Solar powered jewelry, adornment and fashion accessory

#The present invention relates generally to the jewelry and other personal and fashion accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to solar powered fashion accessories such as glow jewelry designed to replace standard plastic, throwaway glow items, party favors and other chemically powered accessories. The accessory item features several different colors and styles available in green, blue, and other colors and hues, and is capable of being installed within necklaces, bracelets, wristbands, charms, pendants, broaches, rings, earrings, helix piercing rings, loops and pins, and other similar items. The fashion accessory, such as jewelry, includes photocells for capturing solar light and light emitting diodes (“LED”) for illumination. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

#By way of background, people, especially at parties, beaches, social events, reveal parties, and on holidays or when participating in holiday events, such as Halloween, day of the dead celebrations, enjoy using and wearing glow sticks, glow necklaces, wristbands, and other items that can be illuminated to create a festive mode or to further accentuate the theme. Generally, such glowing accessories and jewelry are chemiluminescent containing chemical substances that are mixed to produce light and generate a colored glow. However, such accessories or jewelry are not reusable and are typically discarded after use creating additional and unnecessary waste. People are required to throw them away after chemiluminescence is exhausted. This is not only expensive but also requires people to carry multiple glowing items of the same type and regularly repurchase such items to participate in the next event or in prolonged duration events.

#Many glowing accessories are made from fluorescence and phosphorescence technology for illumination. However, such glowing accessories only glow for a short period of time and are unusable after the glow period has elapsed.

#The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the solar powered glowing article of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up perspective view of one potential embodiment of the solar rope string used in the glowing accessory of FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

#The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

#As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a glowing jewelry, adornment, fashion accessory, or the like, that is designed to be reusable without taking away from the functionality of disposable illumination items. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a glowing item that does not use any chemical substances for illumination. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved glowing wearable accessory item that is safe to wear by a user. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for glowing accessory that comes in various forms including necklaces, bracelets, wristbands, charms, pendants, broaches, rings, earrings, helix piercing rings, loops and pins, combinations, and other similar items. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved jewelry that can illuminate for longer periods and has a longer life than disposable items. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved illumination accessory item that is cost-effective, multipurpose and uses a free source of energy, such as solar energy, for providing power for illumination of the accessory.

#The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel illumination article. The illumination article comprises a light source for illuminating at least a portion of the article, and a battery for providing power to the light source. The battery is positioned in a clasp or other closure of the jewelry, and a plurality of photocells that are positioned in at least a portion of the jewelry for converting solar energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy is used by the light source for illumination. The article further comprises a plurality of crystals, design elements or beads and a sun catcher for creating a sparkling effect using the natural light impinging on the jewelry, as well as the artificial light provided by the light source.