Abstract:
The present invention is an illuminating dock bumper for attachment to either a dock or a dock vehicle, comprising an elongate, forwardly projecting parabolic arch, which is of uniform substantially-arched cross-section; and an elongate structural tension member laterally extending between the lateral extremities of the parabolic arch, the structural tension member comprising a planar rear surface about which the structural tension member and thereby the bumper is secured to the dock or the dock vehicle, the structural tension member comprising an elongate, forwardly projecting, protective housing of uniform substantially-arched cross-section disposed on the front surface thereof and along the length thereof, the protective housing for receiving an elongate light source therewithin.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/911,389 filed Dec. 3, 2013. The entire contents of the above application are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of dock bumpers. More specifically, the present invention relates to dock bumpers that increase visibility when docking a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Dock bumpers are used to protect the docking vehicle, the dock, and any object it is attached to. In weather scenarios when visibility is greatly reduced such as in complete darkness, fog, and/or rain it is crucial the operator of the docking vehicle can properly see the dock in any condition. 
     Traditionally, docks are fitted with high powered, inefficient flood lights inundating the area with an excessive amount of light attempting to provide adequate visibility. Commonly, this lighting scenario is inadequate since these lights that produce high lumens create very dark shadows, can warp the perception of a space and will be rendered useless in inclement weather. 
     PRIOR ART 
     An application is needed were the light is emitted around the dock, outlining the dock-able face. There have been a few attempts in the prior art to meet this need, for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,074 to Reinhardt disclosing a boat bumper with a light for illumination. However, Reinhardt is limited to only provide light in a single direction. This directional light source limits the range in which the bumper is visible; as a result the bumper disclosed therein can easily be missed or blocked. In addition, the bumper disclosed therein is a standard bumper with a cavernous slit running in the front where the light is to be inserted and as such the design does nothing for the light emitting towards the docking vehicle creating a harsh strip of light directly into the eyes of the operator of the docking vessel. Additionally, there is minimum protection for the light source on the front face of the bumper disclosed therein where the bumper will come into contact with the docking vessel, leaving the fundamental element, the light exposed and in a vulnerable location to be easily damaged. 
     Similar issues arise in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,472 to Tufte disclosing an illuminated bumper assembly having an elongated light source for emitting light rays and an elongated bumper for carrying the elongated light source wherein the light source is in a vulnerable location to become damaged. Due to this weakness the author proposed a bumper mounted separate from the light source in the illuminated bumper assembly. This requires additional labor to mount the bumper and light source. Additionally, the bumper will block light preventing an even distribution of light. 
     Marine and automotive bumpers are designed to protect the vehicle when it comes in contact with another object. A bumper on a dock is the key component in preventing damage to both, the docking vehicle and the dock. While the operator is attempting to dock it is crucial the operator can properly see both the extents of the vehicle and the outline of the dock. An illuminated dock bumper will provide ambient light to the surrounding surfaces as well as provide a clear, distinguished line of illumination around the perimeter of the dock. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to address several challenges in previous attempts to illuminate dock surroundings. The present invention discloses an integrally formed, light altering bumper designed to amplify amounts of visible light from a self-contained, integrated light source. The present invention is an illuminating dock bumper for attachment to either a dock or a dock vehicle, comprising an elongate, forwardly projecting parabolic arch, which is of uniform substantially-arched cross-section; and an elongate structural tension member laterally extending between the lateral extremities of the parabolic arch, the structural tension member comprising a planar rear surface about which the structural tension member and thereby the bumper is secured to the dock or the dock vehicle, the structural tension member comprising an elongate, forwardly projecting, protective housing of uniform substantially-arched cross-section disposed on the front surface thereof and along the length thereof, the protective housing for receiving an elongate light source therewithin. The parabolic arch and the structural tension member may be integral with one another. 
     The light altering bumper may further comprise a light amplifying lobe that may be adjusted to direct the light source in different directions. In the preferred embodiment, the light altering bumper is used on a boat or other marine vessel and uses upper and lower mounting lobes to protect the boat or other objects they are attached to when the bumper comes in contact with the dock or other objects. The internal lighting source will illuminate the bumper in times of darkness, inclement weather, or low visibility. Further, this lighting source will also illuminate the top of the dock or other object that the vessel is approaching. 
     The light altering bumper is generally formed from a translucent (opaque), rubbery material or any other material that allows the bumper to absorb impacts while harnessing the non-visible light and creating visible light. This glowing affect will illuminate the entire perimeter of a dock or other objects it is attached to providing a clear indication of where the docking boat or other marine vessel should be docked. Since some light is still allowed to pass through the bumper, it will also help to illuminate the top of the dock or other objects it is attached to and any objects, watercrafts or otherwise, that are positioned adjacent to the bumper. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 . Illustrates a sectional perspective of the light altering bumper of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2 . Illustrates a cross section view of the light altering bumper of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3 . Illustrates a section perspective of the light altering bumper attached to a dock. 
         FIG. 4 . Illustrates a cross sectional perspective of the light altering bumper of the present invention with the light amplifying lobe embodiment with light source directed downward. 
         FIG. 5 . Illustrates a cross sectional perspective of the light altering bumper of the present invention with the light amplifying lobe embodiment with light source directed downward and out. 
         FIG. 6 . Illustrates a cross sectional perspective of the light altering bumper of the present invention with the light amplifying lobe embodiment with light source directed upward. 
         FIG. 7 . Illustrates a sectional perspective of an alternative embodiment of the light altering bumper of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the preferred embodiment of the light altering bumper of the present invention is formed from a translucent (opaque) polymer which will help to amplify the visible effects of light. Light will be reflected inside the material and diffused to create a glowing affect using indirect diffused light like a fluorescent tube as shown in further detail in  FIG. 3 . If the material was not translucent, something more transparent, light will pass through the bumper uninterrupted and remain invisible to the naked eye and be useless. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the light altering bumper is attached to an object using the top mounting lobe  14 . A parabolic arch  30  may form the general shape of the bumper to help distribute any impacts the bumper may experience. The parabolic arch  30  has been used in architecture since the Romans and is still used today is structures for its&#39; incredible ability to disperse forces. At the end of the top mounting lobe  14  is a chamfered angle cut  10  decreasing the rate of change from the dock surface to the top of the bumper, minimizing the possibility of an individual catching an edge and tripping. Molded handgrips  16  provide users with an added amount of surface area to grab without slipping off the smooth and slippery material. The outer surface of the parabolic arch  30  comprises at least one, elongate, grip  16  of uniform solid substantially semi-circular cross-section extending along the length thereof, the at least one grip integral with the parabolic arch. At least one molded handgrip  16  is disposed on the upper portion of the parabolic arch  30 , which is between the middle and the upper lateral extremity of the parabolic arch  30 . A structural tension member  32  is opposite the parabolic arch  30  and sits mounted against an object as shown in further detail in Fig and the structural tension member  32  parabolic arch  30  may be integral with one another. The structural tension member  32  comprises an elongate thorough gap disposed along the length thereof; the elongate gap for providing access to the light source  46 . 
     A layer of a high reflective paint backing  34  may be applied to the vertical face of the light altering bumper or alternatively part or the entire structural tension member  32  may be molded from a solid white plastic. 
     A protective housing  18  surrounds a sealed internal housing  20 , which is located adjacent to the structural tension member  32  and at the mid point opposite the parabolic arch  30 . The protective housing  18  comprises a linear concave light refractor  26  disposed thereon, the linear concave light refractor  26  comprising a centrally-disposed, uniform, elongate concave depression extending along the length of the protective housing. The protective housing  18  may be opaque, using the same material or a more translucent plastic may be employed allowing for a greater amount of light to pass through to be altered. This housing has a housing access flap  22 . There is a gap  28  formed below the housing access flap  22  and between the housing flap  22  and the structural tension member  32 . Along the inner surface of the parabolic arch  30  comprises a linear bell-shaped light reflector  25  disposed thereon, the linear bell-shaped light reflector  24  comprising a backwardly-projecting, solid elongate member of uniform, substantially semi-circular cross-section; the linear bell-shaped light reflector  24  extending the length of the parabolic arch  30 . 
