Skylight cover with advantageous topography

Abstract

A skylight cover is provided that includes a light transmitting body including first and second integral lenses. The first and second integral lenses define polygonal perimeters, each polygonal perimeter having a first element and a second element residing therein, the first and second elements disposed adjacent to each other in each instance. The skylight cover may include a plurality of ridges and creases, the individual, respective ridges and creases disposed in advantageous configurations. The cover may likewise include a plurality of surfaces, some optionally parallel and some optionally co-planar.

Claims

1. A skylight cover, comprising: a light transmitting body defining a longitude and having an upward side and a downward side, the downward side defining a concavity, the upward side comprising: a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being parallel to the second surface a third surface and a fourth surface, the third surface being parallel to the fourth surface; a fifth surface and a sixth surface, the fifth surface being parallel to the sixth surface; a seventh surface and an eighth surface, the seventh surface being parallel to the eighth surface; and a first corrugation; wherein none of the first, third, fifth, and seventh surfaces are parallel; wherein the third surface is directly adjacent to the first surface and the fifth surface is directly adjacent to the first and third surfaces, and wherein the first corrugation resides traverse to the longitude of the body and the first corrugation bisects the seventh surface.

2. The skylight cover of claim 1, in which the first and second surfaces are at least partially planar and the at least partial planes reside in the same plane.

3. The skylight cover of claim 2, in which the seventh and eighth surfaces are at least partially planar and the at least partial planes reside in the same plane.

4. The skylight cover of claim 2, in which the third surface is at least partially planar and the at least partial plane of the third surface resides at an obtuse angle to the at least partial plane of the first surface.

5. The skylight cover of claim 4, in which the fifth surface is at least partially planar and the at least partial plane of the fifth surface resides at obtuse angles to the at least partial plane of the first surface and the at least partial plane of the third surface.

6. The skylight cover of claim 1, in which the seventh and eighth surfaces are at least partially planar and the at least partial planes reside in the same plane.

7. The skylight cover of claim 1, in which the third surface is contiguous with the first surface.

8. The skylight cover of claim 7, in which the fifth surface is contiguous with the first and third surfaces.

9. The skylight cover of claim 1, further including a corrugation.

10. The skylight cover of claim 9, in which the cover defines a longitude and the corrugation resides transverse to the longitude.

11. The skylight cover of claim 1, wherein the upward side further comprises a second corrugation residing traverse to the longitude of the body and wherein the second corrugation bisects the eighth surface.

12. The skylight cover of claim 1, wherein the corrugation is concave projecting downwards towards the downward side.

13. A skylight cover, comprising: a light transmitting body having a longitude, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, the interior surface being concave, the exterior surface comprising: a first panel comprising: a first ridge, the first ridge having a first ridge end and a second ridge end; a first crease, the first crease having a first crease end and a second crease end, the first crease end disposed proximate to the first ridge end and the second crease end disposed apart from the second ridge end; a first face bounded by the first ridge and the first crease; a second ridge, the second ridge having a third ridge end and a fourth ridge end; a second crease, the second crease having a third crease end and a fourth crease end, the third crease end disposed proximate to the third ridge end and the fourth crease end disposed apart from the fourth ridge end; and a second face bounded by the second ridge and the second crease, wherein the first crease and the second crease are parallel and at least one of the first face and second face is triangular; a corrugation residing traverse to the longitude of the body, wherein the corrugation bisects the first panel between the first face and the second face; a second panel; and an apex and the second panel is disposed between the first panel and the apex of the exterior surface.

14. The skylight cover of claim 13, in which the first ridge and the second ridge are parallel.

15. The skylight cover of claim 13, in which the first face and the second face are parallel.

16. The skylight cover of claim 13, in which at least one of the first and second ridges is linear.

17. The skylight cover of claim 13, in which at least one of the first and second, creases is linear.

18. The skylight cover of claim 13, further including an integral corrugation.

19. The skylight cover of claim 13, in which at least one of the first and second faces is at least partially planar.

20. The skylight cover of claim 13, wherein the second panel includes; a third ridge, the third ridge having a fifth ridge end and a sixth ridge end; a third crease, the third crease having a fifth crease end and a sixth crease end, the fifth crease end disposed proximate to the fifth ridge end and the sixth crease end disposed apart from the sixth ridge end; a third face bounded by the third ridge and the third crease; a fourth ridge, the fourth ridge having a seventh ridge end and an eighth ridge end; a fourth crease, the fourth crease having a seventh crease end and an eighth crease end, the seventh crease end disposed proximate to the seventh ridge end and the eighth crease end disposed apart from the eighth ridge end; and a fourth face bounded by the fourth ridge and the fourth crease.

