Boat light apparatus including navigation light and detachable docking light

A boat light apparatus is comprised of a navigation light and a detachable docking light. The navigation light is comprised of a navigation light housing with a low power navigation light lamp behind a lens. A socket is positioned at the top of the navigation light housing. Electrical connectors are positioned inside the socket. A detachable docking light for mating with the navigation light is comprised of a docking light housing with a high power docking light lamp inside. Docking light housing is hinged to the top of a mounting post for positioning inside the socket in the navigation light. Electrical connectors are positioned at the bottom of the post for mating with the connectors inside the socket. Navigation light lamp and docking light lamp are connected in parallel for connecting to the navigation light switch in a boat. A step relay is connected between the docking light lamp and the navigation light switch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention broadly relates to navigation lights on boats.

2. Prior Art

A navigation light is a low power colored light on the bow of the boat for indicating the position of the bow during docking maneuvers. Some boats also have a bright docking light for illuminating the path ahead during docking. Some docking lights are permanently mounted, and some are detachable for use only when needed. The permanently mounted lights are unsightly and get in the way. They are also difficult to install. The detachable lights are usually mounted with suction cups, which are unreliable, and require a cigarette lighter socket for power. The external power cords on the detachable lights are a nuisance and a trip hazard. Some boats lack the cigarette lighter socket required for powering detachable lights.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects of the present boat light apparatus are:to be an easily installed replacement for prior art navigation lights;to indicate the position of a bow;to illuminate the path ahead with a detachable docking light;to enable the docking light to be easily detached and reattached to the navigation light.

The boat light apparatus is comprised of a navigation light and a detachable docking light. The navigation light is comprised of a navigation light housing with a low power navigation light lamp behind a lens. A socket is positioned at the top of the navigation light housing. Electrical connectors are positioned inside the socket. A detachable docking light for mating with the navigation light is comprised of a docking light housing with a high power docking light lamp inside. Docking light housing is hinged to the top of a mounting post for positioning inside the socket in the navigation light. Electrical connectors are positioned at the bottom of the post for mating with the connectors inside the socket. Navigation light lamp and docking light lamp are connected in parallel for connecting to the navigation light switch in a boat. A step relay is connected between the docking light lamp and the navigation light switch.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A boat light apparatus shown inFIG. 1is provided as a direct replacement for a typical prior art navigation light on the bow of a boat. Boat light apparatus is comprised of a navigation light10and a detachable docking light11.

Navigation light10is comprised of a navigation light housing12with a mounting screw13for easily attaching to the same position vacated by the prior art navigation light. A colored lens14is positioned at the front of housing10, and a low power navigation light lamp15is positioned behind lens. A mechanical connector or socket16is positioned at the top of housing12, and is sealed by a removable cover17connected to housing12with a tether18. Electrical connectors19are positioned inside socket16.

Docking light11is comprised of a docking light housing20with a high power docking light lamp21inside. Housing20is pivoted to the top of a mounting post22which is arranged to be positioned inside socket16. Housing20is adjustable in azimuth and elevation. Electrical connectors23are positioned at the bottom of post22for mating with connectors19inside socket16.

Docking light11is shown inFIG. 2attached to navigation light10. Cover17is removed from socket16in housing10, and post22is positioned inside socket16. Docking light11may be attached to navigation light10when need and removed when not needed.

A circuit diagram of the boat light apparatus is shown inFIG. 3. Lamps15and21are connected in parallel to existing power leads24and25which were previously connected to the removed prior art navigation light. Power leads24and25are connected to a boat light switch26already installed in the boat. A step relay27is connected between bow light switch26and docking light21. Step relay27is preferably positioned inside the navigation light housing. Connectors19on post22and housing10(FIG. 2) are shown as dots. Step relay27is toggled between open contact and closed contact each time power is applied and removed. The operation is as follows:1. Starting with an open circuit in step relay, closing bow light switch activates lamp in navigation light to indicate the position of the bow.2. Opening and closing bow light switch closes step relay to activate lamp in the docking light to illuminate the path ahead of the boat. The closed bow light switch also activates lamp in navigation light.3. Opening and closing bow light switch opens step relay to deactivate lamp in the docking light. The closed bow light switch also activates lamp in the navigation light.4. Opening bow light switch deactivates lamp in the navigation light.

Although the foregoing description is specific, it should not be considered as a limitation on the scope of the invention, but only as an example of the preferred embodiment. Many variations are possible within the teachings of the invention. For example, different attachment methods, fasteners, materials, dimensions, etc. can be used unless specifically indicated otherwise. The relative positions of the elements can vary, and the shapes of the elements can vary. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, not by the examples given.