Abstract:
A pivoting rail mounted lighting system for boats which includes three separate portable housings and a light source located in these housings. Each light source being visible from outside the housing such that when the first housing is illuminated, a red colored light source is illuminated for rail mounting to the Port side of the vessel, when the second housing is illuminated, a green colored light source is illuminated for rail mounting to the Starboard side of the vessel, and when the third housing is illuminated, an All Around white light is illuminated for rail mounting to the portions of the vessels railing systems. A quick connect and release pivoting bracket is connected to the housings and is designed to releasably connect to multiple positions along boat railings and allow the light housings to be “pivoted” into the proper direction to display the correct angle of light.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present specification claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/949,535, filed Mar. 7, 2014 and entitled “RAIL MOUNTED SECONDARY (BACK UP) LIGHTING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS,” the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present application relates to pivoting rail mounted, externally wireless and portable boat lighting systems for use as primary or secondary or back up or for use in an emergency and methods of their use. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In various areas of the world, navigational lights are required for vessels, the requirements of which may depend on the size of the vessel. The requirements of navigational lights typically apply between sunset and sunrise or in low visibility conditions. For example, the United States Coast Guard requires power-driven vessels less than 39.4 feet in length to display red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least one mile away on a dark clear night. Unpowered vessels less than 23 feet long exhibit the same lights as for powered vessels less than 39.4 feet in length, if practical. Various other lighting requirements for vessels may be applicable, depending on the location. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In the first of three embodiments, a portable and externally wireless navigational lighting system includes a housing and a light source located in the housing and being visible from outside the housing such that when the light source is illuminated, the Marine Red color is displayed. A mount structure includes a quick connect and release pivoting bracket connected to the housing. The quick connect and release pivoting bracket is configured to releasably connect to and from a railing structure such as those used on the bow (Front), side and/or stern (Back) of boats. Once placed on the railing of the boat, the mounting structure may allow pivoting to more effectively display the light at the correct angle of visibility as set forth by local navigational law. The portable navigational lighting system is configured to display one of the first (Red) or second (Green) colors. In this embodiment, we will assume the Red or Port light. This light is specifically designed to quickly mount to the Port side railing of the boat for use as a primary or secondary light or back up light due to power failure or for use in an emergency where power to the primary navigation light has been lost. 
         [0005]    In the second of three embodiments, a portable and externally wireless navigational lighting system includes a housing and a light source located in the housing and being visible from outside the housing such that when the light source is illuminated, the Marine Green color is displayed. A mount structure includes a quick connect and release pivoting bracket connected to the housing. The quick connect and release pivoting bracket is configured to releasably connect to and from a railing structure such as those used on the bow (Front), side and/or stern (Back) of boats. Once placed on the railing of the boat, the mounting structure may allow pivoting to more effectively display the light at the correct angle of visibility as set forth by local navigational law. The portable navigational lighting system is configured to display one of the first (Red) or second (Green) colors. In this embodiment, we will assume the Green or Starboard light. This light is specifically designed to quickly mount to the Starboard side railing of the boat for use as a primary or secondary light or back up light due to power failure or for use in an emergency where power to the primary navigation light has been lost. 
         [0006]    In the third of three embodiments, a portable navigational lighting system includes a housing and a light source located in the housing and being visible from outside the housing such that when the light source is illuminated an All Around White Light is displayed which is visible from 360 degrees. A mount structure includes a quick connect and release bracket connected to the housing. The quick connect and release bracket is specifically configured to quickly releasably connect to and from a railing structure such as those commonly used on the Bimini (Top), Console (Middle) or Anchored areas (Back) of boats. This light is specifically designed to quickly mount to a Top railing of the boat for use as a primary or secondary 360 degree light or back up 360 degree light due to power failure or for use in an emergency where power to the primary 360 degree navigation light has been lost. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, a portable and externally wireless navigational lighting system may include a housing, a light source, a pin and lock system, a pivoting bracket, and a clamp mechanism. The light source may be located in the housing and visible through the housing when illuminated. The pin and lock system may include a shaft. The pivoting bracket may be releasably connectable to the housing at a first end and pivotally disposed around the shaft of the pin and lock system at a second end. The clamp mechanism may have walls defining an aperture disposed around and attached to the shaft of the pin and lock system. The clamp mechanism may be releasably attachable to a rail of a boat. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, method of using a portable and externally wireless navigational lighting system may include providing a housing, locating a light source in the housing, placing a lens over the light source, and providing a pin and lock system including a shaft. The light source may be visible through the housing when illuminated. The lens may externally illuminate at least an angle segment of light from the light source and control a direction of illumination. The method may further include releasably connecting a pivoting bracket to the housing at a first end and disposing the pivoting bracket around the shaft of the pin and lock system at a second end. The method may further yet include attaching a clamp mechanism to the shaft of the pin and lock system, releasably attaching the clamp mechanism to a rail of a boat, pivoting the pivoting bracket to a selected angle with respect to the rail and facing away from the boat, and locking, via the pin and lock system, the pivoting bracket in position at the selected angle. The clamp mechanism may have walls defining an aperture that may be disposed around the shaft of the pin and lock system. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment, method of using a portable and externally wireless navigational lighting system may include providing a housing, locating a light source in the housing, placing a lens over the light source, and releasably connecting the housing to a rail of a boat. The lens may externally illuminate at least an angle segment of light from the light source and control a direction of illumination. 
         [0010]    Each of the three embodiments and other embodiments above may include the ability to be or not be: waterproof, solar powered, and/or rechargeable, equipped with GPS, RFID capabilities or other location detecting devices for specific location capturing abilities, equipped with safety straps or used by remote control. 
         [0011]    These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a portable, secondary, rail mounted navigational lighting system used for the Port/Starboard side of a vessel according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom view of the portable, secondary, rail mounted navigational lighting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top plan view of the portable, secondary, rail mounted navigational lighting system of  FIG. 1  without a top cover; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates another bottom view of the portable, secondary, rail mounted navigational lighting system of  FIG. 1 ; without a cover or lens and focusing in on the pivoting bracket system and its key features; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top plan view of the pivoting bracket system of the portable, secondary, rail mounted navigational lighting system of  FIG. 1  without a light housing; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an embodiment of a portable, secondary, rail mounted navigational lighting system used for the All Around Light or 360 Degree Light according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a portable, secondary, rail mounted navigational lighting system used for the All Around Light or 360 Degree Light according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates a flow chart showing a method of making an embodiment of a portable, secondary, rail mounted navigational lighting system used for the Port/Starboard side of a vessel; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates a flow chart showing a method of making an embodiment of a portable, secondary, rail mounted navigational lighting system used for all-round lighting; stern lighting, and/or masthead lighting of a vessel; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a top plan view of a vessel having a first setup of lighting according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a top plan view of a vessel having an alternative second setup of lighting according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates a top plan view of another vessel having an alternative third setup of lighting according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Embodiments described herein are generally directed to rail mounted visibility systems used for navigation on recreational watercraft. The visibility systems include elements that increase the visibility of the recreational watercraft in low-visibility conditions, for example, when operating the recreational watercraft at morning, dusk, or night-time conditions or other low-light and/or low visibility conditions. The visibility systems may include marine navigational light sources that are attached to the recreational watercraft&#39;s railing system via a pivoting bracket system and actively emit and/or disperse light in a pattern corresponding to the navigational regulations. Embodiments of the visibility systems will be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. 
         [0026]    Some embodiments described herein are generally directed to visibility systems that include portable navigational lighting systems including navigational light schemes. The portable navigational lighting systems may include a housing that houses light sources, where the light sources comply with marine navigation regulations and/or color schemes. The navigational lighting systems can be removably attached to multiple areas along the vessel&#39;s railing system and pivoted to disperse navigational light to the proper angles as required by law. This allows for the navigational lighting system to be placed onto the vessel&#39;s railing system at anywhere between the front and center location down to the side middle location of the vessel&#39;s railing system and then pivoted to the correct angle to disperse the light to its proper direction as required by law. In embodiments, the light is dispersed or shines away from the boat. In other embodiments, the light is dispersed all-round the boat. In embodiments, as described in greater detail further below, the light sources described herein may be used as a sidelight, a sternlight, a masthead light, and/or an all-round light to disperse the light to its proper direction as required by law. In embodiments, as a sidelight, the light may be dispersed at an angle in a range of from about 110 degrees to about 120 degrees, for example, at about a 112.5 degrees angle; as a sternlight, the light may be dispersed at an angle in a range of from about 130 degrees to 140 degrees, for example, at a 135 degrees angle; as a masthead light, the light may be dispersed at an angle in a range of from about 220 to about 230 degrees, for example, at about a 225 degrees angle, and as an all-round light, the light may be dispersed at an about 360 degrees angle. In embodiments, for power-driven vessels of less than 39.4 feet in length, for example, the all-round light may combine the sternlight and masthead lights that may be required by law. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a portable, secondary navigational lighting system  10  includes a housing  12  that houses a light source and a Red or Green colored Marine Lens  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, one or more of the lights may produce light having this preselected Red or Green color. The colors of the light source may be used to comply with marine navigation regulations. Any suitable lighting source may be used, such as light-emitting diodes (LED). 