21. A skylight cover, comprising: a light transmitting body, the light transmitting body including a longitude, a first corrugation, an apex, an integral first lens, and an integral second lens; the first lens defining a first polygonal perimeter, and having a first element and a second element residing within the first polygonal perimeter, the second element disposed adjacent to the first element, the first lens further comprising a first surface and a first ridge residing within the first polygonal perimeter, the first ridge disposed between the first surface and both the first and second elements, the first and second elements disposed between the apex of the light transmitting body and the first surface; the second lens defining a second polygonal perimeter, and having a third element and a fourth element residing within the second polygonal perimeter, the fourth element disposed adjacent to the third element; the first lens being integral with the second lens; the first corrugation residing traverse to the longitude and intersecting the first lens; and the light transmitting body defining an inverted U-shape in cross section.

22. The skylight cover of claim 21, in which the first and second elements reside in different planes.

23. The skylight cover of claim 21, in which the first and third elements are parallel.

24. The skylight cover of claim 21, in which the first and third elements are parallel and the second and fourth elements are parallel.

25. The skylight cover of claim 21, in which the second lens is identical to the first lens.

26. The skylight cover of claim 25, in which the first, second, third, and fourth elements are at least partially planar, the at least partial planes of the first and third elements are parallel, and the at least partial planes of the second and fourth elements are parallel.

27. The skylight cover of claim 26, in which the first polygonal perimeter is hexagonal.

28. The skylight cover of claim 21, in which at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth elements is at least partially planar.

29. The skylight cover of claim 21, wherein the light transmitting body further includes a second corrugation residing traverse to the longitude of the body and intersecting the second lens.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The details of the present technology can be better understood with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that these figures are not necessarily to scale.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2A is a top plan view of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 2B is an enlarged plan view, taken at A in FIG. 2A, of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 2C is an enlarged plan view, taken at B in FIG. 2A, of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 2D is an enlarged plan view, taken at C in FIG. 2A, of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 2E is an enlarged plan view, taken at D in FIG. 2A, of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

(11) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

(12) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

(13) FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

(14) FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a prior art skylight cover;

(15) FIG. 9B is a side elevation view of a prior art skylight cover; and

(16) FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating performance of an embodiment of a skylight cover with advantageous topography in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention and that of two prior art skylight covers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(17) Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of this technology, and is not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Selected combinations of aspects of the disclosed technology correspond to a plurality of different embodiments of the present invention. It is intended that the present application includes such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the invention. Certain features may be interchanged with similar devices or features not expressly mentioned, which perform the same or similar function. It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is only for the purpose of describing particular aspects and is not intended to be limiting. Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

(18) A skylight cover 10 is provided. Cover 10 is configured to be positioned at the rooftop of a skylight system. Cover 10 is to be at least partially light transmitting. In particular embodiments, cover 10 may be at least partially translucent. In other certain configurations, cover 10 may be at least partially transparent. In still some other examples, cover 10 may be both at least partially translucent and at a least partially transparent.

(19) As disclosed herein, cover 10 has an advantageous topography. In describing such topography herein, upward shall be understood to mean projecting away from the skylight system below cover 10. Similarly, downward shall be understood to mean projecting toward the skylight system below cover 10.

(20) Cover 10 includes a periphery 12. In some embodiments, periphery 12 may be rectangular, or at least partially rectangular. In other embodiments, periphery 12 may be circular, or at least partially circular. In still other embodiments, periphery 12 may be curvilinear, or at least partially curvilinear. In yet still further embodiments, periphery 12 may be polygonal, or at least partially polygonal.

(21) In certain configurations, cover 10 may project upward from its periphery. In those instances, cover 10 may include an apex 14 defined within periphery 12.

