Solar wind chime
View Patent ↗A solar wind chime includes a chime and a striker suspended from a body. A solar energy system is carried by the body and includes a solar energy collection system configured to recharge a rechargeable electrical power source. An electrical subsystem conductively couples to the rechargeable electrical power source.
1. A solar wind chime, comprising:
a body;
an ornamental object suspended from the body;
a chime and a striker suspended from the ornamental object;
a solar energy system comprising:
a rechargeable electrical power source; and
a solar energy collection system for recharging the rechargeable electrical power source;
a lighting system conductively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power source;
a switch carried by the body for selectively switching the lighting system on and off by controlling a discharge of the rechargeable electrical power source; and
a photo cell for activating the lighting system;
wherein the rechargeable electrical power source is a battery; and
a platform is suspended from the ornamental object;
wherein the chime and the striker are suspended from the platform.
2. The solar wind chime of claim 1 , wherein the striker is a decorative glass ball.
3. The solar wind chime of claim 1 , wherein the lighting system is disposed at least partially within the ornamental object and illuminates the ornamental object in a back lit direction.
4. The solar wind chime of claim 1 , wherein the lighting system is partially carried by the striker and illuminates the chime in a front lit direction.
5. The solar wind chime of claim 1 , wherein the solar energy system is disposed at least partially within the body.
6. A solar wind chime, comprising:
a body;
a plurality of chimes suspended from the body;
at least one decorative globe suspended from the body;
a solar energy system carried at least partially by the decorative globe, the solar energy system comprising:
a rechargeable electrical power source; and
a solar energy collection system for recharging the rechargeable electrical power source; and
a lighting system conductively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power source and disposed at least partially within the decorative globe for illuminating the decorative globe;
wherein the rechargeable electrical power source is an interchangeable battery.
7. The solar wind chime of claim 6 , wherein the lighting system includes at least one light emitting diode.
8. The solar wind chime of claim 6 , wherein the lighting system includes at least one multi-color light emitting diode.
9. The solar wind chime of claim 6 , further comprising:
a single switch carried by the body for switching the lighting system on and off; and
a photo cell for activating the lighting system.
10. The solar wind chime of claim 6 , further comprising:
a decorative wire structure disposed about the decorative globe;
wherein the decorative wire structure remains external to the decorative globe.