Navigation light system and method

• US 6,637,915 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2001
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James P. Von Wolske
• Original Assignee: James P. Von Wolske
• Inventors: von Wolske, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S.
• Application Number:
  US09/982,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20020044449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 362/477, 362/540, 362/511, 362/520, 362/521, 362/551, 340/984, 340/985
• US Class Current: 362/477
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 45/00 Arrangements or adaptations of signalling or lighting devices arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; life-buoys, -belts, -jackets, -suits or the like, characterised by signalling means B63C9/20; lighting devices or systems therefor F21L, F21S
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 45/02 the devices being intended to illuminate the way ahead or other areas of environments
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 45/04 the devices being intended to indicate the vessel or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames

Abstract

A navigation light system for a watercraft including an accessory light located at the bow or the stern that operates as a masthead or stern light, respectively, and that is located relative to the hull perimeter and shear line of the hull to reduce the glare perceived by an occupant of the watercraft. The glare is further reduced by the use of suitable masks to control the horizontal and vertical beam spread sectors of emitted light to minimize glare as perceived by an occupant of the watercraft. The accessory light may include a fiber optic to an annunciator panel. The accessory light may be mounted to an appurtenance, such as a railing or pulpit or the like. An adjustable eyeball light fixture that serves as the accessory light. A docking light modified to include an accessory lamp for operating as a masthead or stern light.

Claims

1. A navigation light system comprising one or more white accessory lights located at the bow of a watercraft, each said accessory light emitting light outwardly from the watercraft and being masked to control the horizontal and vertical beam sectors of emitted light from illuminating the watercraft causing glare to an operator of the watercraft.

2. The navigation light system of claim 1, further comprising a fiber optic positioned to convey a visual signal from at least one of the one or more accessory lights to an annunciator panel.

3. The navigation light system of claim 1, wherein the watercraft has a hull with a perimeter and wherein each said accessory light is located along the perimeter of the hull of the watercraft.

4. The navigation light system of claim 3, wherein the perimeter forms a shear line of the hull, and wherein each said accessory light is located at the shear line.

5. The navigation light system of claim 3, wherein the perimeter forms a shear line of the hull, and wherein each said accessory light is located above the shear line.

6. The navigation light system of claim 3, wherein the perimeter forms a shear line of the hull, and wherein each said accessory light is located below the shear line.

7. The navigation light system of claim 1, wherein each said accessory light includes an unlensed lamp.

8. The navigation light system of claim 1, wherein the watercraft has a hull and wherein each said accessory light is located within a recess in the hull of the watercraft.

9. The navigation light system of claim 8, wherein the recess forms at least one predefined radial sector for directing light from the accessory light located within the recess generally outward from the hull of the watercraft.

10. The navigation light system of claim 1, further comprising:

a hull;

an appurtenance mounted to the hull; and

each said accessory light being mounted to the appurtenance.

11. The navigation light system of claim 10, wherein the appurtenance comprises a bow railing and wherein each said accessory light is formed with at least one predefined radial sector for directing light from the accessory light generally outward from the hull of the watercraft.

12. The navigation light system of claim 10, wherein the appurtenance comprises a pulpit and wherein each said accessory light is mounted to the pulpit.

13. The navigation light system of claim 12, wherein each said accessory light is formed with at least one predefined radial sector for directing light from the accessory light generally outward from the hull of the watercraft.

14. The navigation light system of claim 1, wherein each said accessory light comprises:

an eyeball light fixture, configured to receive a light source, that includes a base with an outer rim and an inner rim against which rests a ball and wherein the ball is secured by a retaining ring on its opposite side relative to the inner rim.

15. The navigation light system of claim 14, wherein the eyeball light fixture includes sector delimiters integral to the ball.

16. The navigation light system of claim 14, wherein the eyeball light fixture includes an unlensed lamp.

17. The navigation light system of claim 14, wherein the eyeball light fixture includes a fiber optic mounted thereon to convey a visual signal from the light fixture to an annunciator panel.

18. The navigation light system of claim 1, wherein the one or more accessory lights comprise first and second accessory lights located on either side of the watercraft.

19. The navigation light system of claim 18, wherein the first and second accessory lights collectively operate as a masthead light with at least a 225 degree horizontal spread.

20. The navigation light system of claim 18, wherein the first and second accessory lights are provided within a single masthead light fixture with at least a 225 degree horizontal spread.

21. A navigation light system for a watercraft having a stern with first and second opposite corners, the navigation light system including a first accessory light located at the first corner and a second accessory light located at the second corner, the first and second accessory lights each operating as stern lights and each being masked to control the horizontal and vertical beam spread sectors of emitted light to minimize glare perceived by an occupant of the watercraft and to maximize conspicuity.

22. The navigation light system of claim 21, wherein the first and second accessory lights collectively operate as a stern light.

23. The navigation light system of claim 21, wherein the first and second accessory lights are stern lights.

24. The navigation light system of claim 21, wherein the watercraft has a hull with a perimeter and wherein the first and second accessory lights are located along the perimeter of the hull of the watercraft.

25. The navigation light system of claim 24, wherein the perimeter forms a shear line of the hull, and wherein the accessory lights are located at the shear line.

26. The navigation light system of claim 24, wherein the perimeter forms a shear line of the hull, and wherein the accessory lights are located above the shear line.

27. The navigation light system of claim 24, wherein the perimeter forms a shear line of the hull, and wherein the accessory lights are located below the shear line.

28. The navigation light system of claim 21, wherein the watercraft has a hull and wherein the accessory lights are each located within corresponding recesses in the hull of the watercraft.

29. The navigation light system of claim 28, wherein each recess forms at least one predefined radial sector for directing light from the corresponding accessory light generally outward from the hull of the watercraft.

30. The navigation light system of claim 21, further comprising:

a hull;

an appurtenance mounted to the hull; and

each accessory light mounted to the appurtenance.

31. The navigation light system of claim 30, further comprising:

the appurtenance comprising a stern railing; and

first and second light fixtures, each mounted to the stern railing at the first and second corners, and each formed with at least one predefined radial sector for directing light from an accessory light located within the light fixture generally outward from the hull of the watercraft.

32. The navigation light system of claim 30, further comprising:

the appurtenance comprising first and second masts mounted at the first and second corners at the stern of the hull, respectively; and

first and second light fixtures, each mounted to a corresponding one of the first and second masts, each light fixture formed with a predefined radial sector for directing light from an accessory light located within the lamp fixture generally outward from the hull of the watercraft.

33. The navigation light system of claim 21, further comprising first and second fiber optics positioned relative to the first and second accessory lights, respectively, to convey a visual signal from the accessory light to an annunciator panel.

34. The navigation light system of claim 21, wherein each of the first and second accessory lights comprise:

an eyeball light fixture, configured to receive a light source, that includes a base with an outer rim and an inner rim against which rests a ball and wherein the ball is secured by a retaining ring on its opposite side relative to the inner rim.

35. The navigation light system of claim 34, wherein the eyeball light fixture includes sector delimiters integral to the ball.

36. The navigation light system of claim 34, wherein the eyeball light fixture includes an unlensed lamp.

37. The navigation light system of claim 34, wherein the eyeball light fixture includes a fiber optic mounted thereon to convey a visual signal from the light fixture to an annunciator panel.