(22) The topography of cover 10 may be understood to include a plurality of surfaces, such as surfaces 21-28. In particular embodiments, one or more of surfaces 21-28 may be parallel to another of surfaces 21-28. In other configurations, one of surfaces 21-28 may be adjacent to another of surfaces 21-28. In still other examples, one of surfaces 21-28 may be both parallel to another of surfaces 21-28 but also adjacent to yet a third of surfaces 21-28. In still yet additional forms, one of surfaces 21-28 may be contiguous to another of surfaces 21-28. In still further illustrations, one of surfaces 21-28 may be both contiguous to another of surfaces 21-28 and adjacent to yet still another of surfaces 21-28.

(23) In the embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings, some of surfaces 21-28 are illustrated as triangular in shape. Such a triangular shape provides an especially strong structure for surfaces 21-28 and, therefore, also for cover 10. However, not all of surfaces 21-28 need be triangular in shape, nor do any of surfaces 21-28 need be triangular in shape according to the present technology.

(24) In particular embodiments, it has been found that the structural strength of cover 10 is increased by the intersections of non-parallel surfaces of surfaces 21-28.

(25) In certain practices of the present technology, one or more of surfaces 21-28 may be at least partially planar. In certain representations, at least two of surfaces 21-28 may be at least partially planar and, in some examples of the present technology, the at least partial planes of two of surfaces 21-28 may reside in the same plane. In certain configurations, in which two of surfaces 21-28 are both partially planar and either adjacent to each other or contiguous with each other, the partial plane of one such adjacent or contiguous surface 21-28 may reside at an obtuse angle to the at least partial plane of another adjacent or contiguous surface 21-28. In still further representations of the present technology, in instances in which for example, a surface 21 is adjacent to or contiguous with both a surface 23 and a surface 25, and surfaces 21, 23, and 25 are at least partially planar, the at least partial plane of surface 23 may reside at obtuse angles to both the at least partial plane of surface 21 and surface 25.

(26) The advantageous topography of cover 10 may also be understood to include a plurality of ridges and creases. A ridge may be understood to define an elongated feature along the surface of cover 10 upward from cover 10. Similarly, a crease may be understood to be an elongated feature along the surface of cover 10 downward from cover 10.

(27) More specifically, cover 10 may include ridges 31-39, 60-69 and 70a,b. Ridges 31-39, 60-69 and 70a,b may be integral to cover 10. Ridges 31-39, 60-69 and 70a,b, and 70a,b may be linear, but need not be linear in all applications of the present technology.

(28) Cover 10 may also include creases 41-48 and 75-78. Creases 41-48 and 75-78 may be integral to cover 10. Creases 41-48 and 75-78 may be linear, but need not be linear in all applications of the present technology.

(29) A first exemplary ridge 31 may include a first ridge end 311 and an opposite second ridge end 312. A second ridge 32 may include a third ridge end 323 and a fourth ridge end 324.

(30) Cover 10 may also include a first crease 41, first crease 41 having a first crease end 411 and a second crease end 412. Cover 10 may also include a second crease 42, second crease 42 having a third crease end 423 and a fourth crease end 424. Cover 10 may also include a third crease 43, third crease 43 having a fifth crease end 435 and a sixth crease end 436. Cover 10 may also have a fourth crease 44, fourth crease 44 having a seventh crease end 447 and an eighth crease end 448.

(31) Additionally, cover 10 may define thereon faces 51-54. As illustrated in the appended drawings, some of faces 51-54 in the exemplary embodiments are illustrated to be triangular, which represents an especially strong structural shape. However, not all, or any, of faces 51-54 need necessarily be triangular but instead may be of another shape or of multiple other shapes. In particular embodiments, two of faces 51-54 may be parallel. In some configurations, two or more of faces 51-54 may be adjacent. In particular applications, at least one of faces 51-54 may be parallel to another of faces 51-54 and adjacent to yet a third of faces 51-54. In other instances, at least one of faces 51-54 may be contiguous with another of faces 51-54. Still further, in certain configurations one of faces 51-54 may be both parallel to a second of faces 51-54 and contiguous with yet a third of faces 51-54.

(32) The advantageous topography of cover 10 may be yet still further understood to include a first lens 71 and a second lens 72. First lens 71 may include a first element 81 and a second element 82. Second lens 72 may include a third element 83 and a fourth element 84. In some embodiments, first lens 71 may define a first polygonal perimeter 91, such as by a fifth ridge 35, a fifth crease 45, a sixth ridge 36, and an eighth crease 48. In other embodiments, second lens 72 may be understood to define a second polygonal perimeter 92, such as by a sixth ridge 46, a sixth crease 36, a seventh ridge 37, and seventh crease 47. In some configurations, first polygonal perimeter 91 and second polygonal perimeter 92 may be identical.

