Abstract:
A pole light electrical interface is described that allows the connection of electrical devices in lieu of standard pole lights that are used as running lights on boats. Several configurations are described including a connection in place of a running light, a side connector, and a pole light electrical interface with a voltage converter.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to mechanical electrical interfaces in general and electrical interfaces for boating enthusiasts in particular. 
         [0003]    2. Background 
         [0004]    The use of lights in boats is an important aspect of operating a watercraft. While the boat is operating on the water conveys the status and position of the boat to other watercraft. (See “A Short Course in Nav Rules”, http://www.auxetrain.org/navhelp.html). These lights are commonly known as “running lights”. 
         [0005]    One type of running light is a “pole light”. A pole light consists of a rod with the light located on one end of the pole. The pole light is then mounted and extends upwards away from the hull. 
         [0006]    One type of pole light is a detachable from the hull of the boat. A permanent base is mounted to the hull of the boat and the pole and light configuration is inserted into the permanent base. This type of pole light (“detachable pole light”) allows for easier maintenance and the ability to different types of colored lights to be exchanged.  FIG. 1  is representative of this prior art. Detachable pole lights are well know in the arts and widely available (See www.iboats.com). 
         [0007]    Battery powered electronic devices are now commonplace. Laptop computers, radios, and even battery powered tools are widely marketed and known in the arts. Many of these devices have the ability to be powered by an external DC power source. For example, the Zire 31 handheld sold by Palm, Inc. includes an AC to DC adapter so that the device may be recharged when the battery has been depleted (see http://www.palm.com/us/support/handbooks/zire31/Zire31_UG_ENG.pdf)). This is just one example of thousands of products that have internal battery packs that require recharging. 
         [0008]    Boats, by their very nature, are limited in their ability to connect to a land based AC power grid. Therefore these power adapters have limited use when the boat are operating in the open water. Only in boats where AC outlets are accessible can these devices be connected to either operate or keep the internal batteries of the device charged. 
         [0009]    Alternating current inverters, which convert DC to AC are well known in the arts. Inverters can be installed in the boat and subsequently wires installed to other locations, including areas near the running lights. Unfortunately, the cost of installing wiring in a boat can be significant. It involves hiring skilled technicians who are familiar with the boat modifications. Any modifications made to the boat hull or deck are of particular significance due to impact on the design of the boat. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    A pole light electrical interface is described where the pole light electrical interface comprises a bottom electrical adapter that interfaces to a pole light plug. Internal wires are connected to a female socket that accepts a cigarette lighter adapter. 
         [0011]    Other embodiments of the invention allow for various types of other connectors. Other embodiments of the invention provide for configurations of the connectors and multiple locations of the connections. Other voltage outputs are also incorporated into the device via DC to DC converters and DC to AC inverters. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Taking the following specifications in conjunction with the accompanying drawings will cause the invention to be better understood regarding these and other features and advantages. The specifications reference the annexed drawings wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a prior art view of the detachable pole light. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the pole light electrical interface. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a top view of the pole light electrical interface. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  is a bottom view of the pole light electrical interface. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the pole light electrical interface with a car cigarette lighter inserted. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the pole light electrical interface with a car cigarette lighter integrated into the pole. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of the pole light electrical interface with a DC to DC converter integrated with a multipurpose DC adapter. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  is a systems diagram of the pole light electrical interface with a DC converter. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of the pole light electrical interface with an AC inverter integrated within the pole light. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a systems diagram of the pole light electrical interface with an AC inverter. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6C  is a view of a standard 115 VAC plug 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The following description of the presently contemplated best mode of practicing the invention is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
         [0025]    Now referring to  FIG. 1 , a side view of a pole lamp. These pole lamps are widely used in the boating community and well known in the arts. A pole lamp  100  consists of a lighting fixture  110 , a pole  120  connected to the lighting fixture  110 , a threaded collar  140  that encircles the pole  120 . An electrical plug  150  is mounted at the base of the pole  120 . A pair of wires  130  runs from the electrical plug  150  to the light  110 . 
         [0026]    The operation of the pole lamp  100  consists of inserting electrical plug  150  into a base (not shown) that mates with the electrical plug  150 . The threaded collar  140  is pulled down and screwed onto the base forming a seal preventing the intrusion of water into the electrical connection. When current runs through the pair of wires  130 , the lighting fixture  110  is illuminated. 
