Abstract:
A retractable navigation light mounts through a surface of an aquatic vehicle such as a boat. The navigation light, in the retracted position, is substantially flush with the surface to which it is mounted, thereby reducing clutter and tripping issues. The illuminated portion of the retractable navigation light, in the extended position, is elevated sufficiently as to position the light(s) above any obstruction such as a trolling motor. The illuminated portion locks in the extended position so as to not retract as the boat pounds against waves and unlocks with the push of a button when it is desired to retract the navigation lights. In some embodiments, the extension shaft on which the illuminated portion is mounted is sufficiently sturdy as to provide a safety handle should one slip on the deck of the boat.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to navigation lights for boats and more particularly to a retractable navigation light for boats. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Retractable cleats and other similar devices are widely used within boats for securing mooring lines and the like thereto. These retractable cleats typically include a base member, and a retractable cleat member that is telescopingly received within the interior of the base. 
         [0003]    Navigation lights are an important safety feature for all boats, especially when the boat is used during the evening hours or in inclement weather, where visibility by other boats is reduced. Navigation lights are required for all recreational boats. Required lights include a red light visible from the port side of the boat, a green light visible the starboard side of the boat and a white light such as a stern light. For safety reasons, the red (port) and green (starboard) must be visible from dead ahead to 112.5 degrees aft on each side and the white all-around light must be visible for a full 360 degrees. 
         [0004]    For many boats, such as flats boats, a trolling motor is often mounted on the bow. This trolling motor, as well as other obstructions, often blocks visibility of most gunnel mounted navigation lights. One solution to this problem is to raise the navigation lights to a height greater than the trolling motor. This is often done with a pole or other extension, raising the navigation lights around  12 - 18  inches above the deck or surface of the boat to clear the obstruction. 
         [0005]    A fixed pole can also raise a light above obstructions, but most fishing happens during daylight hours and the fixed pole will get in the way and cause a tripping/safety hazard. A removable pole is one solution to this problem, but this solution has several limitations. First, the removable pole is easy to misplace, lose, or drop overboard. Second, the pole must include electrical contacts to complete a circuit when the pole is installed. The electrical contacts often corrode, causing failure or sporadic operation, especially after exposure to salt-water. 
         [0006]    Another solution is a motorized retracting/extending light that uses a motor to extend a telescoping pole with navigation lights at the end. This solution reduces issues related to losing the pole and contacts, but introduces several other problems including reliability of the motor that performs the extending, excess cost, added weight of the extension mechanism, etc. One would not want to be out on a boat at night when the motor failed and the navigation light does not extend. 
         [0007]    What is needed is a manually extendable/retractable navigation light that is installed into the deck or gunnels of a boat. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A retractable navigation light mounts through a surface of a boat. The retractable navigation light, in the retracted position, is substantially flush with the surface/deck to which it is mounted, thereby reducing clutter and tripping issues. The an illumination section of the retractable navigation light, in the extended position, is elevated sufficiently as to position signal light above any obstruction such as a trolling motor, etc. The illumination section locks in the extended position so as to not retract as the boat pounds against waves and unlocks with the push of a button when it is desired to retract illumination section. In some embodiments, the extension shaft on which the light(s) are mounted is sufficiently sturdy as to provide a safety handle should one slip on the deck of the boat. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, a retractable/extendable boat light is disclosed including a stationary portion and a manually extendable/retractable portion. The stationary portion has at least one screw hole for accepting a fastener to mount the stationary portion in a hole of a surface of an aquatic vehicle. The stationary portion is stationary with respect to the aquatic vehicle (e.g. it moves as the aquatic vehicle/boat moves) and the stationary portion has a holder cavity and a shaft retaining section that are positioned such that, when mounted in the hole, the holder cavity and the shaft retaining section are below the surface of the aquatic vehicle. 
         [0010]    The manually extendable/retractable portion includes an extension shaft and an indicator portion. The extension shaft passes through and fits snuggly within the holder cavity of the stationary portion. The indicator portion is fixedly attached to a first end of the extension shaft and includes at least one lamp and at least one lens. The at least one lens allows light from the at least one lamp to exit the indicator portion. The indicator portion sized and shaped to fit within the holder cavity. 
         [0011]    The extension shaft includes a stop situated on an outer surface of an end of the extension shaft that is distal from the indicator portion. 
         [0012]    The extension shaft also includes a locking device that locks the extension shaft in an extended position wherein the indicator portion is positioned outside of the holder cavity and above the surface of the aquatic vehicle. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, a retractable/extendable boat light for mounting in a hole of a surface of an aquatic vehicle is disclosed. The retractable/extendable boat light includes a stationary portion and an manually extendable/retractable portion. The stationary portion has a fastener surface with at least one screw hole. The stationary portion is mounted to and stationary with respect to the aquatic vehicle. The stationary portion has a holder cavity and a shaft retaining section that are positioned such that, when mounted in the hole, the holder cavity and the shaft retaining section are below the surface of the aquatic vehicle. A bottom surface of the holder cavity includes a ramp. 