(33) In some configurations, first polygonal 91 may define a parallelogram. In other applications, first polygonal 91 and second polygonal perimeter 92 may each define parallelograms.

(34) In other configurations, first polygonal perimeter 91 may define a partial inverted frustum. In other applications, second polygonal perimeter 92 may define a partial inverted frustum. In specific representations, first polygonal perimeter 91 may define a partial inverted hexagonal pyramidal frustum. In other applications, second polygonal perimeter 92 may define a partial inverted hexagonal pyramidal frustum.

(35) Cover 10 may optionally be constructed by assembly of multiple sections. For example, cover 10 may be constructed of a first section 93 representing an end section, a second section 94 representing an opposite end section, and intermediate sections 95a-d, each representing intermediate sections between first section 93 and second section 94.

(36) Cover 10 may optionally include one or more corrugations, such as first corrugation 30 and second corrugation 40. Corrugations 30, 40 may be concave, projecting downward toward the skylight system beneath cover 10 such as is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 6, and 8, or they may be convex projecting upward away from the skylight system (not shown). Corrugations 30, 40 may be integral with cover 10, or separate therefrom and attached thereto.

(37) Thus, it will be appreciated that cover 10 has an advantageous topography. Consideration of the appended figures will further disclose the present technology. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A, an exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In such embodiment a first surface 21 is parallel to a second surface 22. Further, a third surface 23 and a fourth surface 24 are included that are parallel to each other. Additionally, a fifth surface 25 and a sixth surface 26 are provided, fifth surface 25 being parallel to sixth surface 26. Furthermore, a seventh surface 27a/b and an eighth surface 28a/b are provided, seventh surface 27a/b being parallel to eighth surface 28a/b. In the particular embodiment illustrated, for example in FIG. 1, seventh surface 27a/b is bisected by first corrugation 30, resulting in seventh surfaces 27a and 27b; likewise, eighth surface 28a/b is bisected by second corrugation 40, resulting in eighth surfaces 28a and 28b. It will be understood that, in this exemplary embodiment, neither first surface 21, third surface 23, fifth surface 25, nor seventh surface 27a/b are parallel to one another.

(38) With continuing reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A, third surface 23 is adjacent to first surface 21, and fifth surface 25 is adjacent to first surface 21 and third surface 23. Still further, first surface 21 and second surface 22 may be at least partially planar, with the at least partial planes of such surfaces residing in the same plane. Additionally, seventh surface 27a,b and eighth surface 28a,b may be at least partially planar, with the at least partial planes of such surfaces residing in the same plane. Moreover, third surface 23 is at least partially planar and the at least partial plane of third surface 23 resides at an obtuse angle to the at least partial plane of first surface 21. Fifth surface 25 is also at least partially planar and the at least partial plane of first surface 25 resides at obtuse angles both to the at least partial plane of first surface 21 and the at least partial plane of third surface 23. First surface 21 is contiguous with third surface 23 and fifth surface 25, and fifth surface 25 is contiguous with first surface 21 and third surface 23.

(39) It will be understood with reference to this exemplary embodiment that cover 10 may define a rectangular periphery 12, with an apex 14 within periphery 12.

(40) Continuing still with reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A, but also with reference to FIGS. 2B and 2C, the illustrated embodiment of cover 10 may also be understood to include a first ridge 31 having a first ridge end 311 and a second ridge end 312. Also illustrated is a first crease 41, having a first crease end 411 and a second crease end 412, first crease end 411 being disposed proximate to first ridge end 311, and second crease end 412 being disposed apart from second ridge end 312. A first face 51 is bounded by first ridge 31 and first crease 41. Additionally, a second ridge 32 is provided, second ridge 32 having a third ridge end 323 and a fourth ridge end 324. Additionally, a second crease 42 is illustrated, a second crease 42 having a third crease end 423 and a fourth crease end 424. Third crease end 423 is disposed proximate to third ridge end 323 and fourth crease end 424 is disposed apart from fourth ridge end 324. A second face 52 is bounded by second ridge 32 and second crease 42. First ridge 31 and second ridge 32, first crease 41 and second crease 42, and first face 51 and second face 52 reside within a first panel A of cover 10.

