Rearward illumination device for outboard motor

A marine illuminating device for aiding in the reverse navigation of a watercraft that is powered by an outboard motor. The marine illuminating device includes an electric light that is mounted in an aperture in a cowl of an outboard motor. The electric light is connected through an electric circuit to the alternator/charging system of the outboard motor and to a switch assembly. The switch assembly may be actuated automatically when the outboard motor mode selector is positioned into the reverse mode. Alternatively, the switch may also be actuated manually. Actuation of the switch assembly permits electric current to flow from the alternator/charging system to the electric light, thereby causing the electric light to illuminate. Operation of the device is "hands-free" due to the fact that it illuminates automatically and does not require the operator to actively position the light relative to the path of the watercraft since the watercraft travels in the direction that the outboard motor is pointed when the motor is operated in the reverse mode. The electric circuit may also employ a switching device to maintain the electric lamp in an illuminated state for a predetermined time to permit the watercraft operator to momentarily operate the outboard motor in the neutral or forward modes while maintaining rearward illumination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Technical Field
 The present invention relates generally to marine lighting systems and more
 particularly to an illumination device which is mounted to a rearward
 facing portion of an outboard motor and activates when the motor is
 reversed.
 2. Discussion
 Currently, commercially marketed watercraft powered with outboard motors
 are equipped with U.S. Coast Guard specified navigation lights that serve
 to mark the port (left), starboard (right), and stem (rear) of the
 watercraft when these lights are activated during operation of the
 watercraft in conditions of little or no light. These lighting systems are
 intended to assist other watercraft operators in identifying the presence
 of another watercraft and the direction in which it is traveling, but not
 to facilitate the operation of the watercraft by illuminating the path
 along which the watercraft operator wishes to travel. It is therefore
 common practice for these operators to utilize hand-held spotlights when
 navigating during low-light conditions.
 The use of a spotlight when operating such watercraft can be difficult at
 times since the operator must perform a variety of functions, including
 steering, operation of the throttle and operation of the mode selector
 (forward-neutral-reverse), in addition to aiming the spotlight. This
 difficulty is generally little more than an inconvenience when the
 watercraft is operated in the forward direction as the majority of the
 time is spent "cruising" from one point to another. During "cruise"
 periods, manipulation of the throttle and steering adjustments are usually
 kept to a minimum. Additionally, use of the spotlight is typically
 intermittent as the operator will rely on other navigational aids, such as
 a lighted compass, star positions, outlines of landmarks or lights, and/or
 navigational buoys to maintain his course.
 The difficulty in operating the watercraft increases disproportionately,
 however, when the outboard motor is operated in the reverse mode,
 especially when the operator is berthing the watercraft. As the reverse
 mode is not used for "cruising," throttle changes and steering adjustments
 are frequently made. Therefore, for watercraft powered by an outboard
 motor having a combination throttle/tiller, it is a practical requirement
 for the operator to keep one hand on the throttle/tiller while reversing
 the watercraft so as to control the speed and direction of the watercraft.
 Since the use of the reverse mode is generally intermittent, the
 operator's other hand is required to operate the mode selector which is
 typically a lever located on the side of the outboard motor. The outboard
 motors of larger watercraft are typically connected to an operator's
 console having separate steering and combined throttle/mode controls;
 these throttle/mode controls provide the capability of switching the
 operation of the outboard motor into forward, neutral and reverse modes as
 well as adjusting the speed of the watercraft. In such watercraft, it is
 therefore essential for the operator to keep one hand on the steering
 controls and the other hand on the throttle controls.
 While berthing, it is advantageous for the operator to have the capability
 to quickly switch between the forward, neutral and reverse modes so as to
 improve the speed and precision by which the watercraft is being
 maneuvered, especially where there is a chance that the outboard motor
 could collide with an object, such as a dock, a mooring shore or another
 watercraft. Thus, where the watercraft is equipped with an operator's
 console, the operator is more inclined to keep one hand on the
 throttle/mode controls while the other hand remains on the helm or
 steering wheel. Similarly, the operator who uses an outboard with a
 combination throttle/tiller desires to have one hand free to operate the
 mode select mechanism. It is also advantageous to have one hand free while
 berthing to be able to push the watercraft away from obstacles. These
 latter two points cannot be emphasized enough, since even a relatively
 low-speed collision between an outboard motor and an obstruction can
 disable the watercraft, necessitating a costly repair and stranding the
 watercraft occupants.
