Abstract:
A nonrotating adjustable solar panel for optimizing cell charging of a portable message sign, comprising a movable frame, a message sign, a solar panel, a support post attached to the underside of the solar panel by a universal joint, and a mechanism for adjusting the angle and position of the solar panel comprising a pair of outwardly extending arms, a pair of threaded support rods, each rod extending through an aperture in the arm, and a handle for turning the rod. Each rod is coupled to the underside of the solar panel by a ball or universal joint. As each rod is turned, it raises or lowers a portion of the solar panel, providing tilting and pivoting, but not rotating motion for adjustment of the solar panel angle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 09/981,139, filed Oct. 16, 2001, entitled NONROTATING SOLAR PANEL, and commonly assigned to the assignee of the present application, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to solar panels with adjustable supports, and more particularly, to solar panels for electrically powered devices such as portable signage and which incorporate adjustable mounting supports for optimally orienting the solar panel relative to the sun.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Portable signs are used in a variety of applications such as roadside traffic control and message signs and commercial advertising. Such roadside traffic signs are commonly used to identify and designate vehicle lanes and entry and exit ramps, to provide other traffic control information, and to alert drivers of traffic conditions, construction sites, and other important road conditions.  
           [0004]    Roadside signs are commonly mounted on a trailer frame that allows the sign to be towed by a vehicle to different locations. To provide sufficient sign illumination at night and during low sunlight daytime periods, portable roadside signs commonly have a portable rechargeable battery and a generator or a solar panel for recharging the battery during daylight. The solar panels typically comprise an array of operatively connected photovoltaic cells that produce a voltage and transmit an electrical current to the battery and/or sign for operation thereof.  
           [0005]    In order for the solar panel to receive as much solar energy as possible for conversion into electricity, it is desirable to mount the solar panel on an adjustable support apparatus that allows for variably orienting the solar panel relative to the general position of the sun. For example, when a portable sign is moved to a new location in the Northern hemisphere, the solar panel should be adjusted to face a Southerly direction while allowing the sign to face the desired target audience.  
           [0006]    It is often necessary or desirable to relocate such signs after some time; therefore, portability is an important feature of any sign designed for roadway use. Additionally, it is often necessary or desirable to operate such signs at night and during low sunlight daytime periods, therefore, illumination and a portable power supply are also important features of any roadside sign.  
           [0007]    Many existing devices generally provide for tilting and rotation of the panel. Tilting of the panel is generally provided by a pivotal connection at the bottom of the panel and a drive mechanism of some sort, with the panel bottom either directly hinged to a base of some sort or hingedly connected to a rigid non-extendable linkage. Several of these devices also provide for rotation of the panel, however, such rotation is independently provided by separately rotating the support apparatus (such as a pole or plate) for the entire panel, thereby requiring an additional drive mechanism to accomplish rotation in addition to tilting.  
           [0008]    It would be desirable to have a tilting nonrotating adjustable solar panel which can be used for electrically powering devices such as portable signage, and that has adjustable mounting supports for optimally orienting the solar panel at any angle relative to the sun by simple, reliable, cost-effective means.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention provides a solar panel and an apparatus for tilting nonrotational movement of the panel to permit positioning to optimize absorption of solar energy and charging of the batteries. In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a tiltable nonrotating panel assembly comprising a panel; a support mast associated with the panel and the base, the support mast having an upper end terminating in a coupling, the coupling being mounted to the panel; and, a pivoting assembly for pivoting the panel with respect to the support mast. The pivoting assembly comprises at least two arms extending radially outward from the support mast and at an angle with respect to each other, each arm having an aperture defined at one end distal to the support mast, each arm having a rod having an upper end and a lower end and extending through the aperture and having a means associated with the rod for axially turning the rod. The present invention can also be part of a conventional portable message display apparatus which additionally comprises a base and a message sign. As each rod is turned, it raises or lowers a portion of the solar panel, providing tilting and pivoting, but not rotating motion for adjustment of the solar panel angle.  