(41) It will be understood as to the particular exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C, that first ridge 31 and second ridge 32 are parallel and first crease 41 and second crease 42 are parallel. Furthermore, first face 51 and second face 52 are parallel. Additionally, first ridge 31 and second ridge 32 are linear.

(42) In some applications, including those illustrated for example in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2C, cover 10 includes a third crease 43, third crease 43 having a fifth crease end 435 and a sixth crease end 436. Still further, a third ridge 33 and a third face 53 provided, third face 53 being bounded by third crease 43 and third ridge 33. A fourth crease 44 is likewise included, fourth crease 44 having a seventh crease end 447 and an eighth crease end 448. A fourth ridge 34 is also provided, along with a fourth face 54 which is bounded by fourth crease 44 and fourth ridge 34. In this particular example, third crease 43 and fourth crease 44 are linear, as are third ridge 33 and fourth ridge 34. Further, for illustrative purposes only, first face 51 and second face 52 are at least partially planar.

(43) Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2A, but now also to FIGS. 2D and 2E, other aspects of the present technology may be further understood. The exemplary cover 10 illustrated therein comprises a light transmitting body. The light transmitting body may include an integral first lens 71 and an integral second lens 72. First lens 71 may define a first polygonal perimeter 91, such as by fifth crease 45, sixth ridge 36, eighth crease 48a,b, and fifth ridge 35. First lens 71 may have a first element 81 and a second element 82 residing within first polygonal perimeter 91, and second element 82 may be disposed adjacent to first element 81. Further, second lens 72 may define a second polygonal perimeter 92, such as by sixth ridge 36, sixth crease 46, seventh ridge 37, and seventh crease 47a,b. Second lens 72 may have a third element 83 and a fourth element 84 residing within second polygonal perimeter 92, fourth element 84 being disposed adjacent to third element 83.

(44) With reference especially to FIG. 2D, the illustrated embodiment has a first polygonal perimeter 91 that is a parallelogram, as is second polygonal perimeter 92. As an optional practice, first corrugation 30 may bisect first polygonal perimeter 91 and second corrugation 40 may bisect second polygonal perimeter 92, as illustrated. In such an exemplary embodiment, first element 81 and second element 82 reside in different planes and first element 81 and third elements 83 are parallel. Furthermore, first element 81 and third element 83 are parallel and second element 82 and fourth element 84 may be parallel. As may be selected for certain applications, in this exemplary embodiment second lens 72 may be identical to first lens 71. Furthermore, first element 81, second element 82, third element 83, and fourth element 84 may be at least partially planar and the at least partial planes of first element 81 and third element 83 may be parallel and the at least partial planes of second element 82 and fourth element 84 may be parallel.

(45) With reference especially to FIG. 2E, first polygonal perimeter 91 may be a partial inverted frustum. Particularly in this example, first polygonal perimeter 91 is a partial inverted hexagonal pyramidal frustum, bounded by tenth crease 76, first corrugation 30, twelfth ridge 62, eleventh ridge 61, and second corrugation 40. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2E, first element 81 and second element 82 may reside in different planes and first element 81 and fourth element 84 may be parallel. As may optionally be selected for certain applications, in this exemplary embodiment second lens 72 is identical to first lens 71. Furthermore, first element 81, second element 82, third element 83, and fourth element 84 may be at least partially planar and the at least partial planes of second element 82 and third element 83 are parallel and the at least partial planes of first element 81 and fourth element 84 may be parallel.

(46) FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of cover 10, illustrating the aforedescribed advantageous topography.

(47) FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of cover 10, further illustrating the aforedescribed advantageous topography.

(48) FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of cover 10, illustrating the aforedescribed advantageous topography. It will be appreciated that features identified from FIGS. 1 and 2A as ridges would appear to be creases from the perspective of FIG. 5, and features identified in FIGS. 1 and 2A as creases would appear to be ridges from the perspective of FIG. 5.

(49) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of cover 10, illustrating a construction of cover 10 for a shorter longitudinal dimension by omitting insertion of one or more of intermediate sections 95a-d.

