Illuminated stepping stone

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.

1 . An illuminated stepping stone comprising: 
 a block including a top surface;    at least one rod located within the block, said rod having a first end and a second end, said second end being visible from the top surface, said rod being capable of transmitting light from said first end to said second end;    at least one light source located within the block, positioned such that it will illuminate said first end, thereby illuminating said second end when said light source is illuminated;    and means for providing electrical power to the light source.    
     
     
         2 . The stepping stone of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a cavity within the block, said first end being adjacent to or within said cavity, and said light source being located within said cavity.    
     
     
         3 . The stepping stone of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means to electrically connect said light source to a second light source in a second illuminated stepping stone.    
     
     
         4 . The stepping stone of  claim 1 , in which said light source is comprised of an assembly with one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) spaced around a perimeter of the assembly, said LEDs being operably connected to the means for providing electrical power.  
     
     
         5 . The stepping stone of  claim 1 , in which said rod is made of a transparent or translucent plastic such as acrylic.  
     
     
         6 . The stepping stone of  claim 1 , in which said block is formed of cement.  
     
     
         7 . The stepping stone of  claim 1 , in which the second end of each rod is located within an opening in said top surface, there being one opening for each rod, said second end being even with said top surface.  
     
     
         8 . The stepping stone of  claim 1 , in which said top surface includes a plurality of raised portions to improve traction.  
     
     
         9 . The stepping stone of  claim 1 , in which one or more pieces of acrylic are inlaid into the top surface in physical contact with at least one second end.  
     
     
         10 . An illuminated stepping stone, comprising: 
 a block including a top surface and a cavity, said cavity being located within said block;    at least one rod located within the block, said rod having a first end and a second end, said rod being capable of transmitting light from said first end to said second end, said first end being within or adjacent to said cavity and said second end being visible from the top surface;    a light source located within said cavity, said light source being comprised of an assembly, at least one light-emitting diode (LED), there being an equal number of LEDs and rods, said light source being positioned such that each LED will illuminate said first end of one of said rods, thereby illuminating said second end when said light source is illuminated, said LED being operably connected to means for providing electrical power; and    means for connecting said light source to a second light source in a second illuminated stepping stone.    
     
     
         11 . The stepping stone of  claim 10 , in which said rod is made of a transparent or translucent plastic such as acrylic.  
     
     
         12 . The stepping stone of  claim 10 , in which said block is formed of cement.  
     
     
         13 . The stepping stone of  claim 10 , in which the second end of each rod is located within an opening in said top surface, there being one opening for each rod, said second end being even with said top surface.  
     
     
         14 . The stepping stone of  claim 10 , in which one or more pieces of acrylic are inlaid into the top surface in physical contact with at least one second end.  
     
     
         15 . The stepping stone of  claim 10 , in which said top surface is includes a plurality of raised portions to improve traction.  
     
     
         16 . The stepping stone of  claim 3  wherein a plurality of stones are connected in series.  
     
     
         17 . The stepping stone of  claim 3  wherein a plurality of stones are connected in parallel.  
     
     
         18 . The stepping stone of  claim 10  wherein a plurality of stones are connected in series.  
     
     
         19 . The stepping stone of  claim 10  wherein a plurality of stones are connected in parallel.  
     
     
         20 . An illuminated stepping stone, comprising: 
 a block including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a cavity, said cavity being located within said block, and said bottom surface having an opening to said cavity;    a housing located within said cavity, said housing including a perimeter with at least one hole on said perimeter;    at least one rod located within the block, said rod having a first end and a second end, said rod being capable of transmitting light from said first end to said second end, said first end being attached to one of said holes on said perimeter of said housing, said second end being visible from the top surface and even with the top surface;    a light source located within said housing, said light source being removable from said housing through said opening in said bottom surface, said light source being comprised of an assembly, at least one light-emitting diode (LED), there being an equal number of LEDs and rods, said light source being positioned such that each LED is in physical contact with said first end of one of said rods, thereby illuminating said second end when said light source is illuminated, said LED being operably connected to means for providing electrical power; and    means for connecting said light source to a second light source in a second illuminated stepping stone.