Illuminated necklace

• US 5,477,433 A
• Filed: 04/01/1994
• Issued: 12/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen K. Ohlund
• Original Assignee: Stephen K. Ohlund
• Inventors: Ohlund, Stephen K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan B.
• Application Number:
  US08/221,762
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 362/103, 362/104, 362/108, 362/183, 362/391, 362/800, 362/806, 63/1.1, 63/2
• US Class Current: 362/104
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 15/0015 Illuminated or sound-producing jewellery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

An illuminated necklace is disclosed that includes a metallic chain separated into two chain portions. One end of each portion is connected to a pendant that includes an illuminated element, such as a lamp or LED. The other end of each portion is connected to a clasp component that includes a power source. As such, an electrical circuit is formed between the power source, through the first chain portion, through the illuminated element, through the second chain portion, and back to the power source. The chain comprises a plurality of interlocking, separate chain elements that are of such a size and shape that the movement of the chain elements with normal body movement causes the chain elements to move into and out of contact with each other. As such, the illuminated element flickers intermittently.

Claims

1. Illuminated jewelry, including

a decorative stone including a light emitting diode,

a clasp which may be engaged and disengaged, including a rechargeable battery powered by an electrical solar cell, said battery having positive and negative poles, and

a conductive, metallic connector attaching the stone to the clasp, said metallic connector having first and second portions, with the battery, decorative stone, and first and second portions of the connector being connected in series, so that electrical current flows from one pole of the battery through the first portion of the connector into the light emitting diode, and then back through the second portion of the connector to the other pole of the battery

said jewelry being in the form of a pendant where the conductive connector has first and second flexible, linear metallic chain portions,

said first chain portion having one end connected to one pole of the battery and another end connected to the light emitting diode, and

said second chain portion having one end connected to the other pole of the battery and another end connected to the light emitting diode,

said first and second chain portions each comprising a series of separate, interlocking chain elements which move into and out of contact with body movement to cause intermittent flickering of the light emitting diode.

2. The illuminated jewelry of claim 1 where the decorative stone is a quartz crystal.