MAST NAVIGATION LIGHT

A mast navigation light includes a base assembly affixable to a surface, a pivot mechanism secured to the base assembly, a mast coupled at a proximal end with the pivot mechanism, and a light secured to a distal end of the mast. The pivot mechanism is configured to effect pivoting of the mast about at least two axes.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a mast navigation light suited for marine applications and, more particularly, to a mast navigation light that is pivotable relative to an attachment surface about at least two axes.

Marine vessels generally require navigation lights, which in some instances include light poles that are vertically mounted to the highest point on the vessel. These lights typically include a static poll or mast that is mounted to the boat directly and include a light at the top of the mast.

In a use orientation, with the light and mast extending upward from the highest point on the boat, the light and mast can be subjected to damage due to impact with low bridges or the like. Additionally, such mast lights can be burdensome when securing a cover to the vessel.

SUMMARY

It would thus to be desirable to provide a mast navigation light that is selectively positionable in use and can also be easily pivoted to a stowed position. The mast navigation light of the described embodiments is rotatable/pivotable about at least two axes. The mast navigation light is pivotable forward and aft (pitch rotation) to optimize light visibility based on a Bimini frame position. Additionally, the mast navigation light is pivotable laterally (yaw rotation), allowing for stowing the mast in a horizontal position that is essentially parallel to the frame to minimize damage and allow the mast navigation light to be enclosed within a Bimini cover.

In some embodiments, the mast navigation light utilizes a T-post with two independent axes including a swivel for yaw rotation and a cylindrical pivot for pitch rotation. Pivoting about either axis can be clamped using a single cam lock lever. In a variation, a guided ball and socket joint can be unlocked and locked with a clamping mechanism. In some embodiments, the mast includes a flexible section near its base. The flexible section may be an elastomeric tube, a coil spring, or the like, allowing the mast to flex at a specific spring rate to avoid damage in the event of impact (i.e., low bridge, tree, limb, boat cover, etc.) and return to its nominal position.

The described embodiments similarly include anti-rotation features and a wire routing option.

The base member may include an adapter plate that helps to mount the mast navigation light more securely to a frame member, such as the frame member of a Bimini top. The adapter plate may incorporate an optional wire routing on its side.

In an exemplary embodiment, a mast navigation light includes a base assembly affixable to a surface, a pivot mechanism secured to the base assembly, a mast coupled at a proximal end with the pivot mechanism, and a light secured to a distal end of the mast. The pivot mechanism is configured to effect pivoting of the mast about at least two axes.

The mast may include a flex section. The flex section may include one of an elastomeric tube or a coil spring. The pivot mechanism may be configured to effect forward and aft pivoting of the mast and to effect lateral pivoting of the mast.

The pivot mechanism may include a cap coupled with the base assembly and rotatable relative to the base assembly about a first axis, and a T-post coupled with the cap and pivotable relative to the cap about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. In this context, the mast may be connected to the T-post. The cap may include a pivot slot in which the T-post may be pivotable, where the pivot slot defines a pivot range for the T-post. The mast navigation light may further include a cam lock lever coupled with the T-post and displaceable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In this context, the cam lock lever may include at least one cam surface that locks the T-post in place when the cam lock lever is displaced to the locked position. The T-post may include a cross member and a vertical leg defining a T-shape, where the cross member is coupled with the cap. A cross-section of the cross member may be non-circular. The mast may be connected to the vertical leg of the T-post. The mast may include a flex section, and the flex section may be connected to the vertical leg of the T-post. The base assembly may include a circumferential slot, and the cap may include a stop member disposed in the circumferential slot, where the circumferential slot defines rotational limits for the cap relative to the base assembly.

The base assembly may include a wire exit slot. The base assembly may include an adapter plate securable to a frame member and a base plate connected to the adapter plate, and the pivot mechanism may be secured to the base plate.

In another exemplary embodiment, a mast navigation light includes a base assembly affixable to a surface, a pivot mechanism secured to the base assembly, a mast coupled at a proximal end with the pivot mechanism, a light secured to a distal end of the mast. The pivot mechanism is configured to selectively effect forward and aft pivoting of the mast in use and lateral pivoting of the mast to a stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Navigation lights are desirable for piloting marine vessels in low or no light. Such navigation lights are typically vertically mounted to a highest point on the vessel.FIG.1shows an exemplary application of a mast navigation light10secured to a Bimini frame12mounted on a pontoon boat14.

