Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Marine
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-16
2001-01-09
Quach, Y. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Marine
C362S540000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170969
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Boating regulations in many states have certain minimal requirements that fishing boats and the like have running lights that can be seen for up to a distance of a mile or more. In a conventional open fishing boat, where the operator sits in the rearward portion of the boat to attend an outboard motor or the like, the running light for such a boat is typically mounted in the immediate area where the operator is sitting.
One of the great shortcomings of existing boat running lights is that in order for them to be bright enough to be seen at long distances, the brightness of the lights substantially diminishes the night sight of the operator. This means that the operator cannot easily see the bow of the boat and the area of the forward portion of the boat immediately surrounding the bow. This creates a dangerous situation and invites accidents such as when the operator would drive the boat into an obstacle in the water simply because the vision of the obstacle immediately in front of the boat could not be seen because of the glare of the running lights.
It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a running light of an open boat which can be easily seen at a long distance, but which will not diminish the night sight of the boat's operator.
A further object of this invention is to provide a boat light which is inexpensive in manufacture and operation, and which can be easily replaced as required.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A boat light assembly for a boat having a hull with forward and rearward end, and a power means for propelling the boat on the rearward end, and a boat operator stationed adjacent the rearward end, has an assembly mounted on the rearward end of the hull and comprises an upstanding rod comprised only of an acrylic material. At least a portion of the outer surface of the rod is textured or diffused. A shrouded light source is mounted adjacent the lower end of the rod to permit a diffused light to extend longitudinally through the rod for peripheral visibly through the textured outer surface of the rod, and to provide peripheral subdued lighting for the area of the boat without retarding the night vision of a boat operator positioned in the operator's station. The rod is completing uncovered by any shielding material to provide exterior visibility from any direction or vantage portion surrounding the rod.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2207117 (1940-07-01), Collins
patent: 3497981 (1970-03-01), Tyne
patent: 3641332 (1972-02-01), Reick et al.
patent: 4274127 (1981-06-01), Beck et al.
patent: 4422719 (1983-12-01), Orcutt
patent: 4733332 (1988-03-01), Yamashita et al.
patent: 5339225 (1994-08-01), Wiggerman
patent: 5383103 (1995-01-01), Pasch et al.
patent: 1390255 (1975-04-01), None
Quach Y.
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
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