Abstract:
A unique solar shield and a solar-ray shielding method are disclosed. The solar shield of the present invention is divided essentially into two parts—a wrapping member and a mounting plate. The wrapping member wraps around an electronic device. The mounting plate holds the wrapping member around the electronic device. The electronic device is fixedly attached to the mounting plate using known fasteners such as bolts. The solar shield shields the electronic device from solar rays and prevents unwanted heat absorption due to the solar rays.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to shields for electronic devices and, more particularly, to a unique solar shield for shielding electronic devices from solar rays. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electronic devices, such as transmitters and receivers, that are situated outdoors may require shielding from solar rays to avoid overheating and interference with their operation. A variety of different solar-ray shielding techniques are known in the art. In one conventional technique, the electronic devices are painted with white paint to reduce the absorption of solar rays. In another conventional technique, the shapes of the electronic devices are designed to minimize surface areas exposed to solar rays. In still another conventional technique, heat sinks are incorporated into the electronic devices. 
     Despite these approaches, a variety of problems with solar ray shielding for electronic devices persist. For instance, the use of white paint compromises the aesthetics of the electronic device (i.e., gets dirty) and may need to be reapplied often depending on the geographical location of the electronic devices. With respect to configuring the electronic device to minimize exposure to solar-rays, this technique often complicates the design and shape of the electronic device and may result in a structure less optimal for performing the desired electrical operations. With respect to using heat sinks, this technique increases the cost associated with the electronic device and enlarges its size. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method and device for shielding solar rays from electronic devices that overcomes the above-described and other problems associated with conventional solar shielding devices and methods. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a unique solar shield and a solar-ray shielding method that overcomes the problems of conventional solar shielding devices and methods. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the solar shield comprise a wrapping member and a mounting plate. The wrapping member has sections that are folded or bent to wrap around an electronic device. The mounting plate fixedly holds the wrapping member in a folded state around the electronic device. The electronic device also is fixedly attached to the mounting plate using fasteners such as bolts or brackets. 
     The solar shield configuration minimizes the heat transfer from the shield into the electronics by creating a lengthy path where the heat will dissipate off the shield prior to reading the electronics region. 
     The solar shield of the present invention is simple in design, easy to manufacture, easy to assemble, and refined in appearance. At the same time, the solar shield effectively shields the electronic device from unwanted temperature rises due to impinging solar rays. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B are different perspectives of a solar shield according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2A is a front view of the solar shield shown in FIG.  1 A. 
     FIG. 2B is a back view of the solar shield shown in FIG.  1 A. 
     FIG. 2C is a top plan view of the solar as shown in FIG.  1 A. 
     FIG. 2D is a side view of the solar shield as shown in FIG.  1 A. 
     FIG. 3A is an unfolded, flattened lay out view of a wrapping member of the solar shield shown in FIG.  1 A. 
     FIG. 3B is a plan view of a mounting plate of the solar shield shown in FIG.  1 A. 
     FIG. 4 is a pictorial representation of the solar shield of FIG. 1A wrapped around an electronic device and mounted on a pole according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pole bracket and the solar shield of FIG. 1A wrapped around an electronic device according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIGS. 1A-2D, the solar shield  50  essentially comprises two parts-a wrapping member  10  and a mounting plate  30 . The wrapping member  10  includes a plurality of first wrapping sections  14  connected to each other, and a plurality of second wrapping sections  15  extending from the first wrapping sections  14 . The end portions of the second wrapping sections  15  are fixed to the mounting plate  30  using known fastening techniques such as spot welding. Each of the wrapping member  10  and the mounting plate  30  comprises a material capable of shielding solar rays. The term “shielding”, as used here, broadly refers to reflecting, absorbing, and deflecting. Suitable materials include aluminum, steel and other sheet metals, and plastics, such as ABS and polycarbonate. 
     The wrapping member  10  further includes an air hole  12  for exhausting any hot air or gas within the solar shield  50 , and a pole hole  13  (optional) through which a pole for supporting the electronic device can pass. The air hole  12  and the pole hole  13  preferably are both disposed in one of the first wrapping sections  14  that will face upwardly when the assembly is mounted. The pole hole  13  (formed by carving out a side portion of a wrapping section  14 ) is advantageous because it allows the solar shield  50  to be mounted on a pole at different angles. At one or more of the second wrapping sections  15 , a connector hole  16  is provided through which cables or other connectors can pass. 
