Solar energy for warming objects, such as golf balls and the like

Claim 2

a front surface optical coating of a high absorbance and low emittance characteristic, and

Claim 3

the outer cover being shaped to admit sun rays from a wide range of angles, and

Claim 4

the outer cover being shaped to admit sun rays from a wide range of angles, and

Claim 5

A solar energy device, for warming golf balls and other objects, comprised of a hingeable, transparent cover cooperating with an insulated base which supports an absorber plate having formed pockets to embrace the objects being warmed, wherein, a. said cover is comprised of an outer and an inner section with entrapped, insulating air between,

Claim 6

A solar energy device, for warming golf balls and other objects, comprised of a hingeable, transparent cover cooperating with an insulated base which supports an absorber plate having formed pockets to embrace the objects being warmed, wherein, a. said cover is comprised of an outer and an inner section with entrapped, insulating air between,

Claim 7

A solar energy device, for warming golf balls and other objects, comprised of a hingeable, transparent cover cooperating with an insulated base which supports an absorber plate having formed pockets to embrace the objects being warmed, wherein, a. said cover is comprised of an outer and an inner section with entrapped, insulating air between, 1. the outer cover being shaped to admit sun rays from a wide range of angles, and 2. the inner cover formed to have pockets for holding the objects in contact with the absorber plate, and to minimize the displaceable air between the cover and and the absorber, b. said absorber plate is made of highly heat-conductive material, having, 1. a front surface optical coating of a high absorbance and low emittance characteristic, and 2. formed retaining pockets to intimately contact the objects over a large area to promote efficient conductance of heat from the absorber, c. said cover and sAid absorber plate each have a relatively large projected area in respect to the projected area of the objects, d. said base and said cover are cooperatively joined along one edge by a hinge and along the opposite edge by a manually operated latch.

Claim 8

A solar energy device, for warming golf balls and other objects, comprised of a hingeable, transparent cover cooperating with an insulated base which supports an absorber plate having formed pockets to embrace the objects being warmed, wherein, a. said cover is comprised of an outer and an inner section with entrapped, insulating air between, 1. the outer cover being shaped to admit sun rays from a wide range of angles, and 2. the inner cover formed to have pockets for holding the objects in contact with the absorber plate, and to minimize the displaceable air between the cover and and the absorber, b. said absorber plate is made of highly heat-conductive material, having, 1. a front surface optical coating of a high absorbance and low emittance characteristic, and 2. formed retaining pockets to intimately contact the objects over a large area to promote efficient conductance of heat from the absorber, c. said cover and sAid absorber plate each have a relatively large projected area in respect to the projected area of the objects, d. said base and said cover are cooperatively joined along one edge by a hinge and along the opposite edge by a manually operated latch.

Claim 9

the inner cover formed to have pockets for holding the objects in contact with the absorber plate, and to minimize the displaceable air between the cover and and the absorber, b. said absorber plate is made of highly heat-conductive material, having,

Claim 10

the inner cover formed to have pockets for holding the objects in contact with the absorber plate, and to minimize the displaceable air between the cover and and the absorber, b. said absorber plate is made of highly heat-conductive material, having,

Claim 11

A solar warming device, as described in claim 1, wherein the absorber is made of an aluminum plate having a black front surface coating with microscopic voids, and said absorber forming one wall enclosing an air insulating compartment in the supporting, insulated base.

Claim 12

formed retaining pockets to intimately contact the objects over a large area to promote efficient conductance of heat from the absorber, c. said cover and sAid absorber plate each have a relatively large projected area in respect to the projected area of the objects, d. said base and said cover are cooperatively joined along one edge by a hinge and along the opposite edge by a manually operated latch.

Claim 13

formed retaining pockets to intimately contact the objects over a large area to promote efficient conductance of heat from the absorber, c. said cover and sAid absorber plate each have a relatively large projected area in respect to the projected area of the objects, d. said base and said cover are cooperatively joined along one edge by a hinge and along the opposite edge by a manually operated latch.

Claim 14

A solar warming device, as described in claim 1, wherein the outer cover comprises a plurality of surface facets to favorably admit sun rays from a wide range of angular positions.

Claim 15

A solar warming device, as described in claim 1, wherein the outer cover has a concave dish shape to minimize reflection of sun rays arriving over a broad range of relative angles.

Claim 16

A solar warming device, as described in claim 1, wherein the hinge connecting the cover and base members is comprised of a strong, flexible plastic tape coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive, capable of retaining their strength, flexibility and bonding characteristics under prolonged outdoor exposure.

Claim 17

A solar warming device, as described in claim 1, wherein the latching means is comprised of a latch made of a magnetic material in close proximity to a permanent magnet retained in the base.

Claim 18

A solar warming device, as described in claim 1, wherein the base is made of a rigid structural, insulating foam plastic material molded integrally or to conform with the absorber plate and other adjacent components including latch, belt straps and auxiliary heating elements.

Claim 19

A solar warming device, as described in claim 1, wherein the insulated base houses an auxiliary heating source in the form of a preheated mass having a high specific heat value.

Claim 20

A solar warming device, as described in claim 1, wherein the insulated base houses an auxiliary heating means comprising a resistance circuit affixed or integral with the absorber plate, connecting conductors and a battery power source.

Claim 21

A solar warming device, as described in claim 1, wherein the insulated base houses an auxiliary heating means achieved through the burning of catalytic fuel.