HIGH POWER VERTICAL MODULAR STRUCTURE APPARATUS SUPPORTING SOLAR PANELS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to lamp posts or street lights. In particular, the invention relates to solar powered lamp posts or street lights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Solar powered street lights are known in the art. These include one or more solar panels that are connected to a battery so as to accumulate energy and power one or more lamps. However, known solar powered street lights are typically powered by solar panels with a limited or relatively small surface area that does not permit accumulating and storing sufficient energy to power such lamps for a long time and do not typically provide sufficient power.

[0003] There is therefore a need for a simple yet efficient solar powered apparatus that can be more efficient than known solar powered street lamps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, including: a vertical structure; a plurality of solar panels mounted along a length of the vertical structure; and a battery electrically connected to the solar panels for storing energy collected by the solar panels and powering a load, such as a lamp. The solar panels are mounted modularly onto the vertical structure. The solar panels may be mounted around the vertical structure in a rectangular configuration as seen from above. Alternatively, the solar panels may be mounted in a triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal configurations.

[0005] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a left front perspective view of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

[0008] Figure 3 is a front elevational view thereof. [0009] Figure 4 is a rear elevational view thereof.

[0010] Figure 5 is a right side elevational view thereof.

[0011] Figure 6 is a left side elevational view thereof.

[0012] Figure 7 is a left front perspective view of an apparatus, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 8 is a top plan view thereof.

[0014] Figure 9 is a front elevational view thereof.

[0015] Figure 10 is a rear elevational view thereof.

[0016] Figure 11 is a right side elevational view thereof.

[0017] Figure 12 is a left side elevational view thereof.

[0018] Figure 13 is a perspective front view of a base of an apparatus, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 14 is a perspective rear view of the base shown in Figure 13.

[0020] Figure 15 is a sectional view of the base shown in Figure 14.

[0021] Figure 16 is a sectional view of another base of an apparatus, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 17 is a right front perspective view of a partially assembled form of the apparatus of Figure 1.

[0023] Figure 18 is a right front perspective view of another partially assembled form of the apparatus of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The present invention is illustrated in further details by the following non-limiting examples.

[0025] Referring now to Figures 1 to 6, and in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus 10, will now be described. The apparatus 10 includes a vertical structure 12 and a plurality of solar panels 14 mounted along a length of the vertical structure 12. A battery 16 is electrically connected to the solar panels 14 for storing energy collected by the solar panels 14 and powering a load, such as a lamp (not shown).

[0026] The solar panels 14 are mounted modularly onto the vertical structure 12. In embodiments, by mounting the solar panels modularly, each solar panel can be easily mounted and/or removed. This may allow for individual solar panels to be replaced more easily. This can also allow for easy arranging or rearranging of the solar panels into different configurations (rectangular, triangular, etc.).

[0027] The solar panels 14 may be mounted around the vertical structure 12 in a rectangular configuration as seen from above. In the illustrated example, three solar panels 14 are mounted vertically on each side of the rectangular configuration. Alternatively, the solar panels 14 may be mounted in a triangular configuration as seen from above. The panels may also be assembled in pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal configurations as seen from above. The vertical structure 12 may be mounted onto a rectangular base 18 from which benches 20 may extend perpendicularly on each side thereof. Bases 18 are located at the sides of the benches 20 for providing support. In preferred embodiments, there are two benches 20, as shown in Figures 1-6. In more preferred embodiments, the two benches 20 extend perpendicularly to each other from the base 18, as shown in Figures 1-6. The benches 20 and/or the bases 18 can allow for people to sit thereon.

[0028] The bases 18 and benches 20 can be made of any material known in the art. In preferred embodiments, the benches are made of metal, and the bases are made of cement.

[0029] At the top of the vertical structure 12, there may be installed a link 21 for connecting to a lamp (not shown). By mounting the solar panels on the vertical structure 12, the solar panels are mounted in a generally vertical configuration, meaning the horizontal surfaces of the apparatus are minimized compared to conventional solar powered lamp posts or street lamps.

