US20120059619A1

US20120059619A1 - Precious stone testing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20120059619A1
Application number: US12/931,948
Authority: US
Inventors: Xiuling Zhu; Gary Bruce Peckham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-09
Filing date: 2011-02-14
Publication date: 2012-03-08
Also published as: US8947111B2; US20120007619A1; CN201765202U

Abstract

A precious stone testing apparatus includes a hand held casing receiving a microprocessor therein, a testing head, and an indicating arrangement provided at the hand held casing and electrically linked with the microprocessor. The testing head includes a testing probe for contacting a tested object, a UV light source for UV light generation, and a thermal conduction unit electrically linked to the microprocessor for determining a thermal conductivity of the tested object through the testing probe, wherein the thermal conduction unit and the UV light source are independently operated for evaluating the tested object, The indicating arrangement includes a plurality of indicating lights to be activated in responsive to the corresponding thermal conductivity of the tested object so as to classify the tested object.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a precious stone tester, and more particular to a precious stone testing apparatus, which is a multi-functional precious stone testing apparatus for identifying different precious stone, such as diamond, moissanite, and metal, by means of thermal conductivity thereof.
2. Description of Related Arts
A unity gemstone tester is considered as one of the convenient tools for gemstone identification. However, the unity gemstone tester has several drawbacks. The user must be proficient in the relevant skill and techniques to operate the gemstone tester and with a relatively practical understanding of the theoretical principles of gemstone because the gemstone tester must be adjusted or regulated its parameters during testing operation. The testing errors will be obtained due to the insufficient sensitivity of the gemstone tester or the improper operation of the gemstone tester. In addition, the gemstone tester can only test a particular gemstone. Therefore, it is a hassle for the user to carry different gemstone tester in order to test various kinds of gemstones. Furthermore, the gemstone tester can only identify whether the gemstone is real, however, the gemstone tester cannot measure the fluorescence of gemstones through the visible light. In other words, the user must carry another tester in order to measure the fluorescence of gemstones.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a precious stone testing apparatus, which is a portable, multi-functional precious stone testing apparatus with relative high sensitivity for identifying different precious stone and for measuring the fluorescence of precious stone.
Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a precious stone testing apparatus, which comprises a hand held casing comprising an upper casing and a lower casing, a microprocessor received in the casing, a power source received in the casing and electrically linked to the microprocessor, a power switch provided at an outer surface of the casing to electrically link with the power source, and an indicating arrangement provided at the outer surface of the casing to electrically link with the microprocessor. The precious stone testing apparatus further comprises a testing head provided at a front end of the casing, wherein the testing head comprises a probe outer casing, a probe retaining casing, a testing probe, a UV light source, and a thermal conduction unit. The thermal conduction unit is operatively coupled with one end of the testing probe. The probe retaining casing, having a conical shape, is extended from the probe outer casing, wherein the probe retaining casing has two through slots spacedly formed at a vertex portion thereof. Accordingly, one end of the testing probe is operatively extended from the thermal conduction unit while an opposed end of the testing probe is extended out of the probe retaining casing through one of the through slots. In other words, a portion of the testing probe is exposed out of the probe retaining casing to form a contact probe of the thermal conduction unit. The UV light source, which is a LED UV light generator, is aligned with another through slot, wherein the UV light source has a light head extended out of the respective through slot such that UV light generated by the UV light source is projected out of the respective through slot. The probe retaining casing is retained by the probe outer casing in order retain the probe retaining casing at the front end of the casing. The thermal conduction unit is electrically linked to a circuit board of the microprocessor while the testing probe is also electrically linked to the circuit board of the microprocessor. The indicating arrangement is electrically linked to the circuit board of the microprocessor.
Accordingly, the testing head further comprises a LED control circuit, which is embodied as a circuit board, positioned between the probe outer casing and the probe retaining casing, wherein the LED control circuit is electrically linked to the microprocessor. A plurality of LEDs, preferably six LEDs, are electrically coupled at the LED control circuit and are coaxially located at the surrounding wall of the probe retaining casing.
A UV light switch is provided at the casing to electrically link to the LED control circuit, wherein the UV light switch is arranged to control the LED of the UV light source for generating UV light.
The testing head further comprises an indicating element, which is made of transparent material and is formed in ring shape, coupled between the probe outer casing and the probe retaining casing at a position that the LEDs are encircled within the indicating element.