         [0014]    An extension shaft passes through and fits snuggly within the holder cavity of the stationary portion and an indicator portion is fixedly attached to a first end of the extension shaft. The indicator portion has at least one lamp and at least one lens, the at least one lens allowing light from the at least one lamp to exit the indicator portion. The indicator portion sized and shaped to fit within the holder cavity. 
         [0015]    A stop (e.g. a fixed peg) protrudes outwardly from the distal surface of the extension shaft and the stop contacts a lower surface of the shaft retaining section, thereby preventing the extension shaft from exiting the shaft retaining section. 
         [0016]    A locking peg and a release button are affixed to a first leg of a u-shaped spring and the u-shaped spring which is situated within the extension shaft such that the locking peg and the release button are urged outwardly through holes in a first side of the extension shaft by a force of the u-shaped spring wherein a second leg of the u-shaped spring pushes against a distal side of the extension shaft. As the indicator portion is pulled towards an extended position, the ramp engages with the release button, thereby deforming the u-shaped spring and moving both the release button and the locking pin inwardly with respect to the extension shaft until the release button and locking pin slide smoothly within the holder cavity. The release button and locking pin restore to their extended position after clearing a top surface of the holder cavity in which position the locking pin abuts the top surface of the holder cavity, thereby locking the extension shaft in the extended position until the release button is manually depressed for moving the extension shaft towards a retracted position. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, a retractable/extendable boat light for mounting in a hole of a surface of an aquatic vehicle is disclosed. The retractable/extendable boat light includes a stationary portion and an manually extendable/retractable portion. The stationary portion has a fastener surface with at least one screw hole and is mounted to and stationary with respect to the aquatic vehicle. The stationary portion has a holder cavity and a shaft retaining section that are positioned such that, when mounted in the hole, the holder cavity and the shaft retaining section are below the surface of the aquatic vehicle. A bottom surface of the holder cavity includes a ramp. 
         [0018]    The manually extendable/retractable portion includes an extension shaft and an indicator portion. The extension shaft passes through and fits snuggly within the holder cavity of the stationary portion. The indicator portion is fixedly attached to a first end of the extension shaft and has at least one lamp and at least one lens, the at least one lens allowing light from the at least one lamp to exit the indicator portion. The indicator portion sized and shaped to fit within the holder cavity. 
         [0019]    There is a stop which is a fixed peg that protrudes outwardly from the distal surface of the extension shaft. The stop contacts a lower surface of the shaft retaining section, thereby preventing the extension shaft from exiting the shaft retaining section. 
         [0020]    A locking peg and a release button are affixed to a first leg of a u-shaped spring and the u-shaped spring is situated within the extension shaft such that the locking peg and the release button are urged outwardly through holes in a first side of the extension shaft by a force of the u-shaped spring. A second leg of the u-shaped spring pushes against a distal side of the extension shaft. The ramp engages with the release button as the indicator portion is pulled towards an extended position, thereby deforming the u-shaped spring and moving both the release button and the locking pin inwardly with respect to the extension shaft until the release button and locking pin slide smoothly within the holder cavity. After clearing a top surface of the holder cavity, the release button and locking pin restore to their extended position the locking pin abuts a top surface of the holder cavity, thereby locking the extension shaft in the extended position until the release button is manually depressed for moving the extension shaft towards a retracted position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a retractable boat light in an extended and locked mode with the lamp cover removed showing the light source. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the retractable boat light in a partially extended mode. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the retractable boat light in a fully retracted mode. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cut-away view along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  of the retractable boat light showing an exemplary locking mechanism. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the retractable boat light in a partially extended mode and mounted to a boat. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. Throughout this description, the term “boat” refers to any aquatic vehicle of any size or type including, but not limited to, boats, yachts, jet skis, kayaks, canoes, a dingy, rafts, pontoon boats, etc. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a retractable boat light  10  in an extended and locked mode with the lamp covers  12 / 14  removed showing the light sources  16  will be described. The retractable boat light  10  includes a retractable/extendable portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22 / 24 / 26 / 28 / 40  and a stationary portion  31 . The stationary portion  31  is affixed to a deck, gunnel or other surface of an aquatic vehicle such as a boat  5  (see  FIG. 5 ). The indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  is mounted to an extension shaft  20  and includes a cover  12 , a base  18 , one or more lenses  14  and one or more lamps  16 . Each lamp  16  consists of one or more light emitting elements such as incandescent bulbs, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), florescent bulbs, cold-cathode florescent bulbs (CFLs) or any other light source. In some embodiments, a single lamp  16  provides sufficient light for one or more lenses  14  while in other embodiments, there is number of lamps  16  that corresponds to the number of lenses  14 . Any number of lenses  14  and lamps  16  is anticipated. For retractable/extendable navigation lights  10 , it is preferred, but not required, to include two lamps  16 , each having one or more light emitting elements. In such, there are two lenses  14 , both visible from a point directly in front of the boat  5  and the port side lamp  16  being visible from the port side and the starboard side lamp  16  being visible from the starboard side. Either the port side lens  14  and/or the port side lamp  16  is colored red while either the starboard side lens  14  and/or the starboard side lamp  16  is colored green. 
