IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,601,752
Granted Patent B2
US 8,601,752 · App. 13/248,608 · Granted Dec 10, 2013

Adjustable solar panel cap

Inventor: James L. Prentice (North Hills, CA)
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,601,752
App. No.
13/248,608
Granted
Dec 10, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A solar panel cap and light cap can be secured to a wall or parapet through the use of a common bracket. The bracket includes two vertical extensions on either side of a locking channel. The locking channel is configured to permanently receive a matching end, such that the matching end cannot come out of the locking channel once installed. Both the solar panel cap and light cap include the matching end. The solar panel caps and light caps are configured to connect to an adjacent cap such that they are electrically coupled. Either the solar panel caps or light caps can include a rechargeable battery such that energy stored during daylight hours can be used during the night.

Claims (26)

1. An adjustable solar panel cap for attachment to a parapet or wall, comprising:

a mounting bracket comprising a solar panel section having first and second side edges, a fixed mount pivotally connected to the first side edge, and a slidable mount pivotably connected to the second side edge, wherein the fixed mount and slidable mount are generally planar and configured so as to be effectively permanently attached to an upper end of the parapet or wall, and wherein the fixed mount is disposed flush against a first side of the parapet or wall, and the slidable mount is disposed flush against a second side of the parapet or wall; and

a solar panel fixed to the solar panel section of the mounting bracket.

2. The solar panel cap of claim 1 , wherein the solar panel section is adjustably positionable relative to the upper end of the parapet or wall.

3. The solar panel cap of claim 1 , wherein the solar panel section includes a locking channel for slidably receiving and retaining at least a portion of the solar panel therein.

4. The solar panel cap of claim 1 , wherein the solar panel comprises a plurality of solar panels.

5. The solar panel cap of claim 4 , wherein adjacent solar panels are electrically connected together.

6. The solar panel cap of claim 1 , including one or more electrically powered devices electrically connected to the solar panel.

7. The solar panel cap of claim 6 , wherein the electrically powered devices comprise a streetlight, a building light, a battery or an outdoor electrical device.

8. The solar panel cap of claim 7 , wherein the electrically powered devices comprise at least one light cap attachable to the upper end of the parapet or wall.

9. The solar panel cap of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a horizontal support connected to the fixed mount and configured to be positioned over the upper end of the parapet or wall.

10. The solar panel cap of claim 1 , including pivot hinges for pivotally connecting the solar panel section to the fixed mount and the slidable mount.

11. An adjustable solar panel cap for attachment to a parapet or wall, comprising:

a mounting bracket comprising a solar panel section having first and second side edges, a fixed mount connected by a first pivot hinge to the first side edge, and a slidable mount connected by a second pivot hinge to the second side edge, wherein the fixed mount and slidable mount are generally planar and configured so as to be effectively permanently attached to an upper end of the parapet or wall, and wherein the fixed mount is disposed flush against a first side of the parapet or wall, and the slidable mount is disposed flush against a second side of the parapet or wall;

a solar panel fixed to the solar panel section of the mounting bracket; and

one or more electrically powered devices electrically connected to the solar panel.

12. The solar panel cap of claim 11 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a horizontal support connected to the fixed mount and configured to be positioned over the upper end of the parapet or wall.

13. The solar panel cap of claim 10 , wherein the solar panel section includes a locking channel for slidably receiving and retaining at least a portion of the solar panel therein.

14. The solar panel cap of claim 13 , wherein the solar panel comprises a plurality of solar panels, and wherein adjacent solar panels are electrically connected together.

15. The solar panel cap of claim 11 , wherein the electrically powered devices comprise a streetlight, a building light, a battery or an outdoor electrical device, wherein the electrically powered devices comprise at least one light cap attachable to the upper end of the parapet or wall.

16. An adjustable solar panel cap for attachment to a parapet or wall, comprising:

a mounting bracket comprising a solar panel section having first and second side edges, a fixed mount pivotally connected to the first side edge, and a slidable mount pivotably connected to the second side edge, wherein the fixed mount and slidable mount are generally planar and configured so as to be effectively permanently attached to an upper end of the parapet or wall, and wherein the fixed mount is disposed flush against a first side of the parapet or wall, and the slidable mount is disposed flush against a second side of the parapet or wall; and

a solar panel fixed to the solar panel section of the mounting bracket, wherein the solar panel section includes a locking channel for slidably receiving and retaining at least a portion of the solar panel therein; and

wherein the solar panel section is adjustably positionable relative to the upper end of the parapet or wall.

17. The solar panel cap of claim 16 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a horizontal support connected to the fixed mount and configured to be positioned over the upper end of the parapet or wall, and pivot hinges for pivotally connecting the solar panel section to the fixed mount and the slidable mount.

18. The solar panel cap of claim 16 , wherein the solar panel comprises a plurality of solar panels electrically connected together, and one or more electrically powered devices are electrically connected to the solar panel, the electrically powered devices comprising a streetlight, a building light, a battery, and outdoor electrical device, or at least one cap attachable to the upper end of the parapet or wall.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 29, 2011
From: PRENTICE, JAMES L.
To: AREVALO, ELENA JANET
Reel/Frame 026991/0588 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 61453400 · Mar 16, 2011
Provisional Application 61477906 · Apr 21, 2011
Related Publication 20120233939A1 · Sep 20, 2012