 As such, the watercraft operator is forced to operate the steering controls
 (or combination throttle/tiller controls) with one hand and use his free
 hand to perform all of the other previously mentioned functions. This
 obviously impairs the operator's ability to perform these other functions,
 including the operation of a hand-held spotlight, rendering it more
 difficult to navigate the watercraft and increasing the risk of a
 collision. Consequently, there remains a need in the art for a rearward
 facing illumination device which activates upon reversing the outboard
 motor and is positioned so as to assist in the rearward navigation of the
 watercraft.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 It is one object of the present invention to provide a marine illumination
 device which will activate upon engaging the reverse mode of an outboard
 motor.
 It is another object of the present invention to provide a marine
 illumination device for use with an outboard motor which can be operated
 in a "hands-free" manner.
 It is a further object of the present invention to provide a marine
 illumination device which is mounted to an outboard motor in a manner to
 aid in the reverse navigation of a watercraft when activated.
 In accordance with the present invention, a marine illuminating device is
 provided for aiding in the reverse navigation of a watercraft that is
 powered by an outboard motor. The marine illuminating device includes an
 electric light that is mounted in an aperture in a cowl of an outboard
 motor. The electric light is connected through an electric circuit to the
 alternator/charging system of the outboard motor and to a switch assembly.
 The switch assembly may be actuated automatically when the outboard motor
 mode selector is positioned into the reverse mode. Alternatively, the
 switch may also be actuated manually. Actuation of the switch assembly
 permits electric current to flow from the alternator/charging system to
 the electric light, thereby causing the electric light to illuminate.
 Operation of the device is "hands-free" due to the fact that it
 illuminates automatically and does not require the operator to actively
 position the light relative to the path of the watercraft since the
 watercraft travels in the direction that the outboard motor is pointed
 when the motor is operated in the reverse mode. The electric circuit may
 also employ a switching device to maintain the electric lamp in an
 illuminated state for a predetermined time to permit the watercraft
 operator to momentarily operate the outboard motor in the neutral or
 forward modes while maintaining rearward illumination.
 Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become
 apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in
 conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 Referring to FIG. 1, the illumination device of the present invention is
 generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Illumination device 10 is
 shown to be operatively associated with an outboard motor 12. Outboard
 motor 12 is illustrated as being fixedly attached to the transom 16 of
 watercraft 14 in a conventional manner. Outboard motor 12 is shown to
 include a cowl 18, a mode selector 20, an alternator/charging system 21
 and an illumination device 10. Mode selector 20 can be selectively
 positioned in a forward position 22, a neutral position 23 and a reverse
 position 24 to cause outboard motor 12 to operate in the forward, neutral
 or reverse modes, respectively. Cowl 18 covers at least a portion of the
 motor so as to protect the watercraft operator from injury due to contact
 with various motor components. Cowl 18 also prevents excess moisture from
 contacting the motor and prevents excess dirt from accumulating on the
 motor. Cowl 18 is shown to include a generally rectangular aperture 19.
 Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary schematic illustration of an electrical
 circuit for illumination device 10 is shown. As illustrated the, circuit
 includes illumination device 10 and electrical source 36. Illumination
 device 10 includes an electric light assembly 32, a wire harness 34 and a
 switching assembly 26. Electric light assembly 32 is shown to include a
 reflector 28, a projector lens 30 and a lamp 33. Preferably, electric
 light assembly 32 is constructed in a manner so as to seal out moisture
 and resist vibration. A first electrical contactor 32a of electric light
 assembly 32 is connected by wire harness 34 through wire 34a to a first
 terminal 36a of electric source 36. Preferably, electric source 36 is the
 outboard motor's alternator 21 or charging system. Alternatively, the
 electrical source could be a battery 21'. Wire 34b connects the second
 terminal 36b of electrical source 36 to the input terminal 26a of
 switching assembly 26. Switching assembly 26 may include a limit switch, a
 proximity switch, or a manually actuated switch such as a push-button
 switch or a toggle switch. The output side 26b of switching assembly 26 is
 connected to second electrical contractor 32b of electric light assembly
 32 through wire 34c. When unactuated, switching assembly 26 is operable
 for inhibiting electricity from passing from electric source 36 to
 electric light assembly 32. When actuated, switching assembly 26 is
 operable for allowing electricity to pass from electric source 36 to
 electric light assembly 32.
