US 5,980,052 A · Sun reflecting device

Abstract

A sun reflecting device capable of reflecting sunlight off of a mirror through a window and onto the ceiling of a room. The mirror holding assembly is adhered the outside of the window by suction cups or other mounting structure. The mirror is capable of changing angles by adjusting the height of a pair of lead screws which are attached to the underside of the mirror by universal joints and terminate on a support platform. A central post also supports the mirror and is attached by a universal joint. The lead screws are driven by stepper motors. A photosensor array is mounted to the inside of the window and an auxiliary mirror which is attached to the main mirror reflects sunlight on to the photosensor array. A microcontroller circuit responds to the photosensors' input and sends signals to the stepper motors so that the mirror is maintained in an ideal position to reflect sunlight to the chosen spot on the ceiling.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A sun reflecting device for providing additional light in a room, comprising:

a mirror and attached sub-mirror,
mirror supporting means,
a photosensor array, and
a microcontroller,
said mirror supporting means comprising a centrally located post and two additional posts which are lead screws emanating from stepper motors, said stepper motors being attached to a horizontal platform by gimbal mountings, said horizontal platform being attached to an outside of a window by suction cups, said horizontal platform having a lower vertically oriented brace, an end of said brace contacting the outside of said window or a portion below said window;
said photosensor mounted to the inside of said window, said microcontroller positioned in said room, wherein said sub-mirror reflects light to the photosensor array, said photosensor array senses movement of light reflected from the sub-mirror, and said microcontroller controls adjustment of the stepper motors to move the mirror based at least in part on an output of the photosensor array.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sun reflecting device

Life of this patent

Sun reflecting device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims4