# US 2014/0196387 A1 · Covered Parking Structure Adjustable Solar Energy Collector Holder and Parking Lot Thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196387 A1 - Document ID: US20140196387A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/819,340 - Filed: 2011-08-26 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2010-08-26 - Inventors: Christopher Neito; Joseph Herzog; Sandra Werthman; Ryan W. Grabe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196387A1 ## CPC - E04H 14/00: Buildings for combinations of different purposes not covered by any single one of main groups E04H1/00-E04H13/00 of this subclass, e.g. for double purpose (E04H3/02, E04H9/06 take precedence); Buildings of the drive-in type - E04B 1/3416: {Structures comprising mainly a central support column and a cantilevered roof} - E04H 6/025: {in the form of an overhead canopy, e.g. carports} - F24S 25/12: using posts in combination with upper profiles - F24S 25/50: comprising elongate non-rigid elements, e.g. straps, wires or ropes - H02S 20/10: Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground (H02S20/30 takes precedence) - H02S 20/22: specially adapted for buildings - F24S 30/425: Horizontal axis - Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV] - Y02B 10/20: Solar thermal - Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A covered parking structure has a frame with first and second opposing surfaces. The surface has at least one solar energy collection panel therein. A device, removably connectable to the second opposing surface of the frame allows the frame to be adjusted in two or more axes relative to the vehicle parking lot. The structure also has a pedestal with first and second opposing ends. The first end of the pedestal is mountable in a surface of the vehicle parking lot at one end thereof, and in between, two adjacent vehicle spaces. The second end of the pedestal is mountable to the planar frame by the device for adjusting. The length of the pedestal makes an acute angle with the surface of the vehicle parking lot such that the pedestal does not interfere with the opening of doors of automobiles parked in the two adjacent vehicle spaces. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device to shelter a vehicle comprising: a solar panel holder; an attachment device coupled to the solar panel holder; a pedestal configured to support the solar panel holder, the pedestal including a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end coupled to the attachment device, the second end configured to be removably mounted to a surface; and the attachment device configured to secure the solar panel holder at an adjustable angle relative to the surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment device is configured to rotatably adjust the solar panel holder around a first axis relative to the pedestal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a length of the pedestal defines an acute angle relative to the surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, further comprising the acute angle is approximately 54 degrees. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the pedestal is rotatably mountable to the surface such that the pedestal is rotatable relative to the surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the solar panel holder comprises a substantially planar frame including a first side coupled to the attachment device, and including a second side opposite the first side and configured to receive at least one solar panel element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein: the substantially planar frame comprises at least one peripheral edge; and the attachment device is coupled to the first side at a location that is approximately a mid-point of the solar panel holder in a first direction relative to the at least one peripheral edge, and that is approximately between a mid-point and a point that is two thirds of a distance from the at least one peripheral edge in a second direction that is normal to the first direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a lighting fixture coupled to the solar panel holder. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the solar panel holder is configured to fold against the pedestal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment device is configured to pivot about a first axis and to rotate about a second axis to adjust an angular position of the solar panel holder. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector coupled to at least one of the solar panel holder and the pedestal and configured to provide an electrical charge configured to provide electrical energy captured by solar panel elements secured by the solar panel holder to an electrical device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a mounting structure configured to couple to the surface and to the second end of the pedestal to removably couple the pedestal to the surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein: the surface comprises a vehicle parking lot; the mounting bracket coupled to the vehicle parking lot at approximately one end of and in between two adjacent parking spaces. ### Claim 14 An apparatus comprising: a pedestal including a first end, a second end distal to the first end, and an elongated body extending from the first end to the second end; a knuckle device coupled to the first end, the knuckle device configured to pivot about a first axis and to rotate about a second axis; and a mounting base coupled to the second end and configured to be removably mounted to a surface to secure the pedestal to the surface; and wherein at least a portion of the elongated body defines an acute angle relative to the surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second end of the pedestal is configured to rotate about an axis normal to the mounting base. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a frame structure coupled to the knuckle device on and configured to secure one or more solar energy collection panels and to at least partially shelter a vehicle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the frame structure comprises a substantially rectangular structure; and the knuckle device is coupled to the frame structure at a location that is halfway between first opposing sides of the frame structure in a first direction and that is at least one-third of the distance between second opposing sides of the frame structure in a second direction. ### Claim 18 A solar energy collection apparatus comprising: a pedestal including a first end configured to mount to a surface, a second end, and a body portion; a frame configured to secure one or more solar panels; and a knuckle device coupled to the second end of the pedestal and to the frame, the knuckle device configured to pivot about a first axis and to rotate about a second axis to adjust an angle of the frame relative to the pedestal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The solar energy collection apparatus of claim 18, further comprising an electrical device coupled to the pedestal and configured to electrically couple to the one or more solar panels to receive an electrical charge for operation. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The solar energy collection apparatus of claim 19, wherein the electrical device comprises at least one of an advertising display, an automobile charger apparatus, and a parking meter collection device configured to collect electronic payment of parking charges.