           [0010]    A second embodiment of the present invention provides a tiltable nonrotatable panel apparatus having a central post and at least two side posts. This embodiment comprises a panel; a base; a height adjustable first post having an upper first end, a lower second end, and means for adjusting the height of the first post. The first post first end is movably associated with the panel and the first post second end is movably associated with the base. This embodiment also comprises a height adjustable second post having an upper first end, a lower second end, and means for adjusting the height of the second post, the second post first end being movably associated with the panel and the second post second end being movably associated with the base; and, a height adjustable third post having an upper first end, a lower second end, and means for adjusting the height of the third post, the third post first end being movably associated with the panel and the third post second end being fixedly associated with the base.  
           [0011]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention are discussed or apparent in the following detailed description of the invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The various features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the attached drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures, and in which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the solar panel and adjustable support apparatus of FIG. 1;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 3A and 3B are detail views of the adjustable mast lower coupling of FIG. 2; and,  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    In general the present invention provides an apparatus for raising, lowering, tilting and pivoting an object. The object in a broad aspect can be any object capable of being mounted on a support or rod. Preferably, the object is a conventional solar panel, but, can alternatively be a mirror or other light reflecting surface, artwork, energy transmitter and/or receiver, sound transmission device, light transmission device (e.g., a single or array of lamps or lasers), heat reflector or transmitter, or the like. For the purposes of the present disclosure, a solar panel will be discussed as a preferred, but nonlimiting, example.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus  5  of the present invention. For illustration purposes only, an adjustable solar panel assembly  10  is described herein in conjunction with a conventional mobile message display sign  12 . An example of such a unit is model number CMS-T321, available from American Signal Company, Atlanta, Georgia (www.amsig.com). It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the apparatus  10  can be mounted to and used to provide power to any appropriate electrically powered device, mobile or fixed, as may be desired in a given application.  
         [0019]    The sign  12  may comprise a wheeled transport frame  14 , a sign panel  16  mounted to the wheeled frame  14 , and a chargeable battery  18  mounted to the frame  14  or the sign panel  16  and electrically connected to the sign panel  16 . The sign panel  16  may have electrically powered features such as illumination, movement, power management controls, adjustable supports for a solar panel, and the like. Also, the sign  12  may be mounted to the frame  14  by a sign mast  20  having first  22  and second  24  telescopic sign mast members for raising and lowering the sign panel  16 .  
         [0020]    The adjustable solar panel assembly  10  comprises a solar panel  26  and an angularly adjustable support assembly  28 . The solar panel  26  can be of a conventional type known by those skilled in the art. The solar panel  26  is electrically connected to the battery and/or to the sign panel  16  to permit converting solar energy into electricity for charging the battery and powering the sign panel  16 . It will be understood by those skilled in the art that mirrors, lenses, sun shades, and other structures may be advantageously utilized in conjunction with the support apparatus  28 .  
         [0021]    The adjustable support apparatus  28  generally provides three points defining a plane (i.e., the solar panel  26 ), with the three points being pivotable to allow for adjusting the plane at any of a number of angles or positions relative to the sun without the need for rotating the plane. The adjustable support apparatus  28  comprises a main mast  30  mounted to the sign panel  16  or to the frame  14  by one or more brackets, by welding, or by other mechanical connections known in the art for preventing rotation of the main mast  30  relative to the sign panel  16  and frame  14 . The main mast  30  can have a circular, rectangular, or other regular or irregular cross-sectional shape.  
         [0022]    The main mast  30  preferably has first  32  main mast member and a second  34  main mast member for raising and lowering the solar panel  26  sufficiently so that the solar panel  10  can be angled without being contacted and prevented from moving by the sign panel  16 , and lowered sufficiently so that the trailer frame  14  is stable when in transport and the solar panel  26  does not hit bridges, trees, and other potential obstructions.  