         [0029]    As shown in the example of  FIG. 1 , the base  18  of the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  is mounted to an extension shaft  20 , although in other embodiments, other portions of the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  are mounted to the extension shaft  20 , achieving the same purpose, that being holding the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  to the extension shaft  20 . In some examples, the extension shaft  20  and one or more components of the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 18 / 40  are molded or fabricated as one monolithic part. 
         [0030]    The stationary portion  31  is affixed to the boat  5 . It is preferred that the stationary portion  31  is fitted within a hole (not shown) made in a surface of the boat  5 , the hole preferably being just slightly larger than the outer dimensions of the holder cavity  34  and smaller than the outer perimeter dimensions of the fastener surface  38 . After the stationary portion  31  is placed in the hole, one or more fasteners (e.g. screws) are used to hold the stationary portion  31  to the surface of the boat  5 . For example, the screws pass through holes  32  in the fastener surface  38  and into/through the surface of the boat  5  as known in the industry. 
         [0031]    The stationary portion  31  has a shaft retaining section  36 , through which the extension shaft  20  passes. It is preferred that the shape and size of the cross section of the inner surface of the shaft retaining section  36  substantially matches the shape and size of the cross section of the extension shaft  20 . In such, the extension shaft  20  fits snuggly within the shaft retaining section  36  and is allowed to move in and out of the shaft retaining section  36  as the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  is extended or retracted. In one embodiment, the cross sectional shape of both the extension shaft  20  and the shaft retaining section  36  is oval or oval with flattened sides. This oval cross sectional shape prevents the extension shaft  20  from being rotated within the retaining section  36  and provides a move comfortable hand grip as opposed to a cross-sectional shape that has pointed edges (e.g. rectangular, triangular, etc.). For navigation lights, it is preferred that the extension shaft  20  not be rotatable with respect to the retaining section  36  to maintain the relationship of the red lamp/lens  16  to the port side and the green lamp/lens  16  to the starboard side. 
         [0032]    In a preferred embodiment, a flexible wire  17  connects the lamp(s)  16  with a source of power when illumination is desired. In some embodiments, there is no flexible wire  17  and the lamp(s)  16  is/are powered by a power source within the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  such as batteries (not shown). In such, it is also anticipated that a solar cell be located on the top surface of the indicator cover  12  for recharging of the power source. 
         [0033]    To facilitate lifting the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  out of the holder cavity  34 , finger grips  40  are provided on an upper surface of the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18  while finger spaces  42  are provided on the fastener surface  38 , allowing a user to position fingers beneath the finger grips  40  to lift the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  out of the holder cavity  34 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the retractable boat light  10  in a partially extended mode is shown. In this view, the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  is shown assembled and the lamps  16  (not visible) are illuminated. The exemplary locking peg  26 , release button  24  and stop  22  are visible. In operation, pressing the release button  24  causes the locking peg  26  to retract inwardly into the extension shaft  20 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  is pulled up, the extension shaft  20  passes through the shaft retaining section  36  until the release button  24  contacts the ramp  39  (see  FIG. 4 ). I some embodiments, the ramp  39  is just wide enough as to contact the release button  24  and/or locking peg  26 . In some embodiments, the ramp  39  is wider, for example, covering the entire internal radius of the shaft retaining section  36 . 
