GB2304267A

GB2304267A - Jewellery in the form of traffic-lights

Info

Publication number: GB2304267A
Application number: GB9516784A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Price
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-08-16
Filing date: 1995-08-16
Publication date: 1997-03-19
Also published as: GB9516784D0

Abstract

An item of jewellery (10) comprises a support portion (12 a ) with mounted thereon LEDs comprising a red light emitting means (14), an amber light emitting means (16) and a green light emitting means (18) together with a power source (22, not shown) and a control means (20, not shown) adapted to switch the three light emitting means on and off to simulate traffic control lights. The item of jewellery may be a brooch, earring or pendent.

Description

ITEM OF JEWELLERY The invention relates to an item of jewellery.

According to a first aspect of the invention an item of jewellery is provided which comprises a support portion with mounted thereon a red light emitting means, an amber light emitting means, a green light emitting means, a power source and a control means adapted to switch the three light emitting means on and off to simulate traffic control lights.

The item of jewellery according to the first aspect of the invention provides the advantage that it is visually striking, particularly in poorly lit areas.

Preferably the item of jewellery further comprises a switch adapted to control the supply of power to the control means. The red, amber and green light emitting means nay be light emitting diodes. The power supply may comprise one or more batteries.

The support portion is preferably substantially rectangular and planar and may be formed from or coated with a precious metal.

According to a second aspect of the invention an earring is provided which comprises an item of jewellery according to the first aspect of the invention.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates an item of jewellery according to the invention from the front; Figure 2 illustrates the item of Figure 1 from the rear; Figure 3 illustrates the item of Figure 1 from the side; and Figure 4 schematically illustrates an electronic circuit for incorporation in the item of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, an item of jewellery 10 comprises a substantially planar rectangular element 12, of approximately 38mm by l9mm, on a front face 12a of which are mounted three light emitting diodes (LEDs) 14, 16, 18 which are adapted to emit red, amber and green light respectively. The three LEDs are arranged in a straight line located substantially along the long axis of the rectangular element 12, and thus resemble the operative portion of traffic lights. Preferably the rectangular element 12 is constructed from, or wholly or partially plated with, a precious metal such as silver, gold or platinum.

Referring now also to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the item 10 further comprises an electronic circuit 20 and a power supply 22, in the form of one or more batteries, all of which are mounted on a rear face 12b of the rectangular element 12. The circuit 20 comprises a chip 24 and various discrete components; first, second and third resistors 26, 28 and 30 respectively, first and second capacitors 32 and 34 respectively and a switch 36. The resistors 26 to 30 have resistances of 470k , 10k and 100 respectively whilst the capacitors 32 and 34 both have a capacitance of 100nF.

The various components are connected together as illustrated in Figure 4 to provide, in a known manner, a standard traffic light sequence of switching on and off of the LEDs 14 to 18. As will be clear, the sequence thus provided may be provided by any other appropriate means as an alternative to the circuit 20 illustrated.

The item of jewellery 10 described above may be used to form an earring by the addition to the upper edge of the rectangular element 12 of an ear-wire or other appropriate ear-engaging portion (not shown). Thus a pair earrings may be provided, each of which comprises an item of jewellery 10. Alternatively, the item of jewellery 10 may be formed into a brooch by the addition to the rear 12b of the rectangular portion 12 of a pin (not shown), or into a pendant by the addition to the upperedge of the rectangular portion 12 of a loop (not shown) and a chain through the loop

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An item of jewellery comprises a support portion with mounted thereon a red light emitting means, an amber light emitting means, a green light emitting means, a power source and a control means adapted to switch the three light emitting means on and off to simulate traffic control lights.
2. An item of jewellery according to claim 1 wherein it further comprises a switch adapted to control the supply of power to the control means.
3. An item of jewellery according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the red, amber and green light emitting means comprise light emitting diodes adapted to emit light of the respective colour.
4. An item of jewellery according to any preceeding claim wherein the power source comprises one or more batteries.
5. An item of jewellery according to any preceeding claim wherein the support portion is substantially rectangular and planar.
6. An item of jewellery according to any preceeding claim wherein the support portion is formed from a precious metal.
7. An item of jewellery according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the support portion is wholly or partially coated with a precious metal.
8. An item of jewellery substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. An earring which comprises an item of jewellery according to any preceeding claim.