         [0023]    The first  32  and second  34  main mast members can be arranged telescopically or in another configuration known in the art for permitting raising and lowering of the solar panel  26 . The main mast  30  may be provided with a conventional crank assembly  36  such as jackscrew or the like for manually cranking the solar panel  26  up and down. Alternatively, the main mast  30  may be provided by a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric cylinder, or another mechanism known to those skilled in the art, with conventional controls for vertically adjusting the height of the solar panel  26 .  
         [0024]    Referring now to FIG. 2, the main mast  30  has an upper portion  38  that is attached to the solar panel  26  by a coupling  40 . The coupling  40  is preferably attached to the solar panel  26  at about the center of gravity of the solar panel  26  providing balance and stability. The coupling  40  comprises a universal joint, a gimbaled mechanism, or other coupling mechanism known to those skilled in the art for permitting movement about two axes but not permitting rotation or translation.  
         [0025]    The adjustable support apparatus  28  further comprises at least two arms  42  and at least two adjusting masts  44 . In one embodiment two arms  42  and two adjusting masts  44  are used. The arms  42  and adjusting masts  44  cooperate to permit vertically adjusting the solar panel  26  at two points. Each arm  42  extends from the main mast  30  at a position below the upper end  38  thereof. Each arm  42  can be provided by a plate, a channel member, a bar, a rod, or another structure known in the art. The arms  42 , adjusting masts  44 , and main mast  30  can be made of a metal, plastic, composite, or other generally rigid durable material known in the art.  
         [0026]    Each adjusting mast  44  has an upper end  46  attached to the solar panel  26  by an upper coupling  48  such as a ball joint or another coupling permitting free swivel and free rotary motion of the adjusting mast  44 . Preferably, the adjusting masts  44  and main mast  30  are attached to the solar panel  26  in a  90  degree configuration, and the arms  42  are attached to the main mast  30  in a  90  degree configuration, with the each adjusting mast  44  aligned with and intersecting one of the arms  42 . Alternatively, the mast  44  can be associated directly with the solar panel  26 . The mast  44  is preferably, though not mandatorily, able to undergo at least some degree of flexion.  
         [0027]    Each adjusting mast  44  may be provided by a threaded rod  50  extending through a threaded aperture  52  in each arm  42  for permitting vertical adjustment of each adjustable mast  44 . A lower coupling  54  (not shown), such as, but not limited to, a nut mounted in a gimbaled mechanism, is provided for connecting the rod  50  to the arm  42 . The lower coupling  54  permits a swivel movement of the rod  50  relative to the arm  42 , and allows turning of the rod  50  to enable the mated threads to permit the rod  50  to be raised or lowered (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). A spherical shaped nut in a mating socket with an anti-rotation pin which will allow pivoting in any direction without rotation. Also, each rod  50  can be provided with a handle  56  attached thereto for manually cranking each rod  50  up and down through the aperture  52 . Alternatively, other configurations or mechanisms for turning the rod  50  can be used, such as, but not limited to, a wingnut, thumbscrew, gear and crank mechanism, nut, combinations of the foregoing, or the like.  
         [0028]    Alternatively, the adjustable masts  44  may be provided by a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric cylinder, or another mechanism known in the art, with conventional controls for adjusting the height of the solar panel  26 . In this case, the lower couplings  52  can be provided by ball nuts or other couplings permitting free swivel and rotary movement. There may also be provided conventional light sensors (not shown) such as photoelectric cells and conventional controls (not shown) for operating the cylinders to cause the solar panel  26  to track the sun as it moves across the sky.  
         [0029]    When the support apparatus  28  is vertically adjusted, the main mast  30  might be urged to rotate and/or translate. Because the main mast  30  is attached to the sign panel  16  or the frame  14  by a non-rotary connection and attached to the solar panel  26  by coupling  40  that permits movement about two axes but not rotation or translation, and, because the adjusting mast upper couplings  48  permit free swivel and free rotary movement, the solar panel is secured from rotating or translating relative to the sign panel  16  and the frame  14 . Thus, the adjusting masts  44  can be vertically extended or retracted to adjust the solar panel  26  to any angle without rotating the main mast  30 . It will be understood that for applications where all that is desired is tilting the solar panel  26  about one axis, a single arm  42  and adjusting mast  44  can be used. By judiciously locating the arm, the solar panel can be tilted in any direction.  