     At opposite ends of the bumper are the top mounting lobe  14  and lower mounting lobe  38  where the bumper will be fastened directly to the dock. An elongate, substantially rectangular mounting lobe  14  extends perpendicularly or in line with the top lateral extremity of the structural tension member  32 ; the mounting lobe  14  about which, the bumper is attached over a horizontal surface. If the upper mounting lobe  14  is in line with the lateral extremity of the structural tension member  32  forming a U-shape then the bumper will be mounted to only a single directional surface. Alternatively, an elongate, substantially rectangular mounting lobe  14  extends downwardly from the bottom lateral extremity of the structural tension member  32 ; the mounting lobe about which, the bumper is attached to a vertical surface. The mounting lobe  14  comprises a forwardly-projecting, elongate member of uniform substantially semi-circular cross-section extending along the length thereof; the lateral extremity of elongate member being flush with that of the mounting lobe  14 . 
     On the lower mounting lobe  38  a small circular cavity  36  is created for mounting screws allowing screws to be recessed within the bumper preventing any possible damage to the docking vehicle. At the bottom of the lower mounting lobe  38  is a small concave, semi-circular bulge of the mounting lobe bumper  39  also to protect the docking vehicle from being damaged by the mounting screws. If the bumper does not have the perpendicular mounting lobe  14  and is instead in line with the structural tension member  32  then a second mounting lobe bumper  39  will be located at the top of the upper mounting lobe  14 . 
     The protective housing  18  becomes a crucial member in protecting the light source. This item creates the centralized sealed internal housing  20  creating a fully protected and waterproof chamber. The housing access flap  22  at the back of the chamber will allow of easy access to remove and replace the light if needed by peeling it back at the formed gap  28  and will reclose when released. After the light is replaced the gap can be easily resealed with a thin bead of silicon cocking to completely encase the lights within the bumper. Composing the vertical back edge of the bumper is a structural tension member  32  designed to limit the movement of the bumper to act as a monolithic article during impact minimizing deformity. 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , the light source  46  is shown inside the protective housing  18 . Indirect diffused light  40  is shown emanating from the light altering bumper assembly towards the object it is mounted upon, which in this case is a boat dock. Indirect reflected light  42  is reflected off the linear bell-shaped light reflector  24 . Refracted diffused light  48  exits the light source and is refracted through the linear concave light refractor  26  and become further diffused as it passes through the light altering bumper opaque material to become twice diffused light for high ambient distribution  44 . Diffused light  50  exits the protective housing  18  and is further reflected off the parabolic arch  30  to create reflected diffused light  52 . 
     If the protective housing  18  is shaped differently than the linear concave light refractor  26  then the light source will be warped differently as seen in  FIGS. 4-6 . By adding a convex lobe known as the amplifying lobe  53 , light will travel through the elongated lobe and become condensed much like how a magnifying glass creates a hot spot of light in the sun. Doing this, an intense beam of light can be directed anywhere. 
     This amplifying lobe  53  is useful to provide additional light to hazardous objects that maybe located adjacent to the dock such as rocks, buoys, beaches or other docks that do not have the light altering bumper. The outer surface of the protective housing  18  comprises an amplifying lobe  53  disposed thereon, the amplifying lobe  53  comprising an outwardly-projecting, solid, elongate member of uniform substantially semi-circular cross-section, which extends along the length thereof; the amplifying lobe  53  for directing the light from the light source therethrough. The amplifying lobe  53  may be upwardly, downwardly or centrally disposed. 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment of the present invention, the amplifying lobe  53  is placed along the protective housing  18  such that the condensed light  56  is primarily directed downward. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the amplifying lobe  53  can be placed a little further upward than that shown in  FIG. 4  such that the condensed light  56  is primarily directed slightly downward and mostly outward. Finally, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the amplifying lobe  53  can be placed even further upward than that shown in  FIG. 5  such that the condensed light  56  is primarily directed slightly upward. 
     The primary operation of the light altering bumper will be to protect objects such as boats, planes and cars from coming in contact with the hard surface adjacent while illuminating the object it is attached to and the surrounding area. The bumper with its dual mounting lobes  14  and  38  can be attached to any flat rough or hard surface such as but not limited to marine docks, loading docks, decks, wharfs, guard rails, pilings, posts, moorings, buoys, jetties, and piers. The internal light source may have the ability to change color, frequency and brightness with the use of remote, timers, control panel or Wi-Fi device. 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the method (and components of the individual operating components of the method) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections might be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.