GB2276071A - Illuminated jewellery - Google Patents

Abstract

Jewellery comprises one or more precious or semi-precious stones 14 (Fig. 2) or imitation (14) (Fig. 5) each of which is back lit by a light emitting diode (16) connected to a power supply mounted on the piece of jewellery. The jewellery item is preferably a brooch or necklace and may have reflective or fluorescent coatings. <IMAGE>

Description

Jewellery This invention relates to jewellery.

According to the invention there is provided jewellery having at least one precious or semi-precious transparent or translucent stone or imitation thereof and means for lighting the stone.

Preferably the lighting means comprises a light emitting diode (LED) and more preferably, the LED is provided between the stone and reflective or fluorescent means or the LED is situated within or partially within a recess in the stone with any reflective or fluorescent means being provided behind the LED. Reflective means may be of naturally reflective material and the fluorescent means may be fluorescent powder.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the lighting arrangement of stones of the embodiment of figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a rear view of the stone of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross section through the line B-B of figure 4 showing a preferred arrangement of the circuitry and LED within the stone.

Figure 6 is a top view of a preferred hinge arrangement in the jewellery of Figure 5.

With reference to the figures, a first embodiment of a piece of jewellery of the invention, generally designated 10 is shown in figure 1. The piece of jewellery illustrated is a "butterfly" brooch shown by phantom lines 12. The brooch includes a plurality of transparent or translucent precious or semi-precious stones 14 illustrated by circular phantom lines which are mounted on the main body of the brooch 12 in a conventional manner. The brooch 12 is further provided with a lighting means for back lighting each of the stones 14 and the lighting means comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDS) or miniature light bulbs 16 which are connected via a conventional driving circuit 18 to battery 20. The driving circuit 18 preferably includes on/off switch (not shown).

As shown in figure 2 each LED 16 is disposed behind a stone 14 and behind the LED 16 a reflective or fluorescent coated member 22 is provided. The member 22 may be formed of naturally reflective material or may instead be covered with a fluorescent substance, preferably in the form of a fluorescent powder. The mounting arrangement 15 for the stone 14 is chosen to allow the stone to be held or clasped in place while at the same time providing room for the member 22 and LED 16 in a manner that will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Alternatively, a hole may be drilled in the stone and the LED inserted in the hole. In such a case, fluorescent powder may be adhered to part of the surface of the LED or the hole. To reduce the size of the LED, its usual plastic coating may be removed and a small outline integrated circuit (SOIC) used to drive the LED, powered by a button like cell.

In use, upon actuation of the driving circuit 18, the light emitting diodes 16 are illuminated and shine through stones 14 thus enhancing their visual effect. The presence of the member 22 increases the intensity of the visual effect.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which the LED 16 is positioned at least partially within the stone 14. By way of example the stone 14 in Figure 3 is mounted as a pendant in a necklace. If the stone 14 is sufficiently large, the circuitry can be arranged as shown behind the brooch of Figure 1. However, if the stone 14 is not very large, it is more preferable to use a small outline integrated circuit. The battery or batteries can conveniently be located at or near the clasp 24 of the necklace as they would also be on other types of clasped jewellery, such as bracelets, and the wiring, for example fine copper wire, can be concealed by the chain 26.

Alternatively, the necklace itself may provide the electrical connection from the batteries to the LED.

As shown in Figure 5 a recess 28 is formed by any convenient manner in the stone 14. Preferably the LED 16 and integrated circuit or circuit board 18 are inserted, either partially or completely, into the recess 28, and held there in any suitable manner, for example by adhesive, a snap-fit or, as shown in figure 4, by a cover 30 conveniently fitted in the manner that a conventional back cover is fitted to the back of a wrist watch.

Alternatively the circuit board could be placed behind rather than partially within the stone.

If the recess 28 is very small, it may be necessary to remove any plastic covering provided with the LED.

Within the recess 28 there may also be provided a reflective or fluorescent coated member, behind the LED.

Referring to figures 3 and 6, the links of the chain 26 and any other decorative features forming part of the chain, are preferably joined by hinges 32 being of a type which allows limited movement of the chain 26 in order to minimise the possibility of chain movement resulting in snapping of the wiring or shorting of the electrical circuit.

For aesthetic purposes, the battery 20 may be concealed within a battery case.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a brooch and a necklace, the invention is applicable to other kinds of jewellery such as bracelets, rings, and earrings which include translucent or transparent precious or semi-precious stones or imitations thereof.

Claims (18)

1. A piece of jewellery including a precious or semi precious stone or an imitation thereof and means for lighting the stone.

2. A piece of jewellery as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lighting means comprises a light source placed behind the stone.

3. A piece of jewellery as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lighting means comprises a light source situated partially or wholly within a recess in the stone.

4. A piece of jewellery as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lighting means further comprises light source driving means situated partially or wholly within the recess in the stone.

5. A piece of jewellery as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein reflective or fluorescent means are disposed adjacent the stone.

6. A piece of jewellery as claimed in claim 5 wherein the reflective means comprises a member having a reflective surface.

7. A piece of jewellery as claimed in claim 5 wherein the fluorescent means comprises a member coated with fluorescent powder.

8. A piece of jewellery as claimed in claim 5 wherein said fluorescent means comprises fluorescent powder applied to the stone or to the lighting means.

9. A piece of jewellery as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the lighting means comprises a light emitting diode and further comprising means for powering the diode.

10. A piece of jewellery as claimed in 9 wherein the means for powering the light emitting diode is a battery or batteries.

11. A piece of jewellery as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the piece of jewellery includes a clasp member and the means for powering the light emitting diode is located at or near the clasp member.

12. A piece of jewellery as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of said stones and respective lighting means.

13. A piece of jewellery as claimed in any one of claims 1-12 wherein the piece of jewellery is a necklace.

14. A piece of jewellery as claimed in claim 13 wherein the necklace is made up of a series of distinct elements, at least some of which elements are joined to adjacent elements by a hinge means which limits the movement of the elements relative to each other.

15. A piece of jewellery as claimed in any one of claims 1-12 wherein the piece of jewellery is a brooch.

16. A piece of jewellery as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 wherein elements of the necklace form part of an electrical circuit for the lighting means.

17. A necklace comprising a plurality of necklace elements which are electrically interconnected, a battery connected between two said elements and a precious or semi-precious stone or imitation thereof and means for lighting the stone connected between another two said elements whereby an electrical circuit is formed between the lighting means and the battery through elements of the necklace.

18. A piece of jewellery substantially as herein before described with the reference to figures 1 and 2 or 3-6 of the accompanying drawings.