[0030] In embodiments, the solar panels are mounted such that they form at most about a 15 degree angle with the axis perpendicular to the ground, more preferably at most about a 10 degree angle with the axis perpendicular to the ground, even more preferably at most about a 5 degree angle with the axis perpendicular to the ground, and most preferably a 0 degree angle with the axis perpendicular to the ground (i.e. the solar panels are exactly perpendicular to the ground).

[0031] Each modular solar panel 14 may be 72” in length and provide up to 400 Watts. Therefore, a set of four solar panels 14 installed in the rectangular configuration of the vertical structure 12 can provide up to 1600 Watts. The energy collected by the solar panels 14 may be used for powering different types of loads, such as lamps or any other electric powered device. [0032] Referring now to Figures 7 to 12, in addition to Figures 1 to 6, there is shown an apparatus 10’, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 10’ includes the vertical structure 12 and the plurality of solar panels 14 mounted along the length of the vertical structure 12 as in the above example. A battery (not shown) is electrically connected to the solar panels 14 for storing energy collected by the solar panels 14 and powering a load, such as a lamp (not shown). Similarly, as described above, the solar panels 14 are mounted modularly onto the vertical structure 12. The solar panels 14 may be mounted around the vertical structure 12 in a rectangular configuration as seen from above. The vertical structure 12 may be mounted onto a cylindrical or frustoconical base 18’ from which a cylindrical bench 20’ extends all around the base 18’. The base 18’ may be alternatively shaped as a frustum or may have other shapes.

[0033] Referring now to Figures 13 to 16, in addition to Figures 1 to 6, there is shown the bases 18 with internal channels 22 for accommodating electrical components, such as electrical cables or wires, which are connected to loads, such as lamps (not shown), to the solar panels 14, and to the battery 16. Specifically, Figures 13-15 show the bases located at the sides of the benches 20 for providing support (as shown in Figure 1), while Figure 16 shows the base onto which the vertical structure 12 is mounted (as also shown in Figure 1).

[0034] The internal channels can be configured and dimensioned in a variety of ways so as to accommodate different combinations and arrangements of electrical components (depending on the wants and needs of the user), as would be understood by the person of skill in the art.

[0035] In preferred embodiments, the base 18 and the internal channels 22 are as shown in Figures 13 to 16. Specifically, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the bases 18 located at the sides of the benches 20 can comprise three internal channels 22, wherein one internal channel (preferably the middle internal channel 22) leads from a side surface of the base 18 to an internal compartment located in the base 18, the internal compartment being configured to house the battery 16. All three internal channels 22 can be used to mount support structures 24 (preferably metal tubing) onto which the benches 20 can be securely mounted (preferably modularly mounted), as shown in Figures 17 and 18. This allows for the ends of the benches 20 to be more easily secured to their corresponding base 18.

[0036] In alternative embodiments, the bases 18 located at the sides of the benches 20 may only comprise the internal channel 22 leading from the side surface of the base 18 to the internal compartment located in the base 18. In such a configuration, while said internal channel 22 can be used to mount support structures (preferably metal tubing) onto which the benches 20 can be securely mounted, additional support structures can be mounted onto the base 18 using other means (for example, said support structures can be integrated into the base 18).

[0037] In embodiments, with respect to the base 18 onto which the vertical structure 12 is mounted (said base 18 shown in Figure 16), said base 18 can comprise the internal channels 22 described above on side walls thereof (similar to those shown on the base 18 shown in Figures 13 to 15). In preferred embodiments, two adjacent sidewalls of said base 18 each comprise three internal channels 22, with one internal channel (preferably the middle internal channel 22) of each sidewall leading to an internal compartment located in the base 18, the internal compartment being configured to house the battery 16. Moreover, said base 18 can further comprise an additional internal channel leading from said internal compartment to a top surface of the base 18.

