Fabric Shade Assembly with Pockets and Associated Methods of Making and Use

Abstract

A shade assembly adapted to hold a photovoltaic panel thereon includes a shade panel. A first pocket part formed of a substantially clear plastic is connected to the shade panel along a plurality of first pocket edges thereof, a first pocket opening being defined between the shade panel. The first pocket part dimensioned to accommodate insertion of a first end of the photovoltaic panel therein. A second pocket part is also connected to the shade panel along a plurality of second pocket edges thereof, a second pocket opening being defined between the shade panel. The second pocket part is dimensioned to accommodate insertion of a second end of the photovoltaic panel therein. The first and second pocket part openings are substantially opposed. A closure flap extends between the first and second pocket parts and operable to cover the first and second pocket openings.

1 . A shade assembly adapted to hold a photovoltaic panel thereon, the shade assembly comprising:
 a shade panel;   a first pocket part formed of a substantially clear plastic connected to the shade panel along a plurality of first pocket edges thereof, a first pocket opening being defined between the shade panel and the first pocket part dimensioned to accommodate insertion of a first end of the photovoltaic panel therein;   a second pocket part connected to the shade panel along a plurality of second pocket edges thereof, a second pocket opening being defined between the shade panel and the second pocket part dimensioned to accommodate insertion of a second end of the photovoltaic panel therein, the first and second pocket part openings being substantially opposed; and   a closure flap extending between the first and second pocket parts and operable to cover the first and second pocket openings.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the closure flap is integral with the first pocket part. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the shade assembly is oriented such that the first pocket part is an upper part. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the closure flap substantially overlies the second pocket part when closed. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the a cord gap is defined between the second part and the shade panel along a lower edge of the second part, the cord gap being dimensioned to route a cord for connection to the second end of the photovoltaic panel therethrough. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pocket part openings are spaced apart. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first pocket part is substantially longer than the second pocket part. 
   
   
       8 . A method of using the shade assembly of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 inserting the first end of the photovoltaic panel under the first pocket part through the first pocket opening;   flexing the photovoltaic panel;   inserting the second end of the photovoltaic panel under the second pocket part through the second pocket opening;   closing the closure flap to cover the first and second openings.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the closure flap is integral with the first pocket part, the shade assembly is oriented such that the first pocket part is an upper part, the closure flap substantially overlies the second pocket part when closed, and a cord gap is defined between the second part and the shade panel along a lower edge of the second part, the method further comprising:
 routing a cord through the cord gap being and connecting the cord to the second end of the photovoltaic panel.   
   
   
       10 . A shade assembly adapted to hold a photovoltaic panel thereon, the shade assembly comprising:
 at least one shade panel; and   a pocket attached to the shade panel and including:
 a first part having a closure flap at a first end thereof; and 
 a second part underlying the flexible closure flap; 
   wherein the pocket is dimensioned to accommodate the photovoltaic panel therein and at least one of the first and second part are formed from a substantially transparent polymer material.   
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one shade panel is a fabric panel. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one shade panel is formed of least one of a polyvinylchloride-coated fabric and a polytetrafluoroethylene-coated fiberglass fabric. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and second parts is formed of a plastic material. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second parts is thermally welded to the shade panel. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second parts is formed of an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene film. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first part has four edges, first part connections to the shade panel being formed only along three edges thereof such that a first opening is defined between the first part and the shade panel under the closure flap. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the closure flap is flexible the connections between the shade panel and the first part do not extend under any edges of the closure flap. 
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the second part has four edges, second part connections to the shade panel being formed only along three edges thereof such that a second opening, substantially opposed to the first opening, is defined between the second part and the shade panel under the closure flap. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the second part has four edges, second part connections to the shade panel being formed only along three edges thereof such that a second opening is defined between the second part and the shade panel under the closure flap. 
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein a gap is formed in the second part connection to the shade panel opposite the second opening, adapted to accommodate a cord of the photovoltaic panel therethrough.