Solar stepping stone

Abstract

A solar stepping stone comprises a housing having an upper surface, side walls and a lower surface, the housing defining a chamber. A solar energy collector is associated with the housing for collecting solar energy. A solar power storage device is provided in the chamber for receiving and storing solar energy received from the solar energy collectors. An illuminator for illuminating at least a portion of the upper surface of the solar stepping stone is contained in the chamber and is powered by solar energy stored by the solar power member.

1 . A solar stepping stone comprising:
 a housing having an upper surface, side walls and a lower surface, the housing defining at least one chamber;   solar energy collectors associated with the housing for collecting solar energy;   a solar power storage member in the chamber for receiving and storing solar energy received from the solar energy collectors; and   an illumination member for illuminating at least a portion of the solar stepping stone, the illumination member being powered by solar energy stored by the solar power member.   
   
   
       2 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the chamber comprises a recessed central cavity extending downwardly from the upper surface of the housing. 
   
   
       3 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a transparent or translucent cover over the chamber, the cover being substantially flush with the upper surface of the housing. 
   
   
       4 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the chamber and cover are configured to as to provide an airtight and waterproof sealed space. 
   
   
       5 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the upper surface has a decorative design thereon. 
   
   
       6 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the cover is tinted so as to have a specific color. 
   
   
       7 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the solar energy collector is formed so as to be adjacent the upper surface of the housing, the solar energy collector having a protective covering thereon to prevent damage from normal use of the solar stepping stone. 
   
   
       8 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the solar energy collector is formed around the periphery of the chamber. 
   
   
       9 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the solar energy collector is separated from the housing and connected to the solar power storage member by electrical connectors. 
   
   
       10 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the solar energy collector is located in an adjacent or proximal solar stepping stone and connected to the solar power storage member by electrical connectors. 
   
   
       11 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a light sensor for detecting ambient light conditions, the light sensor switching the illumination member off when ambient light conditions exceed a predetermined threshold. 
   
   
       12 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a manual on/off switch for activating or deactivating illumination member. 
   
   
       13 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a motion detector associated therewith for detecting proximal motion such that the illumination member will only be switched on when ambient motion is detected. 
   
   
       14 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a pressure sensor associated therewith for detecting proximal forces such that the illumination member will only be switched on when such forces is detected. 
   
   
       15 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the housing is comprised of a material selected from at least one of the following: resin, fiberglass, a resin and fiberglass mix, concrete, acrylics, plastics, aluminum or other metals, stone powder with resin, stone pebbles, slate or tile. 
   
   
       16 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a timer means for setting the periods for time when the solar stepping stone will be activated and deactivated respectively. 
   
   
       17 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the illumination is selected from at least one of the following: LED, light bulb. 
   
   
       18 . A solar stepping stone as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the illumination member illuminates at least a portion of the upper surface of the stepping stone. 
   
   
       19 . A method of illuminating an outdoor pathway comprising:
 arranging a plurality of solar stepping stones with respect to each other so as to be spaced along a surface of the pathway;   forming an illuminating member within a chamber contained within at least some of the solar stepping stones;   associating a solar energy collector with at least one solar stepping stone to collect solar energy during hours of sunlight;   storing the collected solar energy in a solar power storage member located in the chamber of the solar stepping stone;   selectively powering the illuminating member so as to provide illumination through a translucent or transparent lens formed in the upper surface of the solar stepping stone.   
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising the step of attaching a light sensor to the solar stepping stone so that the illuminating member will only be activated when ambient light conditions fall below a preset value.