         [0035]    As the extension shaft  20  continues in the upward direction, the release button  24  is wedged inwardly by the ramp  39  and is held in an inward position by the inside surface  37  of the shaft retaining section  36  at least until the locking peg  26  engages with the ramp  39 , at which time the ramp  39  wedges the locking peg  26  inwardly into the extension shaft  20  until the extension shaft  20  completes the upward movement, at which both the release button  24  and the locking peg  26  clear the shaft retaining section  36  and both extend outwardly under spring tension of an internal spring  28  (see  FIG. 4 ). At this point, the stop  22  contacts the ramp  39  or bottom surface of the shaft retaining section  36 , preventing the extension shaft  20  from being further extended. Likewise, the locking peg  26  extends outward sufficiently from the extension shaft  20  and abuts an upper surface of the retaining section  36 , preventing the extension shaft  20  from retracting downward through the stationary portion  31  until the release button  24  is pressed, at which time the locking peg  26  responds by withdrawing inwardly, thereby letting the extension shaft  20  pass downwardly through the shaft retaining section  36 . Once the locking peg  26  is within the shaft retaining section  36 , the locking peg  26  abuts the inner surface  37  of the shaft retaining section  36 , thereby also holding the release button  24  in an inward position so that the release button  24  does not impede further retraction of the extension shaft  20 . Once both the locking peg  26  and the release button  24  clear the inner surface  37  of the shaft retaining section  36 , both extend outwardly from the extension shaft  20  by force of the spring  28 . Other locking/releasing mechanisms are anticipated including, but not limited to, movable flap members, detents, etc. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the retractable boat light  10  in a fully retracted mode is shown. In this view, the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18  is shown fully retracted and located completely within the holder cavity  34 . A top surface of the lamp cover  12  is substantially flush with the outer surface of the fastener surface  38 , thereby reducing the risk of one tripping over the retractable boat light  10  while in the retracted position. The locking peg  26 , release button  24  and stop  22  are shown, but not in use when in the retracted position. 
         [0037]    To pull the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  upward from the stationary portion  31 , one places a finger in one recess  42  and a thumb in the other recess  42 , squeezes to hold the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18  by the tabs  40 , and then pulls the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  upwardly out of the holder cavity  34  until the locking peg  26  engages as described above, holding the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 40  in the extended position. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a cut-away view of the retractable boat light  10  with an exemplary locking mechanism is shown. Although it is anticipated that in some embodiments the extension shaft  20  is of a solid core, it is preferred that the extension shaft  20  is of a hollow core for passing the power wires  17  and for housing the locking mechanism  24 / 26 / 28 . The locking mechanism  24 / 26 / 28  consists of a u-shaped spring  28  having a release button  24  and a locking pin  26  on one side of the spring such that pressing of the release button  24  deforms the spring  28  and, because the locking pin  26  is on the same leg of the spring  28 , the locking pin  26  moves in the same direction, inwardly towards the axis of the extension shaft  20 , similar to release buttons on a beach umbrella. As the retractable/extendable portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22 / 24 / 26 / 28 / 40  is extended, the release button  24  slides up against the ramp  39  which forces the release button  24  inwardly towards the axis of the shaft  20 , resulting in the spring  28  deforming and the locking pin  26  moving in the same direction, inwardly towards the axis of the extension shaft  20 . The inside surface  37  of the shaft retaining section  36  continues to hold the release button  24  in a depressed position until at least the locking pin  26  contacts the ramp  39 . At this point, the ramp  39  completely compresses the locking pin  26  and the locking pin  26  remains in the depressed position until it clears the inside surface  37  of the shaft retaining section  36 , at which time, both the locking pin  26  and the release button  24  are free and the spring moves the locking pin  26  and the release button  24  outwardly, away from the axis of the extension shaft  20 . With the locking pin  26  in a protruding position, the retractable/extendable portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22 / 24 / 26 / 28  is now locked in the extended position because the locking pin  26  rests against the top surface of the shaft retaining section  36 . To release, the release button  24  is depressed, deforming the spring  28  until the locking pin  26  retracts far enough to clear the top surface of the shaft retaining section  36  and the retractable/extendable portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22 / 24 / 26 / 28  is pushed (or falls) downwardly until the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18  rests within the holder cavity  34 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the retractable boat light  10  in a partially extended mode and mounted on a boat  5  is shown. Although there is no obstruction depicted in this view, it is anticipated that an obstruction such as a trolling motor is mounted on the tip of the bow of the boat  5 . In such, a typical flush-mount navigation light would not clear the obstruction and would create a visibility issue during low visibility conditions. The retractable boat light  10  lifts far enough off of the gunnel or other surface of the boat  5  to raise the indicator portion  12 / 14 / 16 / 18  high enough to clear the obstruction. In this, it is anticipated that various models of the retractable boat light  10  will have different length extension shafts  20  to clear different height obstructions and, when retracted, clear internal hull members. 
         [0040]    For certain boats  5 , especially fishing boats  5  (e.g. flats boats  5 ), fishermen often walk in all portions of the deck. In such, even if there are no obstructions to visibility of the retractable boat light  10 , it is advantageous to retract retractable boat light  10  during daylight hours to reduce the possibility of tripping, etc. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, the retractable boat light  10  is made of a sturdy material such as steel or stainless steel such that, the extension shaft  20  doubles as a handle which is useful in, for example, emergency situations. 
         [0042]    Although the retractable boat light  10  has been described with red and green navigation indicator lamps  16 , any color lamp is anticipated for any other application, including a white lamp  16  for mounting on the stern of a boat  5 . 
         [0043]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0044]    It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.