US4381764A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar panel
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-03-20
•
Granted: 1983-05-03
•
Expires: 2000-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A highly efficient solar panel ideally suited for use in heating swimming pools, hot tubs and the like, comprising a plurality of elongated, flexible fluid carrying conduits fixedly secured together in a side by side relationship. The conduits are interconnected at their extremities with header members embodying integral compression fittings of unique design. The panel is shipped in a rolled up, preassembled configuration and is installed by simply unrolling the panel onto any suitable supporting surface. To accommodate the size and shape of the available supporting surface, such as a roof, the novel design of the panel permits it to be periodically rolled back upon itself with the oppositely extending portions thereof resting on the supporting surface in a substantially coplanar, side by side relationship with the next adjacent portions. When the panel is completely rolled out, the adjacent portions thereof are interlocked together by novel interlocking means to provide a highly stable assembly which is substantially impervious to damage by wind, vibration, moisture and mildew.
Inventors
- 👤 Warren Wojcik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:32
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/70; F24S10/73; F24S10/74; F24S10/748; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
404 words
A solar panel for heating a fluid medium by solar radiation, comprising: (a) first and second spaced apart header members, each said header member having side walls defining a central passageway extending longitudinally of said member; (b) a plurality of transversely spaced apart conduit receiving and gripping means formed in each of said header members, each conduit receiving and gripping means comprising a tapered aperture formed in said walls of said header members, each said aperture having sloping side walls tapering from a major diameter opening to a smaller minor diameter opening; (c) a plurality of elongated, flexible fluid carrying conduits extending between said first and second header members, one end of each said conduit being sealably received in one of said conduit receiving and gripping means formed in said first header member and the other end of said conduit being sealably received in one of said conduit receiving and gripping means formed in said second header member, said conduits being formed of a compressible material and being slightly larger in diameter than said minor diameter openings formed in said walls of said header member, whereby when the ends of said conduits are forced into said apertures said conduits will be compressed radially inwardly to form a fluid tight seal between said conduit and said header without requiring the use of a bonding agent; (d) securing means disposed at a plurality of locations between said first and second header members for securing together said conduits and retaining them in a fixed, transversely spaced apart relationship to form an elongated panel assembly of a predetermined width, said securing means being sufficiently spaced apart longitudinally of said assembly to permit said assembly, at various locations along its length, to be rolled back upon itself to form a plurality of substantially coplanar, oppositely extending sections disposed in side by side relationship, said securing means comprising: (i) an elongated, rigid member adapted to extend transversely of said panel assembly; and (ii) a flexible lacing adapted to alternately pass under said rigid member and over each of said conduits to secure said conduits to said rigid member and retain them in a fixed, transversely spaced apart relationship with respect to one another; (e) interlocking means associated with said securing means for interlocking together said oppositely extending sections of said panel assembly to prevent relative movement between said adjacent section; and (f) means for circulating fluid through said panel assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
404 words
A solar panel for heating a fluid medium by solar radiation, comprising: (a) first and second spaced apart header members, each said header member having side walls defining a central passageway extending longitudinally of said member; (b) a plurality of transversely spaced apart conduit receiving and gripping means formed in each of said header members, each conduit receiving and gripping means comprising a tapered aperture formed in said walls of said header members, each said aperture having sloping side walls tapering from a major diameter opening to a smaller minor diameter opening; (c) a plurality of elongated, flexible fluid carrying conduits extending between said first and second header members, one end of each said conduit being sealably received in one of said conduit receiving and gripping means formed in said first header member and the other end of said conduit being sealably received in one of said conduit receiving and gripping means formed in said second header member, said conduits being formed of a compressible material and being slightly larger in diameter than said minor diameter openings formed in said walls of said header member, whereby when the ends of said conduits are forced into said apertures said conduits will be compressed radially inwardly to form a fluid tight seal between said conduit and said header without requiring the use of a bonding agent; (d) securing means disposed at a plurality of locations between said first and second header members for securing together said conduits and retaining them in a fixed, transversely spaced apart relationship to form an elongated panel assembly of a predetermined width, said securing means being sufficiently spaced apart longitudinally of said assembly to permit said assembly, at various locations along its length, to be rolled back upon itself to form a plurality of substantially coplanar, oppositely extending sections