Abstract:
A portable modular solar battery charger of the lap top style is disclosed. The module includes two body members hingedly interconnected with each body member having a solar panel attached thereto. A circuit is provided for transferring the energy from the solar panels to a battery charger which, in turn, official charges a battery. The modular unit is interconnectable with additional similar modules by both a physical link and an electrical link.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a modular solar battery charger and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a compact module which may be interconnected with similar modules for charging any source of voltaic piles.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Solar panel battery charges have been proposed in the art for many years and have evolved into many different forms. Characteristic of these panels is the significant size and weight which limits the effectiveness in certain applications. The larger arrangements are generally employed for charging batteries for use in lighting traffic signs, security lights, etc. These arrangements are often fixedly secured to a standard or other structure and are therefore permanent.  
           [0003]    In terms of other more affordable battery charges, the same are often quite large, heavy and therefore cumbersome to handle. One of the other disadvantages associated with the existing arrangements is that the chargers are often delicate and this is particular true of the silicon layers which are integral to the energy transfer process. As such, the structures must often be handled with extreme care in order to avoid damage of the solar cells.  
           [0004]    It would be desirable to have a portable charger that did not present size and mass problems and also which could be interconnected or reconfigured to function in a host of environments.  
           [0005]    The present invention satiates the needs in this field.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    One object of the present invention is to provide improved modular battery charger.  
           [0007]    A further object in one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a modular solar battery charger, comprising:  
           [0008]    a first body member and a second body member hingedly connected and moveable from a storage position where each body member is positioned in overlying faced relation to a use position where each body member is in juxtaposed relation;  
           [0009]    a solar panel on each body member for generating electricity when exposed to light;  
           [0010]    a circuit means for transferring electrical energy from each the panel to a battery; and  
           [0011]    module interconnection means for interconnecting similar modules in electrical contact.  
           [0012]    It has been found that hingedly connected body members afford a user with previously unrealized portability for the solar unit. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any type of battery or voltaic pile which is rechargeable may be recharged by this system. It is also envisioned that the unit can provide power to an apparatus via a passage of energy into a capacitor network. As mentioned herein above, a convenient advantage to this structure is seen in the enhanced durability of the solar panels. As is known, solar panels typically quite fragile and by providing a strong plastic or other synthetic material body to support the panels, the user can use the panels for applications previously not possible.  
           [0013]    The arrangement has been designed to facilitate interconnection of similar modules for applications requiring higher power. As a distinct advantage, since the units are modular a large number of them can be linked and disassembled which was not possible with the larger and more massive units in the prior art.  
           [0014]    Having thus described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a view of the underside of the device;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of two units linked together; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0020]    Similar numerals in the figures denote similar elements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the overall structure of the battery charger globally denoted by numeral  10 . The arrangement is shown in a closed condition in FIG. 1 and includes a pair of body members  12  and  14  each of which includes a solar cell array  16  and  18 , respectively. Each solar cell array  16  and  18  is spaced inwardly from the perimeter of its respective body member  12  or  14 .  
         [0022]    The body members  12  and  14  are interconnected by a hinge, each body member  12  and  14  having mating sections  20  comprising the hinge. The hinge  20  includes opposed ends  22  and  24  each including either a male electrical contact  30  or a female electrical contact receptacle  34 . It will be understood that each individual unit  10  includes one of the male connector  30  and the female connector  34 . This has been found to be particularly useful for interconnection of similar modules so that the same can be ganged to multiply the charging power of an interconnected unit, such is that shown in FIG. 4 relative to the single unit shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0023]    In order to ensure positive contact and prevent any inadvertent disconnection of a ganged unit, each unit  10  further includes a retractable extension  40 , shown best in FIG. 3 and which is adapted to extend outwardly from one of the body members  12  or  14 . In the example, body member  14  includes the retractable projection  40  which retracts into and out of the body member  14 . Extension and retraction is achieved by actuating slidable locks  44  which are molded into the under side of one of the body panels. Any suitable arrangement can be employed to retain the projection  40  in either its retracted position as shown in FIG. 3 or the extended position (not shown). Projection  40  cooperates and is received by a mating receptacle  48  extending within one of the body members  12  or  14 . In this manner, the extension of projection  40  into receptacle or slot  48  achieves a physical connection between ganged units for added security and strength and therefore also alleviates any mechanical stress that would be placed on the electrical connection between interconnected units.  
         [0024]    The underside of body member  14 , shown in FIG. 3, also includes a peripheral channel  49  which has an open end adjacent projection  40 . The channel  48  is associated with each edge of the body panel  14  as shown and is adapted to accommodate a substantially rectangular battery pack (see attached) therein. The battery pack may be charged from the energy received by solar arrays  16  and  18  with the energy being transferred to the battery pack (see attached) by two connection terminals on the underside of body member  14 .  
         [0025]    The underside of panel  14  also includes a pair of support legs  60  which are hingedly connected to the body for movement outwardly of the body such that they are substantially orthogonal relative to the body member  14  in a use position.  
         [0026]    When not in use, the body members can be moved from an open condition such as that shown in FIG. 2 to a closed position in overlying facing relation and retained in this position by a conventional lock mechanism. The male portion of the lock is denoted by numeral  64  in body member  14  and the female portion  68  is in body member  12  which receives member  64 . A release button  72  is provided to disengage the connected portions  64  and  68 .  
         [0027]    As a protective mechanism, each end  22  and  24 , when similar units are not connected will include protective covers  76  which prevent any debris from entering the contacts.  
         [0028]    Turning to FIG. 5, shown is a further embodiment of the present invention where additional solar arrays  16 ′ and  18 ′ are associated with the overall unit. The auxiliary solar arrays  16 ′ and  18 ′ are preferably hingedly connected by hinges  80  to a respective body panel. When not in use, the auxiliary panel  16 ′ can simply be folded inwardly towards one another such that panel  16  and  16 ′ are in a stacked facing relation as would also be the case with panels  18  and  18 ′. The unit can then be folded into a position shown in FIG. 1. The additional or auxiliary panels  16 ′ and  18 ′ can be incorporated where the voltage requirements to charge a battery are higher or the overall duty cycle of the arrangement is more strenuous.  
         [0029]    With respect to the material of which the unit  10  may be made, the body members  12  and  14  are preferably constructed of non-electro magnetic materials which are also UV stabilized to prevent premature degradation inherent with solar exposure. Suitable materials include high impact polystyrene, composite materials, ceramics, etc.  
         [0030]    With respect to the solar arrays, the individual choice of material will depend upon the voltage requirements of the battery and thus this parameter will be well appreciated by one skilled in the art.  
         [0031]    It will be understood that any number of units can be ganged together.  
         [0032]    Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.