Jewelry lighting device

• US 5,519,591 A
• Filed: 05/19/1994
• Issued: 05/21/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles F. Mccrary
• Original Assignee: Charles F. Mccrary
• Inventors: McCrary, Charles F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gromada, Denise L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan B.
• Application Number:
  US08/245,875
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 362/32, 362/34, 362/84, 362/104, 362/806, 63/2, 63/12, 63/13, 63/14.1, 63/15, 63/26
• US Class Current: 362/571
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 15/0015 Illuminated or sound-producing jewellery
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 2/00 Non-electric light sources using luminescence using excitation by radioactivity G21H3/02, H01J65/06, H01J65/08; using excitation by an external electromagnetic field or by external corpuscular radiation H01J65/04; Light sources using electrochemiluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

A lighting device mounted within a jewelry setting which is directed at a facet of a gemstone to increase the brilliance and brightness of the gemstone. The lighting means is a low dispersion, focused beam of light which is directed at a facet of a gemstone so that the gemstone captures the light. In the preferred embodiment, the lighting source is radioluminescent or electroluminescent and uses various focusing means to focus the light from the lighting means. Fiber optic material may be used to direct light at the gemstone. The fiber optic material may contain dyes which absorb ambient light and cause the light to be directed in desired wave lengths at the gemstone. The fiber optic material may absorb light from the lighting means, as well as ambient light, to provide additional illumination in relatively high ambient light situations.

Claims

1. A jewelry lighting device, comprising:

a. a stone which is mounted in a jewelry setting; and

b. at least one fiber optic device which is attached to said jewelry setting and which is positioned externally to said stone, wherein said fiber optic device has a transverse length and comprises a dye contained within said fiber optic along said transverse length which absorbs light of a wavelength determined by said dye, and wherein said fiber optic device transmits light of said wavelength so absorbed along said transverse length of said fiber optic device, and said fiber optic device has at least one end from which said wavelength of light so absorbed is emitted, and wherein said end is positioned adjacent to said stone to direct light emitted from said end toward said stone.

2. A jewelry lighting device as described in claim 1, further comprising a tube having a continuous aperture therein and having a opening on each end which communicates with said aperture, wherein said tube is positioned to receive light emitted from said end of said fiber optic device, wherein said light is directed through said aperture of said tube and toward said stone so as to decrease dispersion of said light.

3. A jewelry lighting device, comprising;

a. a jewelry setting having a concave exterior surface;

b. a stone which is mounted within said jewelry setting; and

c. at least one fiber optic device which is attached to said jewelry setting adjacent to said concave exterior surface and which is positioned externally to said stone, wherein said fiber optic device has a transverse length and comprises a dye contained within said fiber optic which absorbs light of a wavelength determined by said dye, and wherein said fiber optic device transmits light of said wavelength so absorbed along said transverse length of said fiber optic device, and said fiber optic device has at least one end from which said wavelength of light so absorbed is emitted, and wherein said end is positioned adjacent to said stone to direct light emitted from said end toward said stone.

4. A jewelry lighting device as described in claim 3, further comprising a cover which partially covers exposed exterior surfaces of said fiber optic device.

5. A jewelry lighting device as described in claim 3, wherein said concave exterior surface is a metallic reflective surface.

6. A jewelry lighting device as described in claim 4, wherein said concave exterior surface is a metallic reflective surface.