Appeal No. 2006-0742 Page
Reexamination Control No. 90/006,013 6
B. The prior art
1. Corazzini
Corazzini discloses a solar powered window shade 10 comprising a
venetian blind 12 containing a head channel 26 mounted inside a window frame
14. An apparatus 22 for converting solar energy from sunlight into electrical
energy which includes a solar panel 36 with multiple solar cells 38 is mounted on
the head channel 26. An electrical energy utilizing mechanism 24 containing a
reversible electric motor 40 is mounted inside the head channel 26 and is
electrically connected to the solar cells 38 so as to be operated by electrical
energy. A structure 44 for opening and closing the venetian blind 12 is
mechanically connected to the motor 40 and includes an elongated tilt rod 46. A
control unit 54 is electrically connected to the motor 40 via an electric cord 56 so
that the motor 40 can be operated both manually and automatically. A housing
58 attached to the distal end of the electric cord 56 includes a first switch 60
which, when manually pressed, causes the motor 40 to rotate tilt rod 46
clockwise so as to open the venetian blind 12 and a second switch 62 which,
when manually pressed, causes the motor 40 to rotate tilt rod 46
counterclockwise to close the venetian blind 12. Alternatively, housing 58 also
includes an automatic timed set switch 64 for opening and closing the venetian
blind 12 at predetermined time intervals. Finally, a battery 68 is contained in the
head channel 26 and electrically connected to the motor 40 to supply auxiliary
electrical energy to the motor 40, as a backup power source, on an inclement
sunless day. [Column 1, line 65 - column 2, line 67.]
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