         [0030]    In operation, the mobile sign  12  is transported to a desired location and the sign mast  20  is adjusted to position the sign panel  12  at the desired height and facing the desired direction. The main mast  30  is then adjusted to raise the solar panel  26  to the desired height. The adjusting masts  44  can be quickly and easily operated to orient the solar panel  26  in a direction selected for maximum solar exposure throughout the day. At such time as it is desired to relocate then mobile sign  12 , the sign mast  20  is adjusted to lower the sign panel  12  and the main mast  30  is adjusted to lower the solar panel  26  for transport of the mobile sign to another location.  
         [0031]    Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the solar panel assembly of the present invention, generally referred to as  100 . The second embodiment includes comprises a solar panel  102  with an adjustable support apparatus  104 .  
         [0032]    The support apparatus  104  comprises at least three adjusting masts  106  each attached to the solar panel  102 . The adjusting masts  106  can be telescopic, nut and threaded rod, rack and pinion or have another configuration known to those skilled in the art for permitting raising and lowering of the, solar panel  102 . Thus, the adjusting masts  106  can be provided by a conventional crank assembly such as jackscrew or the like for manually cranking the solar panel  26  up and down. Alternatively, the adjusting masts  106  can be provided by hydraulic, pneumatic, electric or other powered cylinders with conventional controls for vertically adjusting the height of the solar panel  26 .  
         [0033]    Each adjustable mast  106  is attached to the solar panel  102  by a coupling  108 . Each coupling  108  can be a universal joint, a gimbaled mechanism, a ball joint, or other coupling mechanism known to those skilled in the art for permitting movement about two axes, but not permitting rotation or translation. Preferably, two of the adjusting masts  106  are attached to the solar panel at adjacent corners of the solar panel  102  and the third adjusting mast  106  at about the midpoint along the opposing side of the solar panel  102 , thereby forming the points of an isosceles or other shaped triangle.  
         [0034]    The adjusting masts  106  are attached to a plate  110 . Two of the adjusting masts  106  are attached to the plate  110  by a lower coupling  114  such as a ball joint or another coupling permitting a free swiveling movement. The third adjusting mast  106  is fixedly attached to the plate  110  for permitting no movement.  
         [0035]    The plate  110  may be defined by the top and/or sides of a sign panel  16  similar to that provided by the first embodiment, or the plate  110  may be a separate structure attached to the top and/or sides of such a sign panel. Alternatively, the plate  110  can be attached to a main mast or attached to a trailer frame  14 .  
         [0036]    Accordingly, there are a number of advantages provided by the present invention. The invention generally provides three pivot points defining a plane on the surface of a solar panel or the like, thus providing the capability for adjusting the plane at any angle relative to the sun without the need for rotating the plane.  
         [0037]    Additionally, the invention provides a support apparatus having a main mast  30  attached to the solar panel  26  so as to be restricted from rotation or translation and at least two vertically adjustable masts  44  attached to the solar panel  26  so as to be that permit free swivel and rotation, thus providing the capability of vertically extending or retracting the adjusting masts  44  to adjust the solar panel  26  to any angle without rotating the main mast  30 .  
         [0038]    Furthermore, there is provided a support apparatus having three vertically adjustable masts  106  pivotally connected to the solar panel  102  so as to prevent rotation or translation of the solar panel  102 , thus providing the capability of vertically extending or retracting the adjusting masts  106  to adjust the solar panel  102  to any angle without rotating the solar panel  102 .  
         [0039]    It will be understood that the terms “a” and “an” as used herein are not intended to mean only “one,” but may also mean a number greater than “one.” All patents, applications and publications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. While the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.