(50) FIG. 7 represents another embodiment of cover 10, in which second panels B have been omitted, yet achieving advantageous topography for cover 10.

(51) FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of cover 10, illustrating that cover 10 may be constructed by assembly of a first section 93, a second section 94 and one or more of intermediate sections 95a-d. The number of intermediate sections 95a-d to be included in a particular assembly of a cover 10 depends upon the longitudinal dimension of cover 10 required for a particular application. The modularity provided by the optional inclusion of one or more of intermediate sections 95a-d provides flexibility and economy in the construction of a cover 10.

(52) Evaluation of a prototype of cover 10, constructed with the aforedescribed advantageous topography, has revealed a cover 10 of adequate and sufficient structural strength to withstand the external forces upon such a cover 10, including wind and precipitation. Furthermore, evaluation of such a prototype has revealed achievement of such structural integrity while minimizing the thickness of the material required for construction of cover 10, thereby resulting in a lighter weight for cover 10 which, in turn, is also provided for greater transmission of light through cover 10.

(53) As to the transmission of light through cover 10, cover 10 has also been evaluated to provide higher transmission into a skylight assembly of early morning and late afternoon sunlight. More specifically, cover 10 has been evaluated to provide greater transmission of light upon cover 10 at low incidence angles. Cover 10 has been evaluated for its transmission of low-angle incident light in comparison to the cover disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,395,636 and D489,462, identified above in DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART, which will be referred to hereinafter as Cover E. Additionally, cover 10 has been evaluated for its performance in transmitting low-angle incident light in comparison to the second prior art device described above in DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART, that with an arched main body and saddle-shaped concavity disposed between curvilinear boundaries residing across such arch. Embodiments of this second alternative design are depicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B. This second, other design will be referred to hereinafter as Cover F..

(54) A prototype of a cover 10 in accordance with the foregoing principles was evaluated in two ways relative to Covers E and F. First, all three covers were evaluated for the amount of light transmitted through the respective cover as dependent upon the incident angle of the light upon the respective cover. FIG. 10 illustrates that cover 10 configured in accordance with the foregoing principles achieved superior light transmission as compared to Cover E and Cover F, in which the X-axis denotes the incident light angle and the Y-axis denotes the lumens of light transmitted. The following Table 1 illustrates the numerical values achieved and computed from the foregoing analysis, confirming the superior properties of the present invention compared to these known prior art devices:

(55) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Sun Lumens Transmitted Angle Present Invention Cover E Cover F 10 7,331 6,825 6,714 20 19,966 18,396 17,527 30 33,826 31,181 31,285 40 47,123 43,620 45,447 50 59,154 55,403 58,717 60 69,471 65,553 69,732 70 77,712 73,599 78,132 80 83,408 79,543 83,774 90 85,810 81,760 85,679 Average 53,756 50,652 53,001

(56) Covers E and F were evaluated in comparison to the prototype cover 10 constructed in accordance with the foregoing principles, for how much more quickly the cover 10 prototype could achieve a given level of light transmission of low-angle incident light at various latitudes in the United States, compared to Cover E and Cover F. The following Table 2 illustrates the superior results achieved by the cover 10 configured in accordance with the foregoing principles:

(57) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Number of Minutes Ahead Cover E Cover F Spring/ Spring/ Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall New York 22.5 14.7 14.4 23.9 15.6 15.3 Atlanta 17.3 13.4 12.8 18.4 14.2 13.6 Chicago 24.1 14.9 14.7 25.6 15.9 15.6 Los 17.3 13.4 13.1 18.4 14.2 13.9 Angeles Seattle 16.8 16.2 17.8 17.3

(58) As illustrated in Table 2, the prototype constructed in accordance with the present invention achieved earlier light thresholds than Cover E and Cover F at each of the latitudes in which the three covers were evaluated. This data confirms the superior transmission of light by the prototype cover 10 constructed in accordance with the foregoing principles which, for example, means artificial lighting within a building may be turned down or off sooner in the morning, or up or on later in the evening, by use a cover 10 constructed in accordance with the foregoing principles as compared with either of Covers E and F.

(59) The preceding examples, figures, discussion, and explanations consider specific embodiments. It is to be understood that such specific details are provided for illustrative purposes only and not as limitations to be applied in interpreting the appended claims. It will be further understood that the present technology further encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the present invention includes such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and there equivalents.