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

1-12. (canceled)

13. A sun protection device comprising: a base body; and a support structure for a fabric structure extendable under tension, said support structure including at least one support element, and including a device for utilizing solar energy, said support element having a configuration capable of sub-dividing flat structures into covering sections; wherein at least one of said support element being configured as a solar collector.

14. The sun protection device according to claim 13, wherein said support element includes a collector plate, which overlaps said covering section adjacent thereto.

15. The sun protection device arrangement according to claim 14, wherein said support element includes a tensioning device having a configuration capable of tensioning said flat structures, respectively.

16. The sun protection device according to claim 15, wherein said flat structures are arranged between said tensioning device and said support element.

17. The sun protection device according to claim 15, wherein said support element and said tensioning device are formed as a single piece.

18. The sun protection device according to claim 15, wherein said tensioning device has a U-profile that is detachably connected to said support element using a clip connection.

19. The sun protection device according to claim 13, wherein said flat structures are formed as a single piece.

20. The sun protection device according to claim 13, wherein said flat structures are assembled from a plurality of physically separated covering sections.

21. The sun protection device according to claim 20 further comprising flexible stiffeners incorporated into ends of said physically separated covering sections which each adjoin said support element, said flexible stiffeners having a configuration capable of providing a fixed stationary position between said tensioning device and said support element.

22. The sun protection device according to claim 13, wherein said support element defines a support channel formed on a side of said support element, said support channel facing away from the sun.

23. The sun protection device according to claim 22, wherein said support channel having a configuration capable of accommodating an electrical supply device for said device for utilizing solar energy.

24. The sun protection device according to claim 13, wherein said support element, when facing the sun, is adapted in shape to an extended form of said flat structure facing the sun.

25. The sun protection device according to claim 13, wherein said base body forms a parasol with said support structure.

26. The sun protection device according to claim 13, wherein said support element is a plurality of support elements extending from said base body, with at least one of said flat structures being between two of said support structures.

27. The sun protection device according to claim 13, wherein said support element is pivotably connected with said base body.

Description

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following by reference to the drawing. Shown are:

[0021] 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;

[0022] 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;

[0023] 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;

[0024] 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

[0025] FIG. 4b a schematic representation of a tensioning device for a support element of FIG. 4a.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] FIG. 4a shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] A central channel 19 is formed in the fitting 18 to accommodate an electrical device for the solar collectors.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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

[0043] 1 support element

[0044] 3 collector plate

[0045] 5 tensioning device

[0046] 5.1 section

[0047] 5.2 section

[0048] 5.3 support element

[0049] 7 flat structure

[0050] 7.1 first covering section

[0051] 7.2 second covering section

[0052] 7.3 first stiffener

[0053] 7.4 second stiffener

[0054] 9 channel

Second Embodiment

[0055] 10 support element

[0056] 13 collector plate

[0057] 15 tensioning device

[0058] 15.3 annular projection

[0059] 15.4 internal attachment

[0060] 17 flat structure

[0061] 17.1 first covering section

[0062] 17.2 second covering section

[0063] 18 fitting

[0064] 18.1 section

[0065] 18.2 section

[0066] 18.3 annular recess underside

[0067] 18.4 underside

[0068] 18.5 recess

[0069] 19 channel