic, etc., or any other suitable material as is known in the art. Further, the base of the umbrella 102 may be built of a material of satisfactory weight, or built to be filled with a material of sufficient weight, for example, water or stones. The size and shape of the canopy 112 is not predominantly restricted and depends partly on the particular application preferred. The supporting member 110, the shaft, or pole is sized suitably so that the canopy 112, in its opened form, is of the preferred height. Further, the canopy 112 is opened via typical opening means, such as, but not limited to, a “slot and key” arrangement, a roll up, or a push up design, which may be applied in the supporting member 110 to open and close the canopy 112.
Further, in
In another embodiment, the automated umbrella device 100 comprises a mobile application 304; an umbrella 102; a motor 300 connected to the umbrella 102; a controller 302 connected to the motor 300, wherein the controller 302 is configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile application 304; a rechargeable battery 106 connected to the controller 302; and a solar panel 104 connected to and providing a power source to the battery 106. For purposes of this document, a connection may be a direct connection or an indirect connection (i.e., via intervening elements). Two devices are “in communication” if they are directly or indirectly connected so that they can communicate electronic signals between them.
For example, the proposed structure is a solar powered patio umbrella 100 that will allow the user to expand or retract the patio umbrella 102 to a desired location using their smartphone 402, and then automatically re-position the umbrella 102 as the sun moves. The umbrella 102 is powered by rechargeable batteries 106 powered by at least one solar panel 104. The umbrella 102 expands or contracts via at least one motor 300, positioned on the supporting member 110 or the canopy 112 or ribs 114.
The present disclosure connects to the user's smartphone 402 via BLE (Bluetooth low energy) and allows the user to control the umbrella 102 via their smartphone 402. When the mobile application 304 is launched on the smartphone 402, the user has to select the device 100 that they want to connect to (in case they have multiple umbrellas 102) and pair to it. After the phone 402 pairs, the user can control the umbrella 102 via buttons on the application 304. When one of the buttons is pressed in the application 304, a command is sent to the controller 302 which causes the drive motor 300 to activate.
The application 304 can also access databases via the Internet to determine the exact location of the sun at any given time to determine the position of the umbrella 102. The application 304 will request access for the user's location (determined by the smart phone 402 via GPS or other technology), and that information will allow the application 304 to calculate the exact direction of the sun to the user at any given time. Since the application 304 can know where the sun is, that allows the application 304 to drive the umbrella 102 without the user doing anything in order to keep the user in the shade at all times.
Thus, the application 304 uses location to determine the angle of the sun and positions the umbrella 102 between the sun and the smartphone 402 and therefore, the user. If the user repositions themself, they can again always use the manual controls to position the umbrella 102 to give them optimal shade, and then the umbrella 102 will continue in automatic mode to keep them in the shade afterwards.
In another embodiment, the umbrella 102 could also include a stand 504 at the bottom of the supporting member 110, so as to maintain the umbrella 102 in an erect position.
In another embodiment, the umbrella 102 can be automatically raised or lowered based on the amount of ambient light present (e.g., to automatically close at night unless the override switch 502 is engaged). The amount of ambient light can be detected, displayed, and set via a light sensor 506 and the LCD monitor 500. Once set, the umbrella 102 would be automatically raised when a sufficient amount of ambient light is detected and lowered when the ambient light is no longer sufficient present.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “solar powered patio umbrella device”, “automated umbrella device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the solar powered patio umbrella device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the solar powered patio umbrella device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the solar powered patio umbrella device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/287,238, which was filed on Dec. 8, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63287238 | Dec 2021 | US |