[0038] For clarity, in embodiments, with respect to the base 18 onto which the vertical structure 12 is mounted (said base 18 shown in Figure 16), the top surface thereof can comprise the internal channel leading to said internal compartment, and two adjacent side surfaces thereof (the sides from which extend the benches 20 shown in Figure 1) can each comprise three internal channels 22, wherein one internal channel 22 on each side surface (preferably the middle internal channel 22) extends to said internal compartment. A tubular structure 26, preferably a metal tube, can be connected to the internal channel located at the top surface of the base 18, as shown in Figure 17. The vertical structure 12 can then be mounted on the tubular structure 26. With such a configuration (and as seen for example in Figure 17), support structures 24 (preferably metal tubing) can be used to connect each of the bases 18 located at the sides of the benches 20 to the base 18 onto which the vertical structure 12 is mounted. This means the support structure 24 (such as metal tubing) can be used to connect each of the three internal channels 22 on each base 18 located at the sides of the benches 20 to a corresponding internal channel 22 located on a side surface of the base 18 onto which the vertical structure 12 is mounted, as shown in Figure 17.

[0039] By structuring the bases 18 and the internal channels 22 in this manner, it allows the electrical cables or wires to easily reach the internal compartment and connect to the battery 16 of each of the bases 18. In the embodiment of the apparatus 10 shown in Figure 1 (with the bases 18 shown in Figures 13-16), each of the three bases 18 can comprise a battery 16. With respect to the base 18 onto which the vertical structure 12 is mounted (said base 18 also shown in Figure 16), electrical cables or wires can be used to connect the solar panels 14 and/or the load of the apparatus 10 to the battery 16 through the internal channel leading from the internal compartment to the top surface of the base 18 and through the tubular structure 26 (the solar panels 14 being used to charge the battery 16, and the battery 16 being used to power the load).

[0040] With respect to the bases 18 located at the sides of the benches 20 (said bases 18 shown in Figures 13-15), electrical cables or wires can be used to connect the solar panels 14 and/or the load of the apparatus 10 to each base’s corresponding battery 16 through the middle internal channel 22 leading from the side surface of the base 18 to the internal compartment. In such a configuration, the electrical cables or wires can then be fed across the benches 20 (through the metal tubing 24 onto which the benches 20 are mounted, for example), then through the internal channel leading from the side surface to the internal compartment of the base 18 shown in Figure 16 onto which the vertical structure 12 is mounted, then through the internal channel leading from the internal compartment to the top surface of the base 18 shown in Figure 16, and then through the tubular structure 26 shown in Figure 17, where the electrical cables or wires can be connected to the solar panels 14 and/or the load of the apparatus 10. If metal tubing (or another hollow structure) is used as the support structure 24 (as shown in Figures 17 and 18), said support structure can house the electrical cables or wires extending from one base 18 to another.

[0041] In preferred embodiments, the internal compartment of each base comprises a door that allows for easy access to the battery configured to be housed therein.

[0042] Compared to conventional solar powered lamp posts or street lights, the apparatus according to the present invention has the advantage of increasing the power collected from the sun because the total surface area of the plurality of the modular solar panels 14 is much larger. Typical conventional solar powered lamp posts or street lights may be able to deliver a maximum power of about 400 Watts. In contrast, the present apparatus may use four modular solar panels 14 on each side of the rectangular vertical structure 12 so as to provide a high power of about 1600 Watts.

[0043] The design of the apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention also has the advantage of resisting high winds and avoiding accumulations of snow and/or ice thereon because of its shape. Indeed, the horizontal surfaces of the apparatus are minimized compared to conventional solar powered lamp posts or street lamps. The smaller horizontal surfaces reduce accumulations of snow and/or ice, which could damage conventional solar powered street lights because of the weight of such snow and/or ice.

[0044] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.