Covered Parking Structure Adjustable Solar Energy Collector Holder and Parking Lot Thereof

Abstract

A covered parking structure has a frame with first and second opposing surfaces. The surface has at least one solar energy collection panel therein. A device, removably connectable to the second opposing surface of the frame allows the frame to be adjusted in two or more axes relative to the vehicle parking lot. The structure also has a pedestal with first and second opposing ends. The first end of the pedestal is mountable in a surface of the vehicle parking lot at one end thereof, and in between, two adjacent vehicle spaces. The second end of the pedestal is mountable to the planar frame by the device for adjusting. The length of the pedestal makes an acute angle with the surface of the vehicle parking lot such that the pedestal does not interfere with the opening of doors of automobiles parked in the two adjacent vehicle spaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device to shelter a vehicle comprising:
 a solar panel holder;   an attachment device coupled to the solar panel holder;   a pedestal configured to support the solar panel holder, the pedestal including a first end and a second end opposite the first end,
 the first end coupled to the attachment device, 
 the second end configured to be removably mounted to a surface; and 
   the attachment device configured to secure the solar panel holder at an adjustable angle relative to the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device is configured to rotatably adjust the solar panel holder around a first axis relative to the pedestal. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a length of the pedestal defines an acute angle relative to the surface. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising the acute angle is approximately 54 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the pedestal is rotatably mountable to the surface such that the pedestal is rotatable relative to the surface. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel holder comprises a substantially planar frame including a first side coupled to the attachment device, and including a second side opposite the first side and configured to receive at least one solar panel element. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the substantially planar frame comprises at least one peripheral edge; and   the attachment device is coupled to the first side at a location that is approximately a mid-point of the solar panel holder in a first direction relative to the at least one peripheral edge, and that is approximately between a mid-point and a point that is two thirds of a distance from the at least one peripheral edge in a second direction that is normal to the first direction.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lighting fixture coupled to the solar panel holder. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel holder is configured to fold against the pedestal. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device is configured to pivot about a first axis and to rotate about a second axis to adjust an angular position of the solar panel holder. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connector coupled to at least one of the solar panel holder and the pedestal and configured to provide an electrical charge configured to provide electrical energy captured by solar panel elements secured by the solar panel holder to an electrical device. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting structure configured to couple to the surface and to the second end of the pedestal to removably couple the pedestal to the surface. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the surface comprises a vehicle parking lot;   the mounting bracket coupled to the vehicle parking lot at approximately one end of and in between two adjacent parking spaces.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus comprising:
 a pedestal including a first end, a second end distal to the first end, and an elongated body extending from the first end to the second end;   a knuckle device coupled to the first end, the knuckle device configured to pivot about a first axis and to rotate about a second axis; and   a mounting base coupled to the second end and configured to be removably mounted to a surface to secure the pedestal to the surface; and   wherein at least a portion of the elongated body defines an acute angle relative to the surface.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the second end of the pedestal is configured to rotate about an axis normal to the mounting base. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a frame structure coupled to the knuckle device on and configured to secure one or more solar energy collection panels and to at least partially shelter a vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the frame structure comprises a substantially rectangular structure; and   the knuckle device is coupled to the frame structure at a location that is halfway between first opposing sides of the frame structure in a first direction and that is at least one-third of the distance between second opposing sides of the frame structure in a second direction.   
     
     
         18 . A solar energy collection apparatus comprising:
 a pedestal including a first end configured to mount to a surface, a second end, and a body portion;   a frame configured to secure one or more solar panels; and   a knuckle device coupled to the second end of the pedestal and to the frame, the knuckle device configured to pivot about a first axis and to rotate about a second axis to adjust an angle of the frame relative to the pedestal.   
     
     
         19 . The solar energy collection apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising an electrical device coupled to the pedestal and configured to electrically couple to the one or more solar panels to receive an electrical charge for operation. 
     
     
         20 . The solar energy collection apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the electrical device comprises at least one of an advertising display, an automobile charger apparatus, and a parking meter collection device configured to collect electronic payment of parking charges.