Sun protection device having solar panels

Abstract

The invention relates to a sun protection device comprising a base body and a support structure for a clampable surface structure, the structure having a plurality of support elements, and a device for the utilization of solar energy, characterized in that the support elements (1; 10) divide the surface structure (7; 17) in covering regions (7.1, 7.2; 17.1, 17.2) and in that at least one support element (1; 10) is designed as a solar panel.

Claims

1. A sun protection device comprising: a base body; and a support structure for a fabric structure extendable under tension, said support structure including a plurality of support elements, and a device for utilizing solar energy, said support elements having a configuration capable of sub-dividing said fabric structure into covering sections, wherein each of said support elements has a maximum width which exceeds a maximum height of the respective support element, wherein each of said support elements includes a tensioning device configured to connect said covering sections under tension, wherein at least one of the support elements includes a collector plate, and at least one solar panel associated with said collector plate, and wherein the support elements jointly form a substantially closed outer cover when the sun protection device is in a collapsed rest position without the support elements interlocking one another.

2. The sun protection device according to claim 1, wherein said fabric structure is arranged between said tensioning devices and said support elements.

3. The sun protection device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one support element further comprises a fitting which extends from said collector plate opposite said solar panel, and wherein said collector plate and said fitting are formed as a single piece, and wherein said tensioning device is a profile that is detachably connected to said fitting.

4. The sun protection device according to claim 3, wherein said tensioning device and said fitting each has a U-profile, and wherein said U-profiles of said tensioning device and said fitting have corresponding clamping regions.

5. The sun protection device according to claim 3, wherein an underside of said fitting defines a recess, and said tensioning device includes an internal attachment configured to engage with said recess when said tensioning device is clipped on to said fitting.

6. The sun protection device according to claim 3, wherein said fitting includes a support channel formed therein.

7. The sun protection device according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of said fabric structure is clamped between said tensioning device and said fitting when said tensioning device is clipped on to said fitting.

8. The sun protection device according to claim 1, wherein said fabric structure is formed as a single piece.

9. The sun protection device according to claim 1, wherein said covering sections are a plurality of physically separated parts and collectively form said fabric structure.

10. The sun protection device according to claim 9, further comprising flexible stiffeners incorporated into ends of said physically separated covering sections which each adjoin said support elements, said flexible stiffeners having a configuration capable of providing a fixed stationary position between said tensioning device and said support elements.

11. The sun protection device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one support element defines a support channel formed on a side of said at least one support element, said support channel facing away from the sun.

12. The sun protection device according to claim 11, wherein said support channel has a configuration capable of accommodating an electrical supply device for said device for utilizing solar energy.

13. The sun protection device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one support element, when facing the sun, is adapted in shape to an extended form of said fabric structure facing the sun.

14. The sun protection device according to claim 1, wherein said base body forms a parasol with said support structure.

15. The sun protection device according to claim 1, wherein said support elements are pivotably connected with said base body.

16. The sun protection device according to claim 1, wherein each said tensioning device and said support element are one piece.

17. The sun protection device according to claim 1, wherein said collector plate and said tensioning device are a single piece.

18. The sun protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a termination plate which forms an upper surface of the outer cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following by reference to the drawing. Shown are:

(2) FIG. 1 a schematic view of a sun protection device in accordance with the present invention in the form of a parasol in a fully extended operating state;

(3) FIG. 2 a schematic view of a sun protection device in accordance with the present invention in the form of a parasol in a collapsed rest state;

(4) FIG. 3 a schematic cross-sectional view of a support element for a sun protection device in accordance with the present invention in a first embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4a a schematic cross-sectional view of a support element for a sun protection device in accordance with the present invention in a second embodiment; and

(6) FIG. 4b a schematic representation of a tensioning device for a support element of FIG. 4a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) The embodiments of the present invention are described using the example of a parasol. However, the present invention is in fact not restricted to the practical embodiment of a parasol. Instead, the support elements, which are adapted to a parasol, can be adapted to the practical circumstances in other embodiments in a similar way.

(8) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a sun protection device 100 as a parasol in a fully extended operating position. The sun protection device 100 has a base body 101, which comprises a rod 103 having a free end 104 for fixing in a stand (not shown), and a support structure compose of a plurality of support elements 1/10. In the operating position shown, the support elements 1/10 are supported on the rod 103 via support arms 105 and a sleeve 106. The support elements 1/10 are hinge-connected to an end 107 of the rod 103 opposite to the free end 104. In this way, a displacement of the sleeve 106 along the rod 103 allows the support elements 1/10 to be moved into the operating position shown or into a rest position, in which the support elements 1/10 are positioned roughly parallel to the rod 103. At the end 107 of the rod 103 is located a plate-like termination 108.

(9) FIG. 2 shows the sun protection device of FIG. 1 in a slightly magnified form in a collapsed rest position. The support elements 1/10 in the embodiment shown form an almost closed cover. The plate-like termination 108 has such a diameter that it completely covers an opening area 109 which appears in the rest position.

