Illuminated stepping stone

a technology of illumination and stepping stones, which is applied in the direction of lighting and heating equipment, traffic signals, roads, etc., can solve the problems of reducing the amount of visible light, affecting the weight of the stone, and reducing the attractiveness of objects, so as to achieve energy-saving effects

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-12-28
BENAVENTE ROY C
View PDF20 Cites 15 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention provides an illuminated stepping stone including a block having a top surface. At least one rod is embedded within the block, the rod having a first end and a second end, the rod being positioned such that the second end is visible from the top surface. A light source is located within the block and placed close enough to the first end to illuminate the first end. When electricity is supplied to illuminate the light source, the second end of the rod will also be illuminated. The block is preferably cement and the rods are preferably acrylic. The light source is preferably a bright, long-lasting, and energy efficient LED. In the preferred embodiment, the light source of a first stone may be connected to the light source of a second stone, thereby allowing several stones to be connected in series or in parallel.
[0007] When the block is formed of cement or a similar material, with the acrylic rods embedded therein, the stepping stone is as strong and durable as a standard stone, and yet provides attractive lighting. Pieces of acrylic material may be inlaid into the top surface of the stone in physical contact with the second end of a rod so that the acrylic on the surface will also be illuminated. The block may be of virtually any shape. The top surface may have grooves or raised portions to create an attractive pattern or to provide traction.
[0008] The light source may be secured within the block via screws, for example, to allow it to be removed for maintenance. The light source may be connected to a timer, switch, photovoltaic sensor, motion detector, pressure sensor, or sound sensor to illuminate and extinguish the lighted stones according to predetermined conditions. The light source may contain a voltage transformer or regulator or additional circuitry to improve functioning of the stone.

Problems solved by technology

However, the prior art objects that are intended primarily for landscaping often utilize a hollow brick or stone which affects the amount of weight the stone is able to support.
Some of the prior art objects have a transparent surface so that the light within the device is visible from the top, but this surface may often be obscured by dirt, leaves, or other common debris when used in an outdoor setting, thus reducing the amount of visible light and making the object less attractive.
Furthermore, prior art light sources require more power in order for the light to be clearly visible.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Illuminated stepping stone
  • Illuminated stepping stone
  • Illuminated stepping stone

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an illuminated stepping stone (10) includes a cement block (11) having a top surface (12), the top surface having a plurality of holes (13). Acrylic rods (14) are embedded within the block (11), each rod having a first end (15) and a second end (16), the second end (16) visible through the holes (13) in the top surface (12). A cavity (17) is located within the block. A light source (18) having an assembly (19) and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (20) on a perimeter of the assembly (19) is positioned within the cavity (17) such that each LED (20) is in contact with the first end (15) of each rod (14). A power cord (21) supplies electricity.

[0018] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclos...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

PUM

No PUM Login to view more

Abstract

The present invention provides an illuminated stepping stone including a block having a top surface. At least one rod is embedded within the block, the rod having a first end and a second end, the rod being positioned such that the second end is visible from the top surface. A light source is located within the block and placed close enough to the first end to illuminate the first end. When electricity is supplied to illuminate the light source, the second end of the rod will also be illuminated. The block is preferably cement and the rods are preferably acrylic. The light source is preferably a bright, long-lasting, and energy efficient LED. In the preferred embodiment, the light source of a first stone may be connected to the light source of a second stone, thereby allowing several stones to be connected in series or in parallel.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH: [0001] N / A. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to illuminated landscaping products and more particularly to an illuminated stepping stone. PRIORITY [0003] The applicant claims priority from a Provisional Patent Application filed on Jun. 14, 2005, under Application No. 60 / 690,447. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] The prior art includes illuminated stepping stones, bricks, and other products for landscaping and paving applications. However, the prior art objects that are intended primarily for landscaping often utilize a hollow brick or stone which affects the amount of weight the stone is able to support. Some of the prior art objects have a transparent surface so that the light within the device is visible from the top, but this surface may often be obscured by dirt, leaves, or other common debris when used in an outdoor setting, thus reducing the amount of visible light and making the object less attractive. Further...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to view more
Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E01F9/00
CPCE01F9/065F21Y2101/02F21W2131/109F21V33/006E01F9/559F21Y2115/10
Inventor BENAVENTE, ROY C.
Owner BENAVENTE ROY C
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Try Eureka
PatSnap group products