The indicating arrangement comprises a plurality of precious stone indicating lights which are moissanite indicating light, diamond indicating light, and metal indicating light, wherein the moissanite indicating light, the diamond indicating light, and the metal indicating light are electrically linked to the microprocessor.
The indicating arrangement further comprises a status indicating light, and testing indicating light, and a buzzer, wherein the status indicating light, the testing indicating light, and the buzzer are electrically linked to the microprocessor.
The precious stone testing apparatus further comprises a touch activation unit, which is made of low-powered activation metal, for activating the microprocessor to operate the thermal conductive unit through finger contact. The touch activation unit comprises a first touch control provided at the upper casing at a position close to the testing head, and a second touch control is provided at the lower casing at a position close to the testing head. In other words, the first and second touch controls are provided at two opposite sides of the hand held casing. The first and second touch controls are electrically linked to the microprocessor.
The casing further comprises a battery compartment provided therein, and a compartment cover selectively enclosing the battery compartment, such that a battery as a DC power source, is replaceably disposed in the battery compartment and is enclosed by the compartment cover.
Alternatively, the power source can be an external AC power supply. The precious stone testing apparatus further comprises an external power terminal provided at the outer surface of the hand held casing, and a power circuit received in the casing to electrically link to the external power terminal. A power switch is provided at the casing to electrically link to the power circuit to control the power circuit in an on-and-off manner.
Accordingly, the moissanite indicating light, diamond indicating light, and metal indicating light are LED lights.
The present invention has the following advantages. First, the precious stone testing apparatus of the present invention is a multi-functional precious stone testing apparatus for identifying different precious stone. The moissanite indicating light, diamond indicating light, and metal indicating light will be switch on correspondingly when the tested object is moissanite, diamond, and metal respectively. Therefore, the user will not require carrying different devices for testing various gemstones. Second, the LEDs are positioned between the probe outer casing and the probe retaining casing, wherein the LEDs can generate different colors for different testing results. Preferably, three different colors are generated for moissanite, diamond, and metal indications respectively. In addition, the activation of the LEDs is synchronized with the activation of the indicating lights. In other words, the LEDs and the indicating lights will be activated to be switched on at the same time. Third, after the precious stone is identified whether it is real or not, the fluorescence of precious stone can be measure via the UV light source for further evaluation of the precious stone. Fourth, the buzzer 9 will be correspondingly activated for generating sound effect, such as a voice message of the precious stone, to further ensure the classification of the precious stone. In other words, the activation of the buzzer 9 is synchronized with the activation of the indicating lights. Fifth, the precious stone testing apparatus further comprises a battery compartment for receiving battery therein and an external power terminal for connecting external power supply, such that the present invention provides different forms of electrical power connection in order to operate the precious stone testing apparatus.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a precious stone testing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the precious stone testing apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the testing head of the precious stone testing apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the precious stone testing apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, a precious stone testing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the precious stone testing apparatus comprises a hand held casing which comprises an upper casing 2 and a lower casing 1, a microprocessor received in the casing, a power source received in the casing and electrically linked to the microprocessor, a power switch 17 provided at an outer surface of the casing to electrically link with the power source, and an indicating arrangement provided at the outer surface of the hand held casing to electrically link with the microprocessor. The precious stone testing apparatus further comprises a testing head 3 provided at a front end of the casing, wherein the testing head comprises a probe outer casing 3, a probe retaining casing 4, a testing probe 19, a UV light source 20, and a thermal conduction unit. The thermal conduction unit is operatively coupled with one end of the testing probe 19. The probe retaining casing 4, having a conical shape, is extended from the probe outer casing 3, wherein the probe retaining casing 4 has two through slots spacedly formed at a vertex portion thereof. Accordingly, one end of the testing probe 19 is operatively extended from the thermal conduction unit while an opposed end of the testing probe 19 is extended out of the probe retaining casing 4 through one of the through slots. In other words, a portion of the testing probe 19 is exposed out of the probe retaining casing 4 to form a contact probe of the thermal conduction unit. The UV light source 20, which is a LED UV light generator, is aligned with another through slot, wherein the UV light source 20 has a light head extended out of the respective through slot such that UV light generated by the UV light source 20 is projected out of the respective through slot. The probe retaining casing 4 is retained by the probe outer casing 3 in order retain the probe retaining casing 4 at the front end of the casing. The thermal conduction unit is electrically linked to a circuit board of the microprocessor while the testing probe 19 is also electrically linked to the circuit board of the microprocessor. The UV light source 20 is electrically linked to the circuit board of the microprocessor.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the testing head further comprises a LED control circuit 6, which is embodied as a circuit board, positioned between the probe outer casing 3 and the probe retaining casing 4, wherein the LED control circuit 6 is electrically linked to the microprocessor. A plurality of LEDs, preferably six LEDs, are electrically coupled at the LED control circuit 6 and are coaxially located at the surrounding wall of the probe retaining casing 4. The testing head further comprises an indicating element 5, which is made of transparent material and is formed in ring shape, coupled between the probe outer casing 3 and the probe retaining casing 4 at a position that the LEDs are encircled within the indicating element 5. In other words, the indicating element 5 will be lightened up by the LEDs of the LED control circuit 6. A UV light switch 7 is provided at the hand held casing to electrically link to the LED control circuit 6, wherein the UV light switch 7 is electrically linked to the UV light source 20 and is arranged to control the LED of the UV light source for generating UV light.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the indicating arrangement comprises a plurality of precious stone indicating lights which are moissanite indicating light 10, diamond indicating light 11, metal indicating light 12, status indicating light 14, and testing indicating light 15, and a buzzer 8. Accordingly, the moissanite indicating light 10, diamond indicating light 11, and metal indicating light 12 are LED lights. The moissanite indicating light 10, the diamond indicating light 11, the metal indicating light 12, the status indicating light 14, the testing indicating light 15, and the buzzer 8 are electrically linked to the microprocessor.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the precious stone testing apparatus further comprises a first touch control 18 provided at the upper casing 2 at a position close to the testing head, and a second touch control 16 is provided at the lower casing 1 at a position close to the testing head. In other words, the first and second touch controls are provided at two opposite sides of the hand held casing. The first and second touch controls 18, 16 are electrically linked to the microprocessor.
As shown in FIG. 2, the casing further comprises a battery compartment provided therein, and a compartment cover 9 selectively enclosing the battery compartment, such that a battery as a power source, is replaceably disposed in the battery compartment and is enclosed by the compartment cover 9. The precious stone testing apparatus further comprises an external power terminal 13 provided at the outer surface of the casing, and a power circuit received in the casing to electrically link to the external power terminal 13. A power switch 17 is provided at the casing to electrically link to the power circuit to control the power circuit in an on-and-off manner.
As shown in FIG. 4, in order to operate the precious stone testing apparatus of the present invention, the user is able to dispose the battery, preferably a 9V battery, in the battery compartment or to electrically connect an external power supply at the external power terminal 13. Once the electrical power is connected, the user is able to switch on the power switch 17 such that the status indicating light 14 is switched on. In other words, the precious stone testing apparatus is ready for testing a tested object. For right-handed user, the thumb and the index finger of the user are arranged to contact at the first and second touch contacts 18, 16 respectively in order to activate the microprocessor by sending contacting-activation signal thereto. Once the microprocessor receives the contacting-activation signal, the testing indicating light 15 is switched on. At the same time, the testing probe 19 is arranged to contact with the tested object in order to determine the thermal conductivity of the tested object, wherein the thermal conduction unit will receive the thermal conductivity signal from the testing probe in responsive to the thermal conductivity of the tested object and will send the thermal conductivity signal to the microprocessor, such that the microprocessor will analysis the thermal conductivity signal in order to switch one of the indicating lights. When the tested object is diamond, the diamond indicating light 11 is switched on while the LEDs at the LED control circuit 6 are correspondingly lighted up with the matching color. When the tested object is moissanite, the moissanite indicating light 10 is switched on while the LEDs at the LED control circuit 6 are correspondingly lighted up with the matching color. When the tested object is metal, the metal indicating light 12 is switched on while the LEDs at the LED control circuit 6 are correspondingly lighted up with the matching color. Therefore, the user is able to classify the tested object through the indicating lights and colors of the LEDs at the LED control circuit 6. Also, the buzzer 9 will be correspondingly activated for generating sound effect, such as a voice message of the precious stone, during testing operation to further ensure the classification of the precious stone. After the precious stone is identified whether it is real or not, the user is able to measure the fluorescence of precious stone in order to determine the value of the precious stone. In other words, the thermal conduction unit and the UV light source are independently operated for evaluating the tested object. The user is able to actuate the UV light switch 7 to switch on the UV light source 20 for generating UV light, so as to measure the fluorescence of precious stone.
One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A precious stone testing apparatus, comprising:

a hand held casing receiving a microprocessor therein;

a testing head, which is provided at a front end of said hand held casing, comprising a testing probe for contacting a tested object, a UV light source positioned adjacent to said testing probe for UV light generation, and a thermal conduction unit electrically linked to said microprocessor for determining a thermal conductivity of said tested object through said testing probe, wherein said thermal conduction unit and said UV light source are independently operated for evaluating said tested object.

2. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprising an indicating arrangement provided at said hand held casing and electrically linked with said microprocessor, wherein said indicating arrangement comprises a plurality of indicating lights to be activated in responsive to said corresponding thermal conductivity of said tested object so as to classify said tested object.

3. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein said indicating lights comprise moissanite indicating light, diamond indicating light, and metal indicating light which are electrically linked to said microprocessor for indicating said tested object as moissanite, diamond, and metal respectively.

4. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 3, wherein said indicating lights further comprise status indicating light and testing indicating light which are electrically linked to said microprocessor for indicating a status of said microprocessor and testing operation of said microprocessor respectively.

5. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 4, wherein said indicating arrangement further comprises a buzzer provided at said hand held casing and electrically linked with said microprocessor for generating sound effect during testing operation.

6. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said testing head further comprises a LED control circuit and a plurality of LEDs electrically coupled at said LED control circuit for generating a light effect corresponding to said indicating lights.

7. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 3, wherein said testing head further comprises a LED control circuit and a plurality of LEDs electrically coupled at said LED control circuit for generating a light effect corresponding to said indicating lights.

8. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 5, wherein said testing head further comprises a LED control circuit and a plurality of LEDs electrically coupled at said LED control circuit for generating a light effect corresponding to said indicating lights.

9. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said testing head further comprises a probe outer casing extended from said front end of said hand held casing and a probe retaining casing extended from said probe outer casing to retain said testing probe in position, wherein said probe retaining casing, having a conical shape, has two through slots spacedly formed at a vertex portion thereof and arranged in such a manner that a portion of said testing probe is exposed out of said probe retaining casing through one of said through slots to form a contact probe of said thermal conduction unit, wherein a light head of said UV light source is alignedly extended out of another said through slot for generating UV light therethrough.

10. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 5, wherein said testing head further comprises a probe outer casing extended from said front end of said hand held casing and a probe retaining casing extended from said probe outer casing to retain said testing probe in position, wherein said probe retaining casing, having a conical shape, has two through slots spacedly formed at a vertex portion thereof and arranged in such a manner that a portion of said testing probe is exposed out of said probe retaining casing through one of said through slots to form a contact probe of said thermal conduction unit, wherein a light head of said UV light source is alignedly extended out of another said through slot for generating UV light therethrough.

11. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 8, wherein said testing head further comprises a probe outer casing extended from said front end of said hand held casing and a probe retaining casing extended from said probe outer casing to retain said testing probe in position, wherein said probe retaining casing, having a conical shape, has two through slots spacedly formed at a vertex portion thereof and arranged in such a manner that a portion of said testing probe is exposed out of said probe retaining casing through one of said through slots to form a contact probe of said thermal conduction unit, wherein a light head of said UV light source is alignedly extended out of another said through slot for generating UV light therethrough.

12. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 11, wherein said testing head further comprises an indicating element, which is made of transparent material and is formed in ring shape, coupled between said probe outer casing and said probe retaining casing at a position that said LEDs are encircled within said indicating element, such that when said LEDs are activated for generating light effect, said indicating element is lightened up by said LEDs.

13. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprises a touch activation unit for activating said microprocessor to operate said thermal conductive unit, wherein said touch activation unit comprises a first touch control and a second touch control provided at two opposite sides of said hand held casing at a position close to said testing head and electrically linked to the microprocessor in order to activate said microprocessor by means of user's fingers contact.

14. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 8, further comprises a touch activation unit for activating said microprocessor to operate said thermal conductive unit, wherein said touch activation unit comprises a first touch control and a second touch control provided at two opposite sides of said hand held casing at a position close to said testing head and electrically linked to the microprocessor in order to activate said microprocessor by means of user's fingers contact.

15. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 12, further comprises a touch activation unit for activating said microprocessor to operate said thermal conductive unit, wherein said touch activation unit comprises a first touch control and a second touch control provided at two opposite sides of said hand held casing at a position close to said testing head and electrically linked to the microprocessor in order to activate said microprocessor by means of user's fingers contact.

16. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 13, further comprising a UV light switch provided at said hand held casing to electrically link said UV light source to control said UV light source such that said thermal conduction unit and said UV light source are independently operated.

17. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 14, further comprising a UV light switch provided at said hand held casing to electrically link said UV light source to control said UV light source such that said thermal conduction unit and said UV light source are independently operated.

18. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 15, further comprising a UV light switch provided at said hand held casing to electrically link said UV light source to control said UV light source such that said thermal conduction unit and said UV light source are independently operated.

19. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a battery compartment provided in said hand held casing for receiving a battery therein and an external power terminal provided at an outer surface of said hand held casing for electrically connecting with an external power supply.

20. The precious stone testing apparatus, as recited in claim 18, further comprising a battery compartment provided in said hand held casing for receiving a battery therein and an external power terminal provided at an outer surface of said hand held casing for electrically connecting with an external power supply.