         [0028]    The housing  12  includes a base  16  and a cover  18  that is removably attached to the base  16 . The cover  18  may be a unitary configuration or may comprise one or more components that are releasably attached to the base  16 . The cover  18  may be formed of a transparent or translucent material, such as a plastic or glass, such that light from the light sources can be viewed from outside the portable navigational lighting system  10 . In some embodiments, the cover may be formed of tinted glass and/or plastic (e.g., red and green) that may provide the navigational color scheme. 
         [0029]    In the illustrated embodiment, an actuatable button  20  is provided that allows for turning the light sources on and off. In some embodiments, the portable navigational lighting system  10  may include a solar panel, GPS chip, use RFID characteristics or similar tracking device that can aid in the retrieval of specific location information if needed or if in an emergency or like situation where exact position of the vessel is needed. 
         [0030]    Referring also to  FIG. 1 , in the illustrated embodiment, a pivoting bracket  22  can be used to rotate the housing  12  to its proper angle to disperse light to the correct angles as by maritime law, specific to location. The pivoting bracket  22  may be provided for a wide range of adjustment so as to allow for pivoting to accommodate the placing of housing  12  to pivot correctly from the sides or front portions of the vessel&#39;s railing system or at points along the side railings, for example, at locations along a legal sideline location as may be set by law. A hand tightened pin and lock system  24  including a shaft (as shown in  FIG. 1  and as shaft  48  in  FIG. 5 ) allows for tightening of the housing  12  to releasably attach to and from multiple standard boat railing systems using the specially designed marine clamp mechanism  26  fitting railing sizes ½ inch to 3 inches in diameter. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the pivoting bracket  22  is releasably connectable or attachable the housing  12  at a first end and pivotally disposed around the shaft  48  of the pin and lock system  24  at a second end. In some embodiments, the hand tightened pin and lock system  24  allows for tightening of the housing  12  to releasably attach to and from multiple boat railing systems using the specially designed marine clamp mechanism  26  fitting railing sizes less than about ½ inch and greater than about 3 inches in diameter, such as about 4, 5 and 6 inches or greater. In embodiments, and as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the clamp mechanism  26  has walls defining an aperture that is disposed around and attached to the shaft  48  of the pin and lock system  24 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a safety line insertion loop  27  is built into housing  12  and available to allow for a safety strap  28  to be connected to the housing  12  so as to provide safe retrieval of the housing  12  if it is to fall from pivoting bracket  22 . This safety strap  28  may be made of multiple materials including, nylon, plastic, rubber, cloth or any other material suited for its purpose and may include a clip system on one or both ends to secure the strap to the housing  12  and/or to a vessel&#39;s railing system. Also shown is a clamp mechanism  26  sized for insertion within the marine clamp mechanism  26  to allow for additional sizing assistance and a better grip on boat railing systems. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the pivoting bracket  22  and the hand tightened pin and lock system  24  are illustrated from another top angle with the cover  18  removed to show more clearly the internal configuration of the housing  12  that includes its marine light source within such as a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  42  extending through apertures of a front structure  44 . Also shown in a pair of batteries  40  to power and illuminate the LEDs  42  of the portable, secondary navigational lighting system  10 . The batteries  40  may be, for example, a pair of AAA batteries, though other suitable or like power supplies may be used. The housing  12  may accommodate a built in solar panel and/or the housing  12  may have rechargeable solar power capabilities. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows the pivoting bracket  22  and the hand tightened pin and lock system  24  with the lens  14  and the cover  18  removed. The pivoting bracket  22  and the hand tightened pin and lock system  24  is shown from yet another angle to show more clearly the specific configuration used to allow for pivoting of the housing  12  and its marine light source within. Front portions of the LEDs  42  are shown that have extended and projected through apertures of the front structure  44 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows a top plan view of the pivoting bracket  22  and the hand tightened pin and lock system  24  of the portable, secondary, rail mounted navigational lighting without the housing  12 . The clamp mechanism  26  inserted within the marine clamp mechanism  26  is also shown.  FIG. 5  also shows a grip structure  46  shaped to releasably attach to an underside of the housing  12  (not shown). And a screw and bolt assembly of shaft  48  to assist with the releasable locking of the hand tightened pin and lock system  24  is shown. In embodiments, any suitable or like assembly or mechanism to assist with the releasable locking of the hand tightened pin and lock system  24  may be used. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6A  illustrates another embodiment that consists of a separate All Around Housing  30  which has its own light source and a specially designed All Around Lens  32  which disperses light from the light source in 360 degrees so to be seen from every direction, including from above.  FIG. 6B  illustrates an alternative embodiment that consists of a separate All Around Housing  30  which has its own light source and a specially designed All Around Lens  32  which disperses light from the light source in 360 degrees so to be seen from every direction, including from above. Referring one again to  FIG. 6A , the All Around Lens  32  consists of multiple magnification points  34  which redirect light from the light source to all directions. These magnification points may vary in size. The All Around Lens  32  can be turned on and off by depressing down the actual lens itself. There are multiple Magnification Streaks  36  built into the All Around Lens  32  to help further disperse light into all directions. 
         [0036]    Still referring to  FIG. 6A , the All Around Housing  30  is equipped with an All Around Housing Clip System  38  which is used to secure the All Around Housing to the multiple types of railing systems used by marine, nautical, or other like vessels or vehicles. This All Around Housing  30  can be made of multiple materials including plastic, silicone or rubber, which can be stretched to adjust for and attach to the multiple sizes, styles and shapes of the many railing systems used by marine vessels. The terms All Around and All Round may be used interchangeably within this disclosure. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a flow chart shows a method of using an embodiment of a portable, secondary, rail mounted navigational lighting system used for the Port/Starboard side of a vessel, such as using the portable, secondary navigational lighting system  10  embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5  as described above. Referring to  FIG. 7 , and as described with respect to  FIGS. 1-5  above, in step  700 , the housing  12  is provided. In step  702 , the light source such as LEDs  42  is located in the housing  12 . The light source  42  is visible through the housing  12  when illuminated. In step  704 , the lens  14  is placed over the light source  42  that externally illuminates at least an angle segment of the light from the light source  42  and controls the direction of illumination. In step  706 , the pin and lock system  24  is provided and includes the shaft  48 . In step  708 , the pivoting bracket  22  is releasably connected to the housing at the first end of the pivoting bracket  22 . In step  710 , the pivoting bracket  22  is disposed around the shaft  48  of the pin and lock system  24  at a second end of the pivoting bracket  22 . The second end is opposite the first end. In step  712 , the clamp mechanism  26  is attached to the shaft  48  of the pin and lock system  24 . The clamp mechanism  26  has walls defining an aperture, and the aperture is disposed around the shaft  48  of the pin and lock system  24 . In embodiments, the clamp mechanism is releasably attached to the rail or rail structure of a boat. The pivoting bracket  22  is pivoted to a selected angle with respect to the rail or rail structure of the boat. At this angle, the pivoting bracket  22  faces away from the boat. The pivoting bracket  22  is locked into place with the pin and lock system  24  at the selected angle. For example, the pin and lock system  24  includes a threaded screw and bolt assembly as shown in  FIG. 5  that may tighten against the pivoting bracket  22  to secure it in place at the selected angle and to restrict further pivoting of the pivoting bracket  22 . Other suitable and/or like releasable locking assemblies are within the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0038]    In embodiments, and as described above, when the light source such as LEDs  42  disperses a red light, the clamp mechanism  26  is releasably connected as a side light to a port side rail structure of the boat, a front rail structure of the boat, or at any point between a back-most port side rail structure point as may be set by law, for example, and the front rail structure. In embodiments, when the light source such as LEDs  42  disperses a green light, the clamp mechanism  26  is releasably connected as a side light to a starboard side rail structure of the boat, the front rail structure of the boat, or at any point between a back-most starboard side rail structure point as may be set by law, for example, and the front rail structure. In embodiments, with either a green or a red light being dispersed as a sidelight, LEDs  42  in combination with lens  14  may disperse or shine a 112.5 degrees angle segment of light. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a flow chart shows a method of using an embodiment of a portable, secondary, rail mounted navigational lighting system used for all-round lighting; stern lighting, and/or masthead lighting of a vessel, such as using the All Around Housing  30  embodiment as described above and shown in  FIG. 6 . In step  800 , the housing  30  is provided. In step  802 , the light source as shown in  FIG. 6  is located in the housing  30 . In step  804 , the lens  32  is placed over the light source. The lens  32  externally illuminates at least an angle segment of light form the light source and controls the direction of illumination. In embodiments, the housing  30  is releasably connected to a rail of a boat. For example, and as described above with respect to  FIG. 6 , clip system  38  may secure housing  30  to the rail or like structure of the boat, such as to a top rail structure of the boat. 