disposed in side by side relationship, said securing means comprising: (i) an elongated, rigid member adapted to extend transversely of said panel assembly; and (ii) a flexible lacing adapted to alternately pass under said rigid member and over each of said conduits to secure said conduits to said rigid member and retain them in a fixed, transversely spaced apart relationship with respect to one another; (e) interlocking means associated with said securing means for interlocking together said oppositely extending sections of said panel assembly to prevent relative movement between said adjacent section; and (f) means for circulating fluid through said panel assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A solar panel as defined in claim 1 in which said interlocking means comprises hook shaped elements provided at each end of each said rigid member, said elements provided on adjacently positioned rigid members being adapted to interlock together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
336 words
A solar panel for heating a fluid medium by solar radiation, comprising: (a) first and second spaced apart generally cylindrically shaped header members having walls defining a central fluid passageway; (b) a plurality of elongated, flexible fluid carrying cross-linked polyethylene conduits extending between said first and second header members; (c) a plurality of transversely spaced apart conduit receiving and gripping meas provided on each of said header members, said means comprising a plurality of transversely spaced apart inwardly tapering openings formed in said walls of said header members, said openings tapering from a major diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said conduits to a minor diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of said conduits and being adapted to closely receive the ends of said conduits whereby said conduits will be compressed radially inwardly to form a fluid tight seal between said conduits and said headers without requiring the use of a bonding medium; (d) securing means disposed at a plurality of locations between said first and second header members for securing together said conduits and retaining them in a fixed, transversely spaced apart relationship to form an elongated panel assembly of a predetermined width, each of said securing means comprising: (i) an elongated, rigid member adapted to extend transversely of said panel assembly; and (ii) a flexible lacing adapted to alternately pass under said rigid member and over each of said conduits to secure said conduits to said rigid member and retain them in a fixed, transversely spaced apart relationship with respect to one another, said rigid members being sufficiently spaced apart longitudinally of said assembly to permit said assembly, at various locations along its length, to be rolled back upon itself to form a plurality of substantially coplanar, oppositely extending sections disposed in side by side relationship; (e) interlocking means associated with said securing means for interlocking together said oppositely extending sections of said panel assembly to prevent relative movement between said adjacent sections; and (f) means for circulating fluid through said panel assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
336 words
A solar panel for heating a fluid medium by solar radiation, comprising: (a) first and second spaced apart generally cylindrically shaped header members having walls defining a central fluid passageway; (b) a plurality of elongated, flexible fluid carrying cross-linked polyethylene conduits extending between said first and second header members; (c) a plurality of transversely spaced apart conduit receiving and gripping meas provided on each of said header members, said means comprising a plurality of transversely spaced apart inwardly tapering openings formed in said walls of said header members, said openings tapering from a major diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said conduits to a minor diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of said conduits and being adapted to closely receive the ends of said conduits whereby said conduits will be compressed radially inwardly to form a fluid tight seal between said conduits and said headers without requiring the use of a bonding medium; (d) securing means disposed at a plurality of locations between said first and second header members for securing together said conduits and retaining them in a fixed, transversely spaced apart relationship to form an elongated panel assembly of a predetermined width, each of said securing means comprising: (i) an elongated, rigid member adapted to extend transversely of said panel assembly; and (ii) a flexible lacing adapted to alternately pass under said rigid member and over each of said conduits to secure said conduits to said rigid member and retain them in a fixed, transversely spaced apart relationship with respect to one another, said rigid members being sufficiently spaced apart longitudinally of said assembly to permit said assembly, at various locations along its length, to be rolled back upon itself to form a plurality of substantially coplanar, oppositely extending sections disposed in side by side relationship; (e) interlocking means associated with said securing means for interlocking together said oppositely extending sections of said panel assembly to prevent relative movement between said adjacent sections; and (f) means for circulating fluid through said panel assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A solar panel as defined in claim 3 in which said interlocking means comprises hook shaped elements provided at each end of each said rigid member, said elements provided on adjacently positioned rigid members being adapted to interlock together.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-02 | 1986-11-01 | 1987-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-02 | 1990-11-01 | 1991-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-02 | 1994-11-01 | 1995-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |