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Patent Abstract
An article of illuminated jewelry includes at least one light source,
preferably comprising an LED, a housing preferably in a circumferential
shape, and having a hollow core for placing at least one wire for
supplying power from a battery to the light source for illuminating
a decorative object. The housing also includes a battery compartment
positioned at a predetermined distance from said light source for
enclosing the battery. The invention relates generally to jewelry
and more particularly to illuminated jewelry, including but not
limited to rings, necklaces and bracelets. The article of illuminated
jewelry may include, for example, the use of multiple batteries
of different types, different placements and sizes of batteries
(for brighter or longer illumination) as well as various alternative
switch mechanisms. The one or more light sources can also generate
different colors of light.
Patent Claims
1. An article of jewelry on which a decorative object may be mounted,
comprising: a light source; a housing having a pad on which said
decorative object is to be mounted and a holder for said light source,
the light source positioned thereby to enable the light source to
illuminate said object; a battery compartment on said housing spaced
a predetermined distance from said light source holder and said
decorative object for enclosing a battery; and means for coupling
power from a battery in said battery compartment to said light source,
comprising at least one electrical conductor routed at least in
part through a hollow core formed in said housing for connecting
said battery to said light source.
2. The article of claim 1, wherein the battery compartment is positioned
on the opposite side of said housing from said light source.
3. The article of claim 1, wherein the battery compartment includes
a flat bottom surface that allows the article to stand vertically
when placed on a surface.
4. The article of claim 1, wherein said housing is a conductive
metal and wherein said means for coupling power further comprises
electrically coupling one terminal of the battery to said light
source through said conductive metal.
5. The article of claim 1, wherein said means for coupling power
further comprises a second conductor for connecting said battery
to said light source, said second conductor routed at least in part
through a portion of said hollow core formed in said housing different
from said one electrical conductor.
6. The article of claim 1, wherein the decorative object comprises
a translucent jewel.
7. The article of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of a precious
metal.
8. The article of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed in the
shape of a ring.
9. The article of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed in the
shape of a bracelet.
10. The article of claim 1, wherein the housing has a circumferential
shape, and said hollow core is formed in said housing along at least
a portion of said circumference.
11. The article of claim 10, wherein the circumferential shape
is a circle.
12. The article of claim 10, wherein the circumferential shape
is a square.
13. The article of claim 10, wherein the circumferential shape
is a rectangle.
14. An article of jewelry on which a decorative object may be mounted,
comprising: a light source; a housing having a circumferential shape
and having a pad on which said decorative object is to be mounted
and a holder for said light source, said light source positioned
thereby to enable said light source to illuminate said decorative
object; a battery compartment on said housing spaced a predetermined
distance from said light source holder and said decorative object
for enclosing a battery; and means for coupling power from said
battery in said battery compartment to said light source, comprising
at least one electrical conductor routed at least in part through
a hollow core formed in said housing for connecting between said
battery and said light source; wherein said housing includes a clasp
having two parts, a male portion and a female portion, said female
portion including a first slot and a second slot, such that when
the male portion of the clasp is selectively inserted in said first
slot, power is coupled from said battery to said light source, and
when the male portion of the clasp is selectively inserted in said
second slot, no power is coupled to said light source.
15. The article of claim 14, wherein the battery compartment is
positioned on the opposite side of said housing from said light
source.
16. The article of claim 14, wherein said housing is a conductive
metal and wherein said means for coupling power further comprises
electrically coupling one terminal of the battery to said light
source through said conductive metal.
17. The article of claim 14, wherein said means for complying power
further comprises a second conductor for connecting said battery
to said light source, said second conductor routed at least in part
through a portion of said hollow core formed in said housing different
from said one electrical conductor.
18. The article of claim 14, wherein the housing is formed in the
shape of a bracelet.
19. The article of claim 14, wherein the housing is formed in the
shape of a necklace.
20. The article of claim 14, wherein the housing is made of a precious
metal.
21. An article of jewelry on which a decorative object may be mounted,
comprising: a light source; a housing having a circumferential shape
and having a pad on which said decorative object is to be mounted,
a first holder located at a first end of said decorative object
for insertion of a first light source, and a second holder located
at a second end of said decorative object for insertion of a second
light source, said first and second light sources positioned thereby
to enable said first and second light sources to illuminate said
decorative object; a battery compartment on said housing spaced
a predetermined distance from said first and second light source
holders for enclosing a battery; and means for coupling power from
a battery in said first and second battery compartment to said first
and second light sources, comprising at least one electrical conductor
routed at least in part through a hollow core formed in said housing
for connecting said battery to said light source; and a four position
switch, said switch in said second position coupling said battery
to said first light source, said switch in said third position coupling
said battery to said second light source, said switch in said fourth
position coupling said battery to both said first light source and
said second light source, said switch in said first position coupling
said battery to neither said first light source nor said second
light source.
22. The article of claim 21, wherein the battery is positioned
at the opposite side of the housing from said first and second light
sources.
23. The article of claim 21, wherein the housing is formed in the
shape of a bracelet.
24. The article of claim 21, wherein the housing is formed in the
shape of a necklace.
25. The article of claim 21, wherein the housing is made of a precious
metal.
26. The article of claim 21, wherein first light source outputs
a different color than the second light source.
27. The article of claim 21, wherein the first light source comprises
a blue light-emitting diode and the second light source comprises
a green light-emitting diode.
28. The article of claim 21, wherein said first light source outputs
the same color as said second light source.
29. The article of claim 21, wherein the housing has a circumferential
shape, and said hollow core is formed in said housing along at least
a portion of said circumference.
30. The article of claim 29, wherein the circumferential shape
is a circle.
31. The article of claim 29, wherein the circumferential shape
is a square.
32. The article of claim 34, wherein the circumferential shape
is a rectangle.
33. An article of jewelry on which a decorative object may be mounted,
comprising: a light source; a housing shaped to be mounted on a
necklace at a first end and having a second end with a pad on which
said decorative object is to be mounted and a holder for said light
source, said light source positioned thereby to enable said light
source to illuminate said decorative object; a battery compartment
in said housing at said first end for enclosing a battery; and means
for coupling power from said battery in said battery compartment
to said light source, comprising at least one electrical conductor
for connecting between said battery and said light source, said
conductor routed at least in part through a hollow core in said
housing between said first and said second end.
Patent Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to jewelry and more particularly
to illuminated jewelry, including but not limited to rings, necklaces
and bracelets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Jewelry with an illuminating light to enhance the appearance
of a decorative object, such as a precious stone or the like, have
been created in various shapes, forms, and styles, but in the past
such jewelry has been mostly targeted to a consumer market comprising
costume or low-cost jewelry. This is primarily because the energy
source for the lights is usually provided by one or more batteries
which are bulky and not easy to incorporate into a jewelry piece.
[0003] One challenge in designing aesthetically attractive illuminated
jewelry is the placement of the battery. In one conventional design,
as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,965 a necklace is formed from
a loop of insulated wire having a battery positioned at a fixed
location within a first discontinuity of the wire and a light source
located at a second discontinuity. In another conventional design,
as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,109, a battery cell is mounted
in a threaded cap housing that is screwed on to an ornament housing
that contains the light emitting diode. These prior illuminated
jewelry designs tend to be bulky or place significant restrictions
on the structure of the jewelry design.
[0004] Contemporary fashion designers are constantly seeking for
ways to accentuate the beauty and brightness of jewelry or otherwise
make stones such as quartz more visually appealing. As fashion trends
continue to evolve rapidly from year to year, the fashion industry
must be creative to come up with new and fresh jewelry designs,
colors, and shapes in order to provide new jewelry products. Accordingly,
there is an ongoing need to create new and different structural
designs of illuminated jewelry. Decorative objects contemplated
as being mounted on the jewelry housing include diamonds, semi-precious
stones such as quartz, and pearls. There is a further need for jewelry
targeted to a higher end market wherein key structural constraints
and limitations of prior art generally aimed at low end and costume
jewelry have been eliminated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is an article of illuminated jewelry
which includes a housing in a preferably circumferential shape having
a hollow core containing at least one conductor for supplying power
from a battery to a light source positioned on said housing to illuminate
a decorative object.
[0006] Broadly stated, in a first embodiment, an article of jewelry
on which a decorative object may be mounted, comprises a light source;
a housing having a pad on which said decorative object is to be
mounted and a holder for said light source, the light source positioned
thereby to enable the light source to illuminate said decorative
object; a battery compartment on said housing at a predetermined
distance from said light source holder for enclosing a battery;
and means for coupling power from the battery in said battery compartment
to said light source, comprising at least one electrical conductor
routed at least in part through a hollow core formed in said housing
for connecting said battery to said light source. According to the
present invention, the above-referenced predetermined distance is
a flexible and not fixed distance between the battery and light
source, and can be altered depending on the particular jewelry design.
[0007] In a second embodiment, an article of jewelry on which a
decorative object may be mounted, comprises a light source; a housing
having a circumferential shape and having a pad on which said decorative
object is to be mounted and a holder for said light source, said
light source positioned thereby to enable said light source to illuminate
said decorative object; a battery compartment on said housing spaced
a predetermined distance from said light source holder and said
decorative object for enclosing a battery; and means for coupling
power from said battery in said battery compartment to said light
source, comprising at least one electrical conductor routed through
a hollow core formed in said housing for connecting between said
battery and said light source; wherein said housing includes a clasp
having two parts, a male portion and a female portion, said female
portion including a first slot and a second slot, such that when
the male portion of the clasp is selectively inserted in said first
slot, power is coupled from said battery to said light source, and
when the male portion of the clasp is selectively inserted in said
second slot, no power is coupled to said light source.
[0008] In a third embodiment, an article of jewelry on which a
decorative object may be mounted, comprises a light source; a housing
having a circumferential shape and having a pad on which said decorative
object is to be mounted, a first holder located at a first end of
said decorative object for insertion of a first light source, and
a second holder located at a second end of said decorative object
for insertion of a second light source, said first and second light
sources positioned thereby to enable said first and second light
sources to illuminate said decorative object; a battery compartment
on said housing spaced a predetermined distance from said first
and second light source holders for enclosing a battery; and means
for coupling power from a battery in said first and second battery
compartment to said first and second light sources, comprising at
least one electrical conductor routed through a hollow core formed
in said housing for connecting said battery to said light source;
and a four position switch, said switch in said second position
coupling said battery to said first light source, said switch in
said third position coupling said battery to said second light source
said switch in said fourth position coupling said battery to both
said first light source said switch in said first position coupling
said battery to neither said non said second light source and said
first light source and said second light source.
[0009] In a fourth embodiment, an article of jewelry on which a
decorative object may be mounted, comprising: a light source; a
housing shaped to be mounted on a necklace at a first end and having
a second end with a pad on which said decorative object is to be
mounted and a holder for said light source, said light source positioned
thereby to enable said light source to illuminate said decorative
object; a battery compartment in said housing at said first end
for enclosing a battery; and means for coupling power from said
battery in said battery compartment to said light source, comprising
at least one electrical conductor for connecting between said battery
and said light source, said conductor routed at least in part through
a hollow core in said housing between said first and said second
end.
[0010] The structures and methods regarding the present invention
are disclosed in the detailed description below. This summary does
not purport to define the invention. The invention is defined by
the claims. These and other embodiments, features, aspects, and
advantages of the invention will become better understood with regard
to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a ring with battery powered illumination
in accordance with the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1A is cross-sectional view of the ring housing shown
in FIG. 1 taken along the lines 1A-1A.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ring as shown in FIG.
1 in accordance with the present invention, showing the battery
compartment open and a battery placed therein.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram for supplying battery power
to a light emitting diode on the ring of FIG. 1 in accordance with
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a necklace with battery
powered illumination in accordance with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram for supplying battery power
to a light emitting diode on the necklace of FIG. 4 in accordance
with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bracelet with battery
powered illumination in accordance with the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram for supplying battery power
to a light emitting diode on the bracelet of FIG. 6 in accordance
with the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a necklace with battery powered illumination in accordance with
the present invention.
[0020] Reference symbols or names are used in the Figures to indicate
certain components, aspects or features therein, with reference
symbols common to more than one Figure indicating like components,
aspects or features shown therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view
of a ring 100 comprising a housing 110 having a circumferential
shape with a hollow interior or core 112, as seen in the cross-sectional
view shown in FIG. 1A along at least a portion of the circumference.
Hollow core 112 enables at least one electrical conductor 114 to
be routed therein to provide a conductive path between a battery
130 and a light source 120 mounted on said housing. The conductor
114 needs to have an insulated jacket (shown at 116 in FIG. 1A)
when housing 110 is a conductive metal.
[0022] A battery compartment 160 is attached to the housing 110
and functions as an enclosure for battery 130 and is positioned
at a predetermined distance (e.g., at the side opposite the light
source 120). A decorative object 140 is mounted on a pad or raised
prongs 150 formed on housing 110 and accessible to the hollow core
112 of the housing 110. The light source 120 is positioned on or
in the pad, or below or alongside the raised prongs 150, such that
the light source 120 shines diagonally or vertically around (and
through, if the object is translucent) the decorative object 140.
The light source 120 can be implemented using a conventional light-emitting
diode (LED).
[0023] The battery compartment 160 preferably comprises two parts,
as best seen in FIG. 3: a cup 162 in which a conventional disk shaped
battery is designed to be placed, and a battery enclosure 161 in
which the cup 162 and battery 130 are inserted. Preferably, cup
162 is connected to battery enclosure 161 by a conventional hinge
163. Hinge 163 enables a user to swing open the cup 162 from battery
enclosure 161 for placement or replacement of battery 130. Battery
130 is electrically and mechanically coupled to at least one wire
conductor in the hollow core of housing 110 when the battery 130
and cup 162 are closed within battery enclosure 161. A conventional
latch (not shown) is preferably used to retain cup 162 and battery
130 in battery enclosure 161. The battery compartment 160 also preferably
has a flat surface 164 on its bottom so that the ring 100 can stand
vertically when placed on a surface, such as a table.
[0024] Housing 110 in the present invention preferably is formed
from a precious metal and the decorative object 140 is preferably
a high-quality piece of jewelry, such as a diamond or other translucent
jewel. A suitable material for housing 110 includes platinum, gold,
steel, or silver.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a circuit 200 for supplying power to
the ring 100 shown in FIG. 1. The circuit 200 comprises a battery
210 and a light-emitting diode 220. When the battery 130 is enclosed
within battery compartment 160, the circuit 200 is in a closed-loop,
i.e., battery 130 is electrically coupled to light source 120. When
battery 130 has been placed inside the battery compartment 160,
the light-emitting diode 220 will be turned on and will illuminate
the decorative object 140.
[0026] Battery 210 has two terminals, a+terminal and a-terminal.
The light emitting diode 220 is coupled to the terminals of battery
210 preferably by separate wires 212 and 214 for connecting to the
cathode and anode of diode 220. Each wire is preferably routed through
a different portion of the hollow core 112 of housing 110. Alternatively,
if housing 110 is a conductive metal, one of the wires 212 or 214
can be eliminated by having housing 110 provide one of the conducting
paths between a terminal of battery 210 and diode 220.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a necklace 400 with battery
powered illumination. Necklace 400 includes a housing 410 having
a circumferential shape with a hollow core along at least a portion
of said circumference that allows at least one electrical conductor
to connect between a battery 420 and a light source 430. The housing
410 is designed to have a decorative object 440 attached thereto.
Decorative object 440 may again be opaque or translucent, e.g.,
a pearl or a diamond. Housing 410 also includes a clasp 450 spaced
from object 440 preferably at the opposite end of housing 410. Clasp
450 can function like any conventional necklace clasp to enable
the necklace housing to be fastened around a user's neck. In the
preferred embodiment, clasp 450 includes a switch function. Specifically,
clasp 450 preferably includes two parts, a male portion 455 on the
one end, and a first slot 456 and a second slot 457 on the other
end. When the male portion 455 is inserted into the first slot 456,
a circuit 500 described below is closed and battery 420 supplies
power to turn on the light source 430. When the male portion 455
is inserted into the second slot 457, the circuit 500 is not closed
and battery 420 does not supply power to the light source 430. The
clasp 450 in the necklace 400 therefore acts as a switch 520 to
connect or disconnect the battery to the LED in circuit 500 as shown
in FIG. 5. The use of the clasp 450 to create the switch in circuit
500, effectively turning on or turning off the light source 430,
is also applicable to other types of jewelry, such as a bracelet.
[0028] In one embodiment according to the present invention, the
clasp 450 serves to house the battery 420 as well as to secure the
necklace 400 when the male portion 455 is selectively inserted into
either the first slot 456 or the second slot 457. In an alternative
embodiment, not shown, the battery 420 can be mounted outside of
the clasp 450 along housing 410. The battery 420 is fastened to
the housing 410 at some distance away from the light source 430,
e.g., the battery 420 is located approximately on the opposite side
of the housing 410 from the light source 430. The light source 430
is placed behind or adjacent to the decorative object 440 for illuminating
around and/or through the decorative object 440.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram 500 for implementing the necklace
400 with battery powered illumination as described with respect
to FIG. 4. The circuit 500 comprises a battery 510, a two-position
switch 520, and a light-emitting diode 530. The two-position switch
520 has a first switch position 521 that corresponds to the function
when the male portion 455 is connected into first slot 456, and
a second switch position 522 that corresponds into function when
the male portion 455 is connected to the second slot 457. In other
words, if the switch control 520 is placed in the first switch position
521, the circuit 500 is in a closed loop so that the battery 510
is able to supply power to the light source 530. If the switch control
is placed in the second switch position 522, battery 510 is not
coupled to the light source 530. Battery 510 provides the electrical
power necessary to turn on the light-emitting diode 530. In a situation
where the voltage of the battery 510 is comparable to the voltage
to the light-emitting diode 530, there is no need to add a resistor
in the circuit 500. However, a resistor may be necessary in the
circuit 500 where the voltage of the battery 510 is higher than
the voltage desired by the light-emitting diode 530.
[0030] The switch 520 can also be implemented for the necklace
400 using a large number of other mechanisms conventionally known
in the art. These switch mechanisms are also useable in any other
articles of jewelry according to the present invention. The switch,
for example, may comprise the same type of switch found in watches,
wherein the switch function is obtained by the repositioning of
a shaft connected to a knob or button accessible to a user. Such
mechanisms are typically waterproof and resilient.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a perspective view
of a bracelet 600 having a housing 610 having a circumferential
shape with a hollow core along at least a portion of said circumference
that allows at least one electrical conductor positioned in said
hollow core to connect between a battery 620 and one or more light
sources 630a and 630b. The battery 620 is fastened along housing
610 at some distance from the one or more light sources 630a and
630b. A battery compartment 625 has one or more switches 627 for
switching on or off the one or more light sources 630a and 630a.
For example, if two switches are included in the design, four possible
logic combinations are available: (1) both switches 627 are off,
so that no power is supplied to the first light source 630a or the
second light source 630b, (2) a first switch is on to couple power
the first light source 630a only, (3) a second switch is on to couple
power the second light source 630b only, and (4) both switches are
on to couple power the first light source 630a and the second light
source 630b.
