US 8,786,235 B1Granted

Solar-powered automatic curtain opener

OwnerJeffery S. Mosleyinventor

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Abstract

A solar-powered automatic curtain opener comprises a housing, sensors, a motor, a pair of extendable rods, and a photovoltaic power supply. The housing provides an enclosure for various electrical components of the apparatus including the motor and battery. The sensor automatically actuates the motor based upon ambient light conditions which extends or retracts the rods to selectively open or close a curtain as appropriate. The motor is powered by a battery charged via a photovoltaic cell assembly. When ambient light conditions below a desired threshold are detected, stored energy is utilized in order to close the curtain assembly. The motor is further operable by a user to selectively open or close the curtain. In one embodiment, the housing further comprises a receiver which allows a user to remotely control the open or closed state of the curtains via a corresponding remote control assembly.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An opening and closing apparatus for a curtain, comprising:

a durable housing;
a motor assembly supported within said housing;
a pair of telescoping arm assemblies each operably driven by said motor assembly and extending outward from opposing sides of said housing;
a sensor assembly located on an exterior of said housing and in electrical communication with said motor assembly;
and,
a control means in electrical communication with said sensor assembly;
wherein said pair of telescoping arm assemblies are adapted to removably attach to said curtain;
wherein said pair of telescoping arm assemblies
each further comprises:
a first cylindrical telescoping section;
a second cylindrical telescoping section slidably engaged within said first telescoping section;
a third cylindrical telescoping section slidably engaged within said second telescoping section;
a gripping means attached to a terminal end of said third telescoping section;
a first spring mechanism located internally within said first telescoping section;
a second spring mechanism located internally within said second telescoping section;
wherein said gripping means is removably connected to said curtain;
wherein one of said pair of cord couplings is attached to an interior terminal end of said third telescoping section;
wherein said first and second integral spring mechanisms biases each section towards an outwardly extended state;
wherein said sensor assembly further comprises:
a photovoltaic cell located along an outer surface of said rear panel in electrical communication with said control means;
wherein said cell gathers solar energy and stores said solar energy to said power source;
and, wherein said cell detects a light intensity and generates and transmits a light intensity signal to said control means;
wherein said control means is selectable between an automatic operation and a manual operation to control said motor assembly;
and, wherein said motor assembly simultaneously drives said pair of telescoping arm assemblies to provide selectable incremental opening and closing of said curtain.

21 more elements

An opening and closing apparatus for a curtain, comprising:

a durable housing;
a motor assembly supported within said housing;
a pair of telescoping arm assemblies each operably driven by said motor assembly and extending outward from opposing sides of said housing;
a sensor assembly located on an exterior of said housing and in electrical communication with said motor assembly and wireless communication with a remote control;
and, a control means in electrical communication with said sensor assembly;
wherein said pair of telescoping arm assemblies are adapted to removably attach to said curtain;
wherein said pair of telescoping arm assemblies each further comprises:
a first cylindrical telescoping section;
a second cylindrical telescoping section slidably engaged within said first telescoping section;
a third cylindrical telescoping section slidably engaged within said second telescoping section;
a gripping means attached to a terminal end of said third telescoping section;
a first spring mechanism located internally within said first telescoping section;
a second spring mechanism located internally within said second telescoping section;
wherein said gripping means is removably connected to said curtain;
wherein one of said pair of cord couplings is attached to an interior terminal end of said third telescoping section;
wherein said first and second integral spring mechanisms biases each section towards an outwardly extended state, wherein said sensor assembly further comprises:
a photovoltaic cell located along an outer surface of said rear panel in electrical communication with said control means;
wherein said cell gathers solar energy and stores said solar energy to said power source;
and, wherein said cell detects a light intensity and generates and transmits a light intensity signal to said control means, wherein said control means is selectable between an automatic operation, a manual operation, and a remote operation to control said motor assembly;
and, wherein said motor assembly simultaneously drives said pair of telescoping arm assemblies to provide selectable incremental opening and closing of said curtain.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.