         [0040]    In embodiments, the lens  32  and the light source are together a lens and light source assembly. When the lens and light source assembly are mounted in a vertical direction, the lens  32  illuminates an angle segment of 360 degrees of light from the light source on a horizontal plane for use as an all around or all-round light. When the lens and light source assembly are mounted in a horizontal direction and usable as a sternlight, for example, the lens  32  illuminates an angle segment in a range of from about 130 degrees to about 140 degrees of light, such as, for example, 135 degrees of light, from the light source. 
         [0041]    In embodiments, a fitted lens insert is placeable within the lens  32  and over the light source of  FIG. 6 , for example, to create a fitted light source assembly and to restrict external illumination of up to a blocked first angle of light. The blocked first angle of light may be, for example, 135 degrees such that the lens  32  illuminates an angle segment of 225 degrees of light. For example, 225 degrees of light is externally illuminated and viewable rather than a full 360 degrees of light as 135 degrees of the light from the light source is now blocked by the fitted lens insert. In embodiments, such a fitted light source assembly is usable as a masthead light. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A-10  illustrates vessels B 1  and B 2 , in embodiments, the light sources described herein may be used as a sidelight, a sternlight, a masthead light, and/or an all-round light to disperse the light to its proper direction as required by law. As a red sidelight R or green sidelight G on a respective port side P or starboard side S, the light may be dispersed at a respective angle A 1  or A 2  in a range of from about 110 degrees to about 120 degrees, for example, at about a 112.5 degrees angle. As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 10 , the red sidelight R and green sidelight G may be adjacently positioned at the front bow of the boat. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 9B , the red sidelight R and the green sidelight G may be spaced part from one another and positioned on respective opposite port and starboard sides P and S of a vessel such as the vessel B 1 . In embodiments, the red sidelight R and the green sidelight G may be positioned anywhere on respective port rails or starboard rails, such as, for example, between the positions shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , such as at exemplary positions R 1  and G 1  or R 2  and G 2 . As a sternlight WS ( FIGS. 9A and 9B ), the light may be a white light dispersed at an angle A 4  in a range of from about 130 degrees to 140 degrees, for example, at a 135 degrees angle. As a masthead light WM ( FIGS. 9A and 9B ), the light may be a white light dispersed at an angle A 3  in a range of from about 220 to about 230 degrees, for example, at about a 225 degrees angle. Referring to  FIG. 10 , as an all-round light WA, the light may be a white light dispersed at an angle A 5  that is about a 360 degrees angle. In embodiments, for power-driven vessels of less than 39.4 feet in length, for example, the all-round light WA of  FIG. 10  may combine the sternlight light WS and the masthead light WM shown in  FIGS. 9A-9B . In embodiments, the all-around light WA may be located top and center of a vessel. 
         [0043]    The above-described portable and externally wireless navigational lighting systems can be used to meet navigational lighting requirements at various locations around the world. The portable and externally wireless navigational lighting systems can be quickly and easily removably attached to multiple positions along a vessel&#39;s railing system and pivoted to disperse navigational light at the proper angles. In some embodiments, the portable and externally wireless navigational lighting systems may be used in secondary or back up situations and may be used to provide emergency flashing and S.O.S. capabilities. For example, two or more flashing settings may be provided along with an S.O.S. setting or other Morse code setting. In some embodiments, a customizable Morse code or other code setting may be provided. In these embodiments, a controller and memory may be provided for creating and saving customized settings. In some embodiments, customizable settings may be generated using a computing device, such as a smart phone, tablet or laptop with suitable mobile application software. 
         [0044]    While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.