With reference toFIGS.2and3, the mast navigation light10includes a base assembly16affixable to surface. In some embodiments, the surface may be a frame member of the Bimini top, although the assembly can be secured at any desirable location on the vessel. A pivot mechanism18is secured to the base assembly, and a mast20is coupled at a proximal end with the pivot mechanism18. A light22is secured to a distal end of the mast20.

In some embodiments, the mast20includes a flex section24. The flex section24may be one of an elastomeric tube or a coil spring or the like. The flex section24allows the mast20to flex at a specific spring rate to avoid damage in the event of impact (i.e., low bridge, tree, limb, boat cover, etc.) and return to its nominal position.

As described in more detail below, the pivot mechanism18is configured to effect pivoting of the mast20about at least two axes. That is, the pivot mechanism effects at least forward and aft pivoting of the mast and lateral pivoting of the mast.

With reference toFIGS.3-10, the pivot mechanism18may include a cap26coupled with the base assembly16and rotatable relative to the base assembly16about a first axis. The cap26includes a shoulder26a, side openings26band an oriented pivot slot26c.

The base assembly16includes a central opening16aand a shoulder16b. The cap26is inserted through the opening16ain the base assembly16until the shoulder26aof the cap26engages the shoulder16bof the base assembly16. The base assembly16also includes apertures16cfor receiving connectors to secure the base to the surface.

The pivot mechanism18includes a T-post28coupled with the cap26and pivotable relative to the cap26about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The T-post28includes a cross member28aand a vertical leg28bthat together define a T-shape. The cross member28aextends through the openings26bin the cap26, and the vertical leg28bis disposed in the pivot slot26cof the cap26.

The mast20is connected to the vertical leg28bof the T-post28. In some embodiments, the flex section24of the mast20is connected to the vertical leg28b. The T-post28may include a barb28cto better secure the engagement with the mast20or the flex section24of the mast20. See, for example,FIG.6. With reference toFIG.8, the T-post28is pivotable in the pivot slot26c, and the pivot slot26cdefines a pivot range for the T-post28.

A cam lock lever30is coupled with the T-post28. The cam lock lever30includes trunnion posts30athat snap into openings in the cross member28aof the T-post28. As best seen inFIG.8, a cross-section of the cross member28ais non-circular. In some embodiments, locking detent features are included to fix the mast navigation light in the preferred fore-aft pitch position, resisting vibration, shock, and wind loading. For example, with reference toFIG.8A, the cross member28aof the T-post28may include a first convex protrusion281, corresponding to a zero degree position, and a second convex protrusion282, corresponding to a forty-five degree position, selectively engageable with a concave detent261in the cap26. The cross member28amay also include a rotational stop283. The cam lock lever30includes at least one cam surface, and preferably multiple cam surfaces, that locks the T-post28in place when the cam lock lever30is displaced to a locked position.

FIGS.11-13show the cam lock lever30in an unlocked position, andFIGS.14and15show the cam lock lever30in a locked position. In the exemplary configuration shown inFIGS.12and14, the cam lock lever30includes contact surfaces30bthat engage the cap26in the locked position to lock the T-post28in place. Additionally, an eccentric camming lobe30cof the cam lock lever30is spaced from the base assembly16in the unlocked position, and with reference toFIG.15, the eccentric camming lobe30cengages the base assembly16in the locked position.

FIGS.16and17show an underside of the base assembly16. The base assembly16includes at least one circumferential slot16d. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.16and17, the base assembly16includes two circumferential slots16d. The cap26includes a corresponding at least one stop member26ddisposed in the circumferential slot16d. The circumferential slot16ddefines rotational limits for the cap26relative to the base assembly16. This feature prevents undesirable wire wrapping/twisting in use.

The base assembly16may also be provided with a wire exit slot16eon its underside.

FIGS.18-20show selective orientations of the mast navigation light10. The assembly is shown connected to a frame member of a Bimini top12for illustration purposes only. As noted, the base assembly16is affixable to any suitable surface.