         [0027]    Now referring to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C, are different views of the preferred embodiment of the electrical pole interface.  FIG. 2A  is a side view of the electrical pole interface.  FIG. 2B  is a top view of the electrical pole interface.  FIG. 2C  is a bottom view of the electrical pole interface. 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 2A , an electrical pole interface  200  is shown with an electrical adapter  210  attached to a pole  220  that is attached to an electrical connector  250  at the base. A threaded collar  240  encircles the pole  220  that is used for mating to a based located on the boat (not shown). A cutaway portion of the pole shows wiring from the base electrical connector  250  to the electrical adapter  210 . 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 2B , a top view of the electrical pole interface  200  depicts an electrical adapter  210 . The electrical adapter  250  is a female adapter with an electrical connection on the inside wall  260  of the electrical adapter  250 . The preferred embodiment of the electrical adapter  250  is configured to be the approximate dimensions of a commonly available 12 VDC cigarette lighter adapter. 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 2C , a bottom view of the electrical pole interface  200  depicts an electrical connector  250 . The electrical connector  250  has two female electrical interfaces  280 ′,  280 ″. During boat operation, the electrical connector  250  is inserted into a male adapter located on the boat hull (not shown). 
         [0031]    As in  FIG. 2B , the preferred embodiment of the electrical pole interface  200  uses an electrical adapter  250  with the configurations that are approximately the same dimensions as a cigarette lighter electrical adapter. These adapters are commonplace and available at a number of commercial outlets (See http://www.ba-electronics.com/12v-acc.htm for a sample list of adapters). 
         [0032]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 . As shown in FIG.  3 ., a view  300  of the electrical pole interface  200  as installed in a boat is shown. An electrical pole interface  200  consists of the threaded collar  240  connected to the boat hull  340 . The pole  220  is connected to the threaded collar  240  and the electrical adapter  210 . A cigarette lighter adapter  310  is inserted into the electrical adapter  210 . A wire  320  is connected to the cigarette adapter  310  carrying power to a DC powered device  330 . The DC powered device  330  is designed to accommodate the voltage levels of the boat&#39;s electrical system that is typically 12 VDC. 
         [0033]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 . Another embodiment  400  of the electrical pole interface is shown. 
         [0034]    In the embodiment as shown in FIG.  4 ., the electrical base  240  of a T style electrical pole  430  is connected to the boat hull  340 . A running light  420  is connected to the top of the T style electrical pole  430  in a configuration that resembles the prior art as shown in  FIG. 1 . An electrical adapter  440  is connected to an offshoot plug on the T-style electrical pole  430 . As in  FIG. 3  the electrical adapter  440  is connected to a wire  450  that is connected to an electrical device  330 . 
         [0035]    In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 4 , the number of connectors on the side of the pole are not limited. Likewise, the connectors may be positioned at any angle to facilitate connections. 
         [0036]    Now referring to  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B . An alternate embodiment of the electrical pole interface  500  is shown in  FIG. 5A . In this alternate embodiment, the electrical wires that are internal to the pole have been spliced and replaced with a DC to DC converter. This would allow devices that are not adapted to the boat&#39;s voltage supply to operate properly. 
         [0037]    In this embodiment, the DC to DC converter  510  is positioned with the electrical pole. Input wires  520  to the DC to DC converter  520  are connected to the base of the electrical pole. Output wires  530  run up to the electrical adapter. A schematic of the DC to DC converter is shown in  FIG. 5B . 
         [0038]    Now referring to  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C. An alternate embodiment of the electrical pole interface  500  is shown in  FIG. 6A . In this alternate embodiment, the electrical wires that are internal to the pole have been spliced and replaced with a DC to AC inverter. This would allow devices that run on 115 VAC to operate properly. 
         [0039]    In this embodiment, the DC to AC inverter  610  is positioned with the electrical pole. Input wires  620  to the DC to AC inverter  620  are connected to the base of the electrical pole. Output wires  630  run up to an electrical socket  640  as shown in  FIG. 6C . External AC operated devices would connect to the AC plug  650  using a standardized plug connection. A schematic of the DC to AC converter is shown in  FIG. 6B   
         [0040]    The alternate embodiments as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  can also use the T-style configuration as shown in  FIG. 3 . Also, it possible for all three of the embodiments, the direct connection, the DC to DC converter, and the AC to DC inverter in to co-exist in one electrical pole.