     FIG. 3A is a layout view of the wrapping member  10  of the solar shield  50  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3A, the wrapping member  10  includes five first wrapping sections  14  ( 14   a ,  14   b ,  14   c ,  14   d  and  14   e ), and four second wrapping sections  15  ( 15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d ) extending from the first sections  14   a ,  14   b ,  14   d  and  14   e . The first and second wrapping sections  14  and  15  meet each other along folding lines  11 . Each of the second wrapping sections  15   a - 15   d  includes a mounting hole  17   a  (e.g., for accepting a bolt) that align with the holes  17   b  in the mounting plate  30 . Each of the two inner second wrapping sections  15   b  and  15   c  includes a connector hole  16  for allowing the cable or other connector of the electronic device to pass through. 
     The wrapping member  10  further includes a plurality of first reinforcement extensions  18   a  extending from the first wrapping sections  14   a - 14   e  oppositely from the second wrapping sections, and a pair of second reinforcement extensions  18   b  extending from the first wrapping sections  14   a  and  14   e  in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first reinforcement extensions. These first and second reinforcement extensions  18   a  and  18   b  are foldable towards the first wrapping sections  14   a - 14   e  by the operation of the folding lines  11  (e.g., as shown in FIG.  1 B). This reinforces or strengthens the end portions of the first wrapping sections  14  against wind, rain, snow and other weathering factors. 
     FIG. 3B is a plan view of the mounting plate  30  in FIG.  1 A. The mounting plate  30  includes a plurality of mounting holes  17   b  (e.g., for accepting bolts) corresponding to the holes  17   a  in FIG. 3A for attaching the second wrapping sections  15  and the electronic device to the mounting plate  30 . The mounting plate  30  in this example has a configuration of a square with rounded ends. However, any other shape, size or configuration can be used as long as the mounting plate  30  is able to hold together the ends of the second wrapping sections  15   a - 15   d  as well as the electronic device. 
     The wrapping member  10  of the solar shield  50  is folded along the folding lines  11  (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3A) so that it wraps around the electronic device. Because of the folding lines, the solar shield of the present invention can be easily assembled. Further, since the solar shield is comprised of the wrapping member and the mounting plate, it can be manufactured easily and in a cost effective manner. 
     FIG. 4 is a pictorial representation of the solar shield  50  used in conjunction with an electronic device and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the solar shield  50  bolted to the electronic device, and a pole bracket for mounting the solar shield  50  to a pole, all according to one embodiment of the present invention. These figures are provided only to illustrate the use of the solar shield in conjunction with an electronic device and a pole bracket. Obviously, any other electronic device and/or pole bracket can be used in lieu of those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. 
     As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an electronic device, comprising electronic portion  64  and antenna/radome  62  in need of a solar-ray shielding is fixedly attached to the metal plate  30  of the solar shield  50  so that the solar shield  50  wraps around electronic portions  64  of the electronic device  60  but not around an antenna/radome  62  of the electronic device  60 . A plastic solar shield could be placed above the antenna, if so desired. The solar shield  50  and the electronic device  60  are fixedly mounted on a particular location of a pole  70  Using a conventional fastener such as pole bracket  80 , which is well known in the art, Bolts  82  (FIG. 5) or other fasteners can be used to fix the solar shield  50  to the pole bracket  80 . In this example, a pole hole  13  is not provided in the solar shield  50  since the solar shield  50  is mounted on the pole  70  at a downward angle. 
     The electronic device  60  is protected or shielded from solar rays because the solar shield  50  wraps around the electronic portions  64  of the solar shield  50 . Any air or gas entrapped between the electronic portions  64  and the inside of the solar shield  50  can be exhausted through the air hole  12  to assist with cooling the electronic device  60 . 
     One skilled in the art will readily understand that one or more air holes such as the air hole  12  can be provided on each of the first and second wrapping sections  14  and  15 . Further, connector holes such as the connector hole  16  can be provided at any portion of the solar shield  50  if such holes are needed and appropriate to combine the electronic device with the solar shield  50 . For example, a connector hole  31  (FIG. 5) can be provided at the center of the mounting plate  30 , if needed. Any shape, size or configuration can be used for the air holes and/or connector holes. Further, the shape, size and configuration of the solar shield or different parts of the solar shield of the present invention can be varied depending on the application and need without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, instead of having five first wrapping sections  14   a - 14   e , there can be a different number of first wrapping sections such as three first wrapping sections. In this case, the three first wrapping sections will be folded to form a rectangular shape and there can be three second wrapping sections corresponding to the three first wrapping sections. The shape, size and configuration of the solar shield or different parts thereof can also vary depending on the shape, size or configuration of the electronic device to be shielded. All such variations are contemplated as part of the present invention. 
     In another embodiment, instead of having multiple first wrapping sections that are configured to wrap around an electronic device by the operation of the folding lines, one continuous and smooth wrapping section in the shape of a semicircle can be used in lieu of the first wrapping sections  14   a - 14   e.    
     The solar shield of the present invention is applicable to any device that requires shielding from solar rays, such as transmitters, receivers, LMDS (Local Multi-point Distribution System) products, etc. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.