Patent Publication Number: US-2005126615-A1

Title: Solar screen articles and methods thereof

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to articles incorporating thermal insulation materials, and more specifically, to solar screen articles and methods thereof.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      In the past, solar screen materials have been used as thermal insulation materials in solar screen applications. For example, essentially rectangular shaped frames with screen material inserted into them were used for shading and as insect and dust barriers. Thermal solar screens were generally installed on the outside of windows or any other suitable opening in a building, such as a patio.  
      Current thermal solar screens are a great benefit to buildings because they greatly reduce the amount of heat and glare when installed on the outside of windows, thereby improving energy conservation. Thermal solar screens also provide more privacy inside a building, while allowing full visibility through windows. Thermal solar screens do not inhibit natural ventilation and are effective insulating barriers year round.  
      Solar screen materials typically comprise woven fiberglass available in various weave patterns and tightness of weave. The weave pattern and tightness of the weave account for the degree to which solar screen materials are able to act as insulators. Solar screen materials are also available in a variety of colors.  
      Typically, solar screen materials have not been used for making articles other than those discussed above. Instead, Simon, U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,444 disclosed a typical shielding material for a golf cart application using a woven vinyl-covered fabric made of polyester. Similarly, Randall, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,462 disclosed a typical shielding material for an extensible and retractable canopy structure for vehicles using a woven vinyl-covered fabric made of polyester. More recently, Teahan, U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,017 and Carter, U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,175 both disclosed a shielding material for shading air conditioning units using a plurality of solar screen materials. However, none of these disclosures have suggested any further applications where solar screen materials may be used.  
      For the foregoing reasons, there is a need to provide novel articles that make use of solar screen materials and methods thereof.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide improved articles having thermal insulation properties that use solar screen materials.  
      It is a still further object of this invention to provide improved articles having substantially one-way visibility that use solar screen materials.  
      It is a still further object of this invention to provide methods for using solar screen materials for assembling improved articles having thermal insulation and one-way visibility.  
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a solar screen article comprises, in combination a solar screen material coupled to a frame assembly, the solar screen article selected from the group consisting of an umbrella cover, a swamp cooler cover, a fluid container cover, a shelter cover, a compartment, a pane protector, a convertible top, a sun visor and a hat, the solar screen material providing at least thermal insulation, UV protection and one-way visibility for a user of the solar screen article.  
      In accordance with a second embodiment of this invention, a method for assembling a solar screen article comprises the steps of providing a solar screen material, the solar screen article selected from the group consisting of an umbrella cover, a swamp cooler cover, a fluid container cover, a shelter cover, a compartment, a pane protector, a convertible top, a sun visor and a hat; and coupling the solar screen material to a frame assembly, the solar screen material achieving at least thermal insulation, UV protection and one-way visibility for a user of the solar screen article.  
      The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an umbrella having an umbrella cover comprising a solar screen material and showing an elevation view of a portion of the solar screen material according to this disclosure;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a swamp cooler having a swamp cooler cover substantially comprising the solar screen material of  FIG. 1 , in which the swamp cooler cover is spaced at a distance from the surface of the swamp cooler;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a fluid container having a fluid container cover substantially comprising the solar screen material of  FIG. 1 , in which the fluid container cover is spaced from the surface of the fluid container;  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a shelter cover of a shelter substantially comprising the solar screen material of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a baby stroller showing a compartment for a baby substantially comprising the solar screen material of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a baby trailer towed by a bicycle and showing a compartment for a baby substantially comprising the solar screen material of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pane protector comprising a combination of a portion of a pane and the solar screen material of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second example of the pane protector of  FIG. 7  comprising a combination of the solar screen material of  FIG. 1  located between portions of a pair of panes;  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a vehicle having a convertible top substantially comprising the solar screen material of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a person wearing a sun visor substantially comprising the solar screen material of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a person wearing a hat comprising the solar screen material of  FIG. 1 ; and  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a second example of a person wearing a hat comprising the solar screen material of  FIG. 1 .  