 Referring back to FIG. 1, electric light assembly 32 is shown to be
 positioned within aperture 19 and fastened to cowl 18. Aperture 19 is
 formed in cowl 18 at a location that will orient electric light assembly
 32 in its optimal position. As electric light assembly 32 is fixedly
 coupled to outboard motor 12, those skilled in the art will readily
 appreciate that the tilting of outboard motor 12 relative to transom 16
 will permit electric light assembly 32 to be aimed in a desired manner.
 Alternatively, electric light assembly 32 could include conventional
 aiming hardware (not shown), similar to that used in automotive headlamps,
 so as to allow the watercraft operator to adjust the area of illumination
 to suit his individual needs. Such aiming hardware may be found in, for
 example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,943 to Shirai et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,057
 to Kusagaya, U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,915 to Shirai et al. and U.S. Pat. No.
 4,809,139 to Ryder et al., the disclosures of which are hereby
 incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
 Switching assembly 26 is positioned so as to actuate when mode lever 20 is
 placed into the reverse position 24, which in turn causes electric light
 assembly 32 to illuminate. Moving mode lever 20 out of the reverse
 position 24 causes switching assembly 26 to return to its unactuated state
 and electric light assembly 32 is turned off.
 A partial top view of a watercraft with an outboard motor having the
 illumination device of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. In the
 preferred embodiment, reflector 28, projector lens 30 and lamp 33 combine
 to provide a multi-segment beam of light 37 having an intensely
 illuminated center beam segment 38 disposed between two diffuse beam
 segments 40a & 40b. Multi-segment beam 37 is produced so as to have a
 total included angle of approximately 120.degree. to approximately
 180.degree.. Center beam segment 38 is produced to have an included angle
 ranging from approximately 5.degree. to approximately 135.degree. and
 preferably ranging from approximately 15.degree. to approximately
 90.degree.. Configuration of the beam of light in this multi-segment
 fashion serves as both an aid to the navigation of the watercraft and a
 means for alerting others in the vicinity, particularly those in the water
 who were positioned within boundaries of center beam 38, that the
 watercraft is being operated in reverse. This latter feature is
 particularly advantageous during daylight hours when swimming activity is
 more likely to occur and the watercraft operator is unlikely to otherwise
 use a light or other device to designating that the watercraft is being
 operated in reverse.
 While the illumination device of the present invention has been described
 thus far as being extending through an aperture in the cowl of an outboard
 motor and illuminating only when the outboard motor is operated in the
 reverse mode, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention,
 in its broader aspects, may be constructed somewhat differently. For
 example, the illumination device may be specifically configured to be
 mounted to an exterior surface of the outboard motor.
 In FIG. 4, the electric light assembly 32' of illumination device 10' is
 shown to be secured to an exterior surface 50 of cowl 18' through a
 conventional securing means 52 which could be comprised of fasteners,
 clips, adhesives, or adhesive tapes. Electric light assembly 32' includes
 a housing 54 in which reflector 28' and lamp 33' are installed. Projector
 lens 30' is fixedly but removably coupled to housing 54 so as to
 facilitate replacement of lamp 33'. This embodiment is particularly
 adapted for retro-fitting the illumination device of the present invention
 to a conventional outboard motor.
 Another example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, shows switching assembly 26" to
 include a switching device 60, such as a timer, which maintains switching
 assembly 26" in the actuated state for a predetermined time after mode
 selector 20 has been moved out of the reverse position 24. This feature is
 particular advantageous since watercraft operators frequently place the
 outboard motor in the neutral mode and manually "punt" the watercraft
 rearward and/or utilize the neutral and forward modes to adjust the
 position of the watercraft to avoid obstacles. In operation, switching
 assembly 26" is actuated when mode selector 20 is placed in the reverse
 position 24. Upon removing mode selector 20 from the reverse position 24
 (i.e., into neutral position 23 or forward position 22), switching device
 60 is operable for maintaining switching assembly 26" in the actuated
 state for a predetermined amount of time. At the expiration of the
 predetermined amount of time, switching assembly 26" reverts to the
 unactuated state. If, however, mode selector 20 is returned to the reverse
 position 24 prior to the expiration of the predetermined amount of time,
 switching device 60 is stopped and reset. Electric light assembly 32
 remains in an illuminated condition after switching device 60 is reset as
 the placement of mode selector 20 in the reverse position 24 actuates
 switching assembly 26".
 While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated
 in the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be
 understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made
 and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing
 from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition,
 many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material
 to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential
 scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited
 to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in
 the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out
 this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments
 falling within the description of the appended claims.