Illuminated decorative items

• US 3,984,674 A
• Filed: 01/21/1975
• Issued: 10/05/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gilles Guetta
• Original Assignee: Gilles Guetta
• Inventors: Guetta, Gilles
• Primary Examiner(s): Moses, R. L.
• Application Number:
  US05/543,015
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 240/6.4 W, 240/6.4 R, 240/10 R, 339/11, 339/118 R, 200/189, 200/224, 200/61.47
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 15/0015 Illuminated or sound-producing jewellery
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 33/00 Electroluminescent light sources

Abstract

Apparatus for producing a variable illuminated display suitable for incorporation in articles of personal jewelry. The apparatus includes a switch device responsive to movements of an individual wearing the jewelry article for electrically energizing small light emitting devices singly or in groups.

Claims

1. Apparatus for generating a varying lighted display comprising:

a plurality of electrically energized light emitting devices;

means for supporting said light emitting devices in an array, said supporting means being adapted to be received within an article of jewelry;

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said distributor switch freely movable conductor comprises:

a mass of mercury.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises:

a printed circuit board, said board having conductors on both sides thereof, said conductors defining an intersecting pattern, the conductors on a first side of said board being all connected to a second polarity terminal of said source, the conductors on the second side of said board being connected to preselected of said distributor switch segmental electrodes, said board being provided with apertures whereby each of said light emitting devices may be connected to a conductor on each side of said board.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

a housing for said light emitting devices, supporting means, current source and switch means, said housing having a cover member through which the light generated by said devices will be visible.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a housing for said light emitting devices, supporting means, current source and switch means, said housing having a cover member through which the light generated by said devices will be visible.

2. a source of electric current;

and

a distributor switch for controlling the delivery of current from said source to said light emitting devices, said switch having an active area of generally annular shape, said switch further having an annular electrode connected to a first polarity terminal of said source and a plurality of arcuate shaped segmental electrodes respectively connected to preselected of said light emitting devices, the spaces between said annular electrode and said segmented electrodes being bridgeable by a freely movable conductor whereby said distributor switch operates in response to the attitude of the apparatus to establish and interrupt a plurality of circuits between said source and light emitting devices for energization of said light emitting devices either singly or in groups.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said supporting means comprises:

a printed circuit board, said board having conductors on both sides thereof, said conductors defining an intersecting pattern, the conductors on a first side of said board being all connected to a second polarity terminal of said source, the conductors on the second side of said board being connected to preselected of said distributor switch segmental electrodes, said board being provided with apertures whereby each of said light emitting devices may be connected to a conductor on each side of said board.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said housing cover member includes a design which is randomly illuminated by light generated by said devices.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said housing cover member includes a design which is randomly illuminated by light generated by said devices.

11. The apparatus for claim 9 wherein said switch means comprises:

a distributor switch, said switch having an active area of generally annular shape, said switch further having an annular electrode connected to a first polarity terminal of said battery and a plurality of arcuate shaped segmental electrodes respectively connected to preselected of said light emitting devices, the spaces between said annular electrode and said segmented electrodes being bridgeable by a freely movable conductor.

10. Apparatus for generating a varying lighted display comprising:

a plurality of electrically energized light emitting devices;

means for supporting said light emitting devices in an array, said supporting means being adapted to be received within an article of jewelry;

rechargeable battery means, said battery means including a battery and a receptacle whereby charging current may be delivered to said battery;

switch means for controlling the delivery of current from said battery to said light emitting devices, said switch means having a plurality of output terminals and operating in response to the attitude of the apparatus to establish and interrupt a plurality of circuits between said battery and devices whereby said devices may be energized singly or in groups; and

means for charging said battery means, said charging means including a source of charging current and a stand for said apparatus, said stand supporting said apparatus in an attitude which causes said switch means to interrupt the circuits to all of said light emitting devices, said charging means including an output connector which engages said battery means receptacle.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said movable conductor comprises:

a mass of mercury.