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      In this disclosure, a solar screen material  12  (see  FIGS. 1-12 ) refers to a woven fiberglass fabric. An example of the solar screen material  12  is PHIFER SUPER SOLAR SCREENING, manufactured by Phifer Wire Products, Inc., AL, U.S.A. PHIFER SUPER SOLAR SCREENING blocks up to 90% of the sun&#39;s heat. It is to be understood that PHIFER SUNTEX® and PHIFER SUNSCREEN® also manufactured by Phifer Wire Products, Inc., AL, U.S.A. may also be used interchangeably with PHIFER SUPER SOLAR SCREENING. PHIFER SUNTEX® blocks up to 80% of the sun&#39;s heat, while PHIFER SUNSCREEN® blocks up to 70% of the sun&#39;s heat. PHIFER SUNTEX® is more preferred than PHIFER SUNSCREEN® and PHIFER SUPER SOLAR SCREENING is the most preferred solar screen material  12 . It is to be understood that the most preferred solar screen material  12  blocks about 90% of the sun&#39;s heat and is substantially an insulator.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , an umbrella cover  10  comprises the solar screen material  12  coupled to a frame assembly  16 . The frame assembly  16  is coupled to a handle  14 , so that a combination of the umbrella cover  10 , the frame assembly  16  and the handle  14  are configured to provide an umbrella. The umbrella is hand held and provides protection from development of skin cancer by blocking UV sunrays. Additionally, the umbrella is beneficial to elderly people who may be adversely affected by the heat of direct sunlight.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , a swamp cooler cover  20  substantially encloses a swamp cooler  22 . The swamp cooler cover  20  comprises the solar screen material  12 . A portion of a surface of the swamp cooler cover  20  is separated from a portion of a surface of the swamp cooler  22  by a plurality of spacers  18  so that the surface of the swamp cooler  22  is insulated from thermal effects resulting in an exterior portion of the swamp cooler  22  remaining cooler compared to the ambient air temperature. The swamp cooler cover  20  may also have drawstrings (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) at the base of the swamp cooler cover  20  so as to fit various sizes of swamp coolers  22 . The swamp cooler cover  20  ensures more efficient performance of the swamp cooler  22  and may provide a 40° F. temperature difference between the surface of the swamp cooler  22  and the ambient temperature at an outer surface of the swamp cooler cover  20 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , a fluid container cover  30  substantially encloses a fluid container  24 . The fluid container cover  30  comprises the solar screen material  12 . A portion of a surface of the fluid container cover  30  is separated from a portion of a surface of the fluid container  24  by a plurality of spacers  18  so that the surface of the fluid container  24  is insulated from thermal effects to keep the contents of the fluid container  24  cooler compared to elevated ambient temperatures. It is understood that the fluid container cover  30  may also have drawstrings (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) so as to fit various sizes of fluid containers  24 . A specific kind of fluid container cover is a canteen cover for a canteen. The fluid container cover  30  is of particular value for use by the military, hunters and backpackers. The fluid container cover  30  may have camouflage colorations.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 a  shelter cover  40  for a shelter substantially comprises the solar screen material  12 , coupled to a frame assembly (not shown) and the solar screen material  12  and the frame assembly are coupled to a plurality of ropes coupled to a plurality of stakes embedded in a ground support. The shelter cover  40  also has a plurality of openings configured for a plurality of windows and at least a door of the shelter. The shelter cover  40  protects any occupants in the shelter from extremes of weather because of the insulating properties of the super solar material  12 . For example, in hot weather, the occupants of the shelter will remain cooler, whilst in cooler weather the occupants of the shelter will remain warmer. The shelter cover  40  may have camouflage colorations, making the shelter particularly suitable for military use. Outdoorsman and scout organizations may also make use of the properties of the shelter cover  40 . Occupants of the shelter are able to look out of the shelter without being observed by others outside of the shelter. It is understood that suitable colors for military applications of the shelter cover  40  include desert sand and green, although other suitable colors providing additional camouflage may be used. A particularly useful variety of shelter is a tent using the solar screen material  12 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 , a baby stroller  50  comprises a compartment  26  for confining a baby in the compartment  26 . The baby stroller  50  further comprises a frame assembly (not shown) coupled to the compartment  26  having a plurality of wheels  28  and a handle assembly  32  for pushing the baby stroller  50 . The compartment substantially comprises the solar screen material  12  and a plurality of window panes  34 . The plurality of window panes  34  permit an adult to observe the baby in the compartment  26  of the baby stroller  50 . The plurality of window panes  34  may be made of any suitable material that is at least translucent. Examples of suitable materials for the plurality of window panes  34  include loosely woven plastics such as polyester and nylon, as well as natural fibers such as cotton and wool. The compartment  26  made from the solar screen material  12  provides UV protection, thermal protection and privacy for the baby as described above in other applications of the solar screen material  12 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , a baby trailer  60  comprises a compartment  26  for confining a baby in the compartment  26 . A frame assembly  36  having at least a pair of wheels  28  supports the compartment  26  (only one of the wheels  28  is shown in  FIG. 6 ). The frame assembly  36  is selectively coupled to a portion of a bicycle  38  (only a portion of the bicycle  36  is shown in  FIG. 6 ) configured so that the portion of the bicycle  38  tows the baby trailer  60 . The compartment substantially comprises the solar screen material  12  and a plurality of window panes  34 . The plurality of window panes  34  permit an adult to observe the baby in the compartment  26  of the baby trailer  60 . The remaining description of the compartment  26  of the baby trailer  60  is similar to the description for the baby stroller  50  above. It is understood that any slow moving vehicle may replace the bicycle  36  for towing the baby trailer  60 . An example of a slow moving vehicle is a scooter.  