FIG.18shows the pivot mechanism18with the pivot slot26coriented so that the mast20is pivotable forward and aft relative to the Bimini top frame member. InFIG.18, the assembly is pitched forward in a vertical orientation, similar to the orientation shown inFIG.1. InFIG.19, the assembly is pivoted to a nominal position. InFIG.20, the pivot mechanism18is rotated 90 degrees relative to the base assembly16so that the pivot slot26cis oriented for lateral pivoting of the mast20. InFIG.20, the mast20is pivoted laterally into a stowed position, essentially overlaying the frame member of the Bimini top12. In this position, the mast navigation light10is stowed parallel or nearly parallel to the frame to minimize potential damage and allow the mast navigation light10to be enclosed within a Bimini cover.

FIGS.21-23show a variation including an adapter plate32that helps to mount the mast navigation light10more securely to the frame member of the Bimini top12. In this variation, the base assembly16includes the adapter plate32securable to a frame member of the Bimini top12or other suitable surface or structure and a base plate34connected to the adapter plate32. The pivot mechanism18is secured to the base plate34. The adapter plate32may also be provided with a wire routing slot32aon its side.

FIGS.24-28show an alternative embodiment of the mast navigation light110where the pivot mechanism118includes a guided ball and socket joint that can be locked and unlocked with a clamping mechanism defined by the base assembly116. The base assembly116includes a base plate116awith external threads and a nut116b. The base plate116aincludes an upward facing spherical surface136. The pivot mechanism118includes a cap118aand a ball shaft118b. The ball shaft118bengages the spherical surface136of the base plate116a, and the cap118ais fit over the ball shaft118binto engagement with the ball portion of the ball shaft118b. The cap118asimilarly includes spherical surfaces that fit over the ball end of the ball shaft118b. The nut116bis threaded on to the base plate116aand clamps the cap118ato the base plate116a, generating friction at the ball surface to rotationally lock the mast120.

FIGS.29and30show the mast navigation light110in an unlocked position, where the mast120is pivotable via the pivot mechanism including the cap118aand the ball shaft118b. As shown, the nut116bincludes tabs or handles that in the exemplary unlocked position shown inFIGS.29and30are oriented perpendicular to the base plate116a. InFIGS.31and32, the nut116bis turned 90 degrees such that the tabs or handles are aligned with the base plate116a, and the pivot mechanism including the cap118aand the ball shaft118blocks the mast120in position.

FIGS.33and34show the mast navigation light110in a stowed position, with the mast120essentially parallel and in alignment with the frame member of the Bimini top12.FIG.33shows a wire exit slot116e in the base assembly116.FIG.34shows a variation where wires are guided into the frame member of the Bimini top12.

FIGS.35-37show an alternative base assembly and pivot mechanism for the mast navigation light210. The assembly includes the base assembly216affixable to a surface and a pivot mechanism218secured to the base assembly. The pivot mechanism218includes a cap226and a T-post228similar to previously described embodiments. A cam lock lever230is coupled with the T-post228.

As seen inFIG.37, the base216includes a downwardly facing rim of detents240athat corresponds to and interacts with an upwardly facing rim of detents240bon the cap226. Detents240a,240ballow for incremental rotational adjustment and locking of the cap226relative to the base216for user-selected positioning of the mast navigation light.

As seen inFIG.36, the cross member228aof the T-post228includes a plurality of convex protrusions242that interact with corresponding concave detents263in the cap226. The protrusions242are movable and interlock with the detents263to lock the T-post228in incrementally angled positions. The rim of detents240a,240bin the base216and the cap226respectively create up to 90 degrees of positional orientation adjustment of the mast (not shown), and the convex protrusions242and concave detents263in the T-post228and cap226respectively provide more precise angular adjustment of the mast.

The T-post228may include a rotational stop283for secure locking of the mast in the upright position. The T-post228may also include a rib244to prevent incorrect installation of the T-post with the cap226. In particular, the T-post is prevented from being installed 180 degrees in the wrong orientation relative to the rest of the assembly. The interior side surfaces of the cam lock lever230may include a chamfered tab246to help the legs of the lever extend, enter, and lock with the corresponding apertures of the T-post cross member228a. The cam lock lever may also include a thicker ridge or grip248along the bottom exterior edge of the two sides of the lever for better grip during installation and in use. As seen inFIG.35, the ridge248may be angled to interface with the conical top surface of the base216.

The mast navigation light of the described embodiments is configured for pivotable adjustment in at least two axes and provides advantages over existing assemblies. The light may include an elastomeric connector for impact damage prevention as well as a quick lock and release system, anti-rotation features, and a wire routing option. The assembly is selectively positionable for use and can be readily stowed for enclosure within a Bimini top or the like.