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  Solar energy collection system for outdoor umbrellaUSPTO Application #: 20070056617Title: Solar energy collection system for outdoor umbrella Abstract: An outdoor umbrella includes an awning, an umbrella frame, an illumination system, and a solar energy collection system. The solar energy collection system includes a supporting adjustor and a solar energy collector. The supporting adjustor has an upper pivot portion, and a lower retention portion detachably mounted on the top portion of the supporting post. The solar energy collector, which is electrically connected with the illumination system, is pivotally mounted on the pivot portion of the supporting adjustor at a position above the awning, wherein the solar energy collector is adapted to selectively adjust a tilt angle with respect to the supporting post for directly facing towards sunlight to maximize solar energy collection so as to supply electrical power to the illumination system. (end of abstract) Agent: Raymond Y. Chan - Monterey Park, CA, US Inventor: Wanda Ying Li USPTO Applicaton #: 20070056617 - Class: 135091000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Tent, Canopy, Umbrella, Or Cane, Portable Shelter (i.e., Tent Or Canopy), With Heating, Lighting, Or Ventilating The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070056617. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an outdoor umbrella, and more particularly to a detachable solar energy collection system for an outdoor umbrella, wherein the solar energy collection system is adjustable for collecting solar energy at an optimal tilt angle. [0003] 2. Description of Related Arts [0004] A conventional outdoor umbrella usually comprises an awning, a main supporting frame comprising an awning frame and a central post frame, and an illumination system supported on the main supporting frame for providing illumination towards an underneath of the awning. In order to provide electricity to the illumination system, the outdoor umbrella further comprises a power system mounted on the main supporting frame to electrically connect with the illumination system. The power system may be embodied as one of the followings: first, the power system may comprise a battery unit (which is usually rechargeable) mounted on the main supporting frame for providing electricity to the illumination system; second, the power system may comprise a solar energy collection system supported on the main supporting frame for collecting solar energy and converting the solar energy into electrically energy which is then transmitted to the illumination. [0005] For the first power system, the main problem is that the battery unit needed to be recharged or even replaced regularly in order to provide continuous supply of adequate electricity for the illumination system. If the user forgets to recharge or replace the battery unit, the illumination system will not function properly and the activity with the outdoor umbrella may be forced to cancel. [0006] For the second power system, the solar energy collection system usually comprises a solar energy collection panel mounted on top of the main supporting frame of the outdoor umbrella for collecting solar energy. The problem in association with this type of solar energy collection system is that the solar energy collection panel is usually permanently mounted on the main supporting frame in such a manner that the solar energy collection panel is both not adjustable and not detachable. As a result, the solar energy collection system may not be capable of adsorbing or collecting solar energy in an efficient manner so that it may not collect adequate solar energy for operating the illumination system for a desirable period of time. [0007] Moreover, since virtually all of the solar energy collection panels mounted on the outdoor umbrella, there is nothing a user can do in repairing or cleaning the solar energy collection panel when it becomes dirty or out of order. Since the solar energy collection panel is usually mounted on an upper housing, which is usually mounted on the central post frame of the outdoor umbrella in a non-detachable manner, therefore, in order to replace or repair the solar energy collection system, there will emerge a great deal of trouble as to how to detach the solar energy collection system from the main supporting frame. Ultimately, the user may simply choose not to fix or clean the solar energy collection system and this directly affect the operation of the illumination system. Obviously, the user may purchase a new outdoor umbrella, but this inevitably induces the user unnecessary expenditure. [0008] Apart from maintenance problem, conventional solar energy collection system is not adjustable. As a result, the solar energy collection panel may not be set up in such an efficient manner to absorb the maximum amount of solar energy. As a result, associated problems arise. For example, the solar energy collection system may not be capable of absorbing an adequate amount of solar energy so that the illumination system may not work properly. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0009] A main object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrella comprising a solar energy collection system which allows a solar energy collection panel to be adjusted at an optimal tilt angle for collecting a maximum amount of solar energy. [0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrella comprising a solar energy collection system which is detachable from a main frame of the outdoor umbrella in order to accommodate easy and convenient maintenance of the solar energy collection system. [0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrella comprising a solar energy collection system, wherein the solar energy collection system is adjustable and detachable from the main frame of the outdoor umbrella while allowing sound electrical connection between the solar energy collection system and an illumination system provided on the outdoor umbrella. [0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrella comprising a solar energy collection system, which does not involve complicated mechanical or electrical components so as to minimize the manufacturing cost and the ultimate selling price of the present invention. [0013] Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides an outdoor umbrella, comprising: [0014] an awning; [0015] an umbrella frame comprising an upward supporting post, and an awning supporting frame radially extended from a top portion of the supporting post to support the awning to define a shading area thereunder; [0016] an illumination system provided on the umbrella frame for illuminating the shading area of the awning; and [0017] a solar energy collection system, which comprises: [0018] a supporting adjustor having an upper pivot portion and a lower retention portion detachably mounted on the top portion of the supporting post, and [0019] a solar energy collector which is electrically connected with the illumination and is pivotally mounted on the pivot portion of the supporting adjustor at a position above the awning, wherein the solar energy collector is adapted to selectively adjust a tilt angle with respect to the supporting post for directly facing towards sunlight to maximize solar energy collection so as to supply electrical power to the illumination system. [0020] These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] FIG. 1 is a side view of an outdoor umbrella according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Solar energy collection system for outdoor umbrella Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Solar energy collection system for outdoor umbrella patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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