[0032] The housing 610 includes an inside 620 surface (i.e., next
to the skin of the wearer) and an outside surface 622. In this embodiment,
a decorative object 640 is placed on the outside surface 622, with
first light source 630a on the left side of the decorative object
640 and second light source 630b on the right side of the decorative
object 640. In this embodiment, battery 620 is mounted on the inside
surface 620.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram 700 for implementing the bracelet
600 with battery powered illumination as described with respect
to FIG. 6. The circuit 700 comprises a battery 710, a four-position
switch 720, and a light-emitting diode package including a first
light-emitting diode 732 and a second light-emitting diode 734.
The four-position switch 720 produces four possible switch positions:
(1) a first switch position 721 where both the first light-emitting
diode 732 and the second light-emitting diode 734 are off, (2) a
second switch position 722 where only the first light-emitting diode
732 is turned on, (3) a third switch position 723 where only the
second light-emitting diode 734 is turned on, and (4) a fourth switch
position 724 where both the first light-emitting diode 732 and the
second light-emitting diode 734 are turned on through a third diode
725 and a fourth diode 726. A resister 740 may be added to provide
bias for light emitting diodes 732 and 734, depending on the voltage
of battery 710.
[0034] In this embodiment, the first light-emitting diode 732 is
selected to be a blue color, while the second light-emitting diode
734 selected to be a green color. One of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that other colors, such as red and purple, or any
other combination of colors are possible depending on the design
of the bracelet 600. Moreover, the location of the light-emitting
diodes 732 and 734 are intended as an illustration. Other patterns
of LED arrangements can be made without departing from the spirit
of the present invention. Furthermore, more than two light-emitting
diodes can be used in the design of the bracelet 600. The multiple
switch positions and the multiple light emitting diodes in the bracelet
600 are also applicable to the design of a ring 100 or a necklace
400 according to the present invention.
[0035] An alternative structural design of a pendant for a necklace
401 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 8. As shown,
the pendant housing 470 is fastened to necklace 401. The first end
450 of housing 470 is attached to the necklace and also contains
a replaceable battery, not shown. The decorative object 440 is mounted
to the second end 460 of housing 470 and is illuminated by an LED
430 (not shown) mounted behind object 440 in the same manner as
in the housing shown in the other FIGURES herein, with the LED powered
by the battery via one or two wires routed in a hollow core of housing
470 between the battery and decorative object 440.
[0036] The term "decorative object" is to be construed
broadly throughout this invention to mean any article or material
having optical reflective and/or refractive properties, whether
translucent or non-translucent, including jewels, gemstones, decorated
stones, transmissive light objects, precious stones, pearls, glass,
plastic, and any aesthetically pleasing object, e.g. white and color
diamonds (yellows, reds, pinks, purples, blues and greens), rubies,
semi-precious stones, quartz, sapphires, emeralds, shells, turquoise,
coral, and imitations of these stones made from artificial materials
or small reflective metallic objects. In particular, the placement
of a light behind a pearl or the placement of a light behind a piece
of quartz may create refracted illumination through the gem due
to its natural inclusions (as opposed to simply the cut of the gemstone).
[0037] Optionally, the article of jewelry according to the present
invention can include the use, for example, of multiple batteries
or different types and sizes of batteries for brighter or longer
illumination. The one or more light sources can also generate different
colors of light. Alternatively, the jewelry could comprise decorative
ornaments to be hung on clothing apparel, trees or chandeliers.
[0038] In addition, the term "circumferential shape"
as used in this application is to be construed broadly to include
various geometric shapes, such as a circle, a square, or a rectangle.
[0039] Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing
description that the broad techniques of the embodiments of the
present invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Although
the present invention describes three types of jewelry, including
a ring embodiment, a necklace embodiment, and a bracelet embodiment,
other type of jewelry can be implemented without departing from
the spirit of the present invention, such as collars, key chains
or cuff links. Therefore, while the embodiments of this invention
have been described in connection with particular examples thereof,
the true scope of the embodiments of the invention should not be
so limited since other modifications, whether explicitly provided
for by the specification or implied by the specification, will become
apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings,
specification, and following claims.
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