      Referring to  FIG. 7 , a portion of a pane protector  70  comprises a portion of a pane  42  and the solar screen material  12 . Typically, the pane  42  is a portion of a sunroof top of a vehicle, such as a car and a truck. The pane  42  is generally located on the outside of the vehicle and the solar screen material  12  is located on the inside of the vehicle. The solar screen material  12  may be coupled directly to the pane  42 . Alternatively, the solar screen material  12  may be mounted proximate to the pane  42  using a frame assembly (not shown). The solar screen material  12  provides the benefits discussed above, viz. thermal insulation, UV protection and one-way visibility.  
       FIG. 8  is a second example of a portion of a pane protector  80  comprising a portion of the solar screen material  12  located between portions of a pair of panes  42 . A surface of the solar screen material  12  is coupled to a surface of one of the pair of panes  42  and an opposite surface of the solar screen material  12  is coupled to a surface of another one of the pair of panes  42 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 8 , an outer portion of one of the panes  42  located on the outside of the vehicle and an outer portion of one of the panes  42  located on the inside of the vehicle may be cleaned when necessary. A particularly suitable vehicle using the pane protector  80  is a limousine. It is understood that the pane protector  80  may be used as a replacement of any window in a vehicle. Additionally, it is to be understood that the pane protector  80  as described above would be suitable for use in other applications such as window glass in housing. It is further understood that the panes  42  may be substantially transparent materials such as glass, plastics, including acrylics and polycarbonates, and combinations of glass and plastics.  
      Referring to  FIG. 9 , a convertible top  90  for a vehicle comprises the solar screen material  12  coupled to a frame assembly  44  (partially shown in  FIG. 9 ). It is understood that the convertible top  90  may be shaped differently using different frame assemblies according to the type of vehicle to which the convertible top  90  is coupled. Apart from the advantages described above, the convertible top  90  comprising the solar screen material  12  provides the safety benefit of complete visibility through the solar screen material  12 , so that there are no blind spots for a driver. UV protection using the solar screen material  12  also prevents fading and premature cracking where the seating of a vehicle comprises fabrics such as leather and vinyl.  
      Referring to  FIG. 10 , a sun visor  100  comprises the solar screen material  12 . The sun visor  100  protects a wearer&#39;s eyes from the glare of the sun and acts as a thermal insulator for a wearer&#39;s face around the eye area.  
      Referring to  FIG. 11 , a hat  110  having a wide brim, comprises the solar screen material  12 .  FIG. 12  is another example of the hat  110  having a conical shape. In both versions of the hat  110 , a wearer is protected from heat exposure in hot weather and is protected from thermal losses in cooler weather because of the insulating property of the solar screen material  12 . The hat  110  is particularly useful for strollers, gardeners, field-workers and construction workers who spend many hours outdoors.  
      Methods for assembling solar screen articles as described above typically use the solar screen material  12  coupled to a frame assembly. Spacers between portions of an article to be covered with the solar screen material may be used to provide improved insulation. The economics of assembling the solar screen articles is not compromised. The benefits of using the solar screen material  12  as described above also add to the economics of assembling the solar screen.  
      In summary, solar screen articles substantially comprising solar screen material provide thermal insulation, UV protection and one-way visibility. Solar screen articles include umbrella covers, swamp cooler covers, fluid container covers, shelters, baby strollers, baby trailers, glass pane protectors, convertible tops, sun visors and hats. Typically the solar screen material is coupled to a frame assembly to assemble the solar screen articles. Spacers between portions of an article to be covered with the solar screen material may be used to provide improved insulation.  
      While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the solar screen articles can be altered in various ways within the basic concept of this invention. In particular, it is possible to use more than a single layer of the solar screen material. Where appropriate, the solar screen material may have a larger weave size to provide greater visibility through the solar screen material. Although particular examples of solar screen articles have been described, it is understood that up-sizing some of these articles are encompassed by this disclosure. For example, the canteen cover may also be a water bottle cover for a five-gallon water bottle, or a cover for a NATO can. Similarly, the baby trailer may be up-sized to a full-size trailer for use by adults and to be towed by a vehicle.