(10) The terms operating position and rest position refer only to the sun protection function of the sun protection device 100. An additional intended function of the sun protection device, namely the energy recovery, is also active or can be activated in the rest position.

(11) FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a support element 1 of a sun protection device 100 in accordance with the present invention in a first embodiment. The support element 1 in the first embodiment is designed as a single piece and comprises a collector plate 3 and a tensioning device 5. The collector plate 3, both in an operating position and in a resting position of the parasol, in other words in a fully extended state or a collapsed state of a parasol, forms the side facing the sun, on which the solar radiation will be incident. The collector plate 3 carries solar panels that are not shown separately here. Their design and construction is generally known and not the subject of the present invention.

(12) The parasol has a flat structure 7, which consists of a textile material, for example. The flat structure 7 is not restricted to a textile material however, but can comprise any materials that are commonly used, for example, for parasols and awnings. Examples of such materials are paper-based materials and plastics.

(13) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the flat structure 7 is sub-divided into a first covering section 7.1 and a second covering section 7.2. The at least one support element 1 is also used for connecting the first covering section 7.1 and the second covering section 7.2. To achieve this, between the collector plate 3 and the tensioning device 5, an area 5.1, 5.2 is formed to which one side of the first covering section 7.1 or the second covering section 7.2 can be fixed or clamped. In order that this functions properly, the first covering section 7.1 has a stiffener 7.3 on this side and the second covering section 7.2 has a stiffener 7.4 on this side. In the embodiment shown, the respective stiffener 7.3, 7.4 had a round cross-section, which fits tightly into the corresponding area 5.1 and/or 5.2 of the tensioning device 5.

(14) The collector plate 3 overlaps the respective covering section 7.1, 7.2, and has a slightly convex curvature towards the sun corresponding to the curvature of a fully extended parasol. In the area of the respective overlap of the collector plate 3 the tensioning device 5 has a support element 5.3, which is preferably also designed slightly elastic and with its spring action is stretched upwards in the direction of the underside of the respective covering section 7.1, 7.2. This ensures a fixed clamping of the flat structure 1 with its respective covering sections 7.1, 7.2 in the support element 1.

(15) In the tensioning device 5 in the present embodiment in FIG. 1 a central channel 9 is formed, which can accommodate an electrical supply device for the solar collectors.

(16) FIG. 4a shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the present invention.

(17) In the second embodiment, a support element 10 of a sun protection device in accordance with the present invention is formed from multiple pieces and comprises, in particular, a collector plate 13 and a tensioning device 15. In an operating position, thus in a fully extended state of a parasol, the collector plate 13 forms the side which is facing toward the sun, on which the solar radiation will be incident. The collector plate 13 carries solar panels that are not shown separately here. Their design and construction is generally known and is not the subject of the present invention.

(18) The parasol has a flat structure 17, which consists of a textile material, for example. The flat structure 17 is not restricted to a textile material however, but can comprise any materials that are commonly used, for example, for parasols and awnings. Examples of such materials are paper-based materials and plastics.

(19) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4a, a flat structure 17 is sub-divided into a first covering section 17.1 and a second covering section 17.2, wherein the flat structure 17 is designed as a single piece, hence the sections are not physically separated from each other. The at least one support element 10 is also used for connecting the first covering section 17.1 and the second covering section 17.2. To this end, on a side of the collector plate 13 facing away from the sun, a fitting 18 is provided. At least one region 18.1, 18.2 is formed in this, to which one side of the first covering section 17.1 or of the second covering section 17.2 can be fixed or clamped.

(20) On an underside 18.4 of the fitting 18 a recess 18.5 is formed, in which an internal attachment 15.4 of the tensioning device 15 can engage. At this point, by means of externally applied pressure and a spring action, the U-profile can be spread apart, so that the tensioning device 15 can be detached from the fitting 18 to release the flat structure 17.

(21) A central channel 19 is formed in the fitting 18 to accommodate an electrical device for the solar collectors.

(22) In FIG. 4b the tensioning device 15 is shown schematically. The arrow shows the direction in which the tensioning device 15 is mounted on the fitting 18 and on the flat structure which rests on said fitting 17.

(23) The basic idea of the modular support elements can also be implemented with other types of garden furniture, such as laundry spiders, garden fences or their components.

REFERENCE LIST

First Embodiment

(24) 1 support element 3 collector plate 5 tensioning device 5.1 section 5.2 section 5.3 support element 7 flat structure 7.1 first covering section 7.2 second covering section 7.3 first stiffener 7.4 second stiffener 9 channel Second Embodiment 10 support element 13 collector plate 15 tensioning device 15.3 annular projection 15.4 internal attachment 17 flat structure 17.1 first covering section 17.2 second covering section 18 fitting 18.1 section 18.2 section 18.3 annular recess underside 18.4 underside 18.5 recess 19 channel