Abstract:
The present invention is an integrally formed, light altering bumper designed to amplify amounts of visible light from a self-contained, integrated light source. The present invention is generally an illuminating dock bumper for attachment to either a dock or a dock vehicle made from a spine member; a lobe member; and a protective housing located within the recessed portion of the spine member for receiving an elongate light source therewithin, the light from the light source to illuminate the bumper in turn. The protective housing has a linear concave light refractor disposed thereon, the linear concave light refractor being a centrally-disposed, uniform, elongate concave depression extending along the length of the protective housing.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation in Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/527,147 filed Oct. 29, 2014, which claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/911,389 filed Dec. 3, 2013. The entire contents of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    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 
       [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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 
       [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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 
       [0008]    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 generally a spine member; a lobe member; and a protective housing located within the recessed portion of the spine member for receiving an elongate light source therewithin, the light from the light source to illuminate the bumper in turn. 
         [0009]    The light altering bumper may further comprise a light amplifying lobe that may be adjusted to direct the light source in different directions. 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. 
         [0010]    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 
         [0011]      FIG. 1 . Illustrates a sectional perspective of the light altering bumper of the present invention in the closed configuration. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2 . Illustrates a cross section view of the light altering bumper of the present invention in the closed configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3 . Illustrates a section perspective of the light altering bumper in the closed configuration as attached to a dock. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4 . Illustrates a cross sectional perspective of the light altering bumper of the present invention in the closed configuration with the light amplifying lobe embodiment with light source directed downward. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5 . Illustrates a cross sectional perspective of the light altering bumper of the present invention in the closed configuration with the light amplifying lobe embodiment with light source directed downward and out. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6 . Illustrates a cross sectional perspective of the light altering bumper of the present invention in the closed configuration with the light amplifying lobe embodiment with light source directed upward. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7 . Illustrates a sectional perspective of an alternative embodiment of the light altering bumper of the present invention in the closed configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8 . Illustrates a sectional perspective of the light altering bumper of the present invention in an open configuration to allow access to the light source. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9 . Illustrates a sectional perspective of an alternative embodiment of the light altering bumper of the present invention in the closed configuration. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10 . Illustrates a sectional perspective of an alternative embodiment of the light altering bumper of the present invention in the closed configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    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, such as a fluorescent tube or light emitting diode (LED). If the material was not translucent but rather something more transparent, light would pass through the bumper uninterrupted and remain invisible to the naked eye and therefore be useless. 
         [0022]    Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of the light altering bumper of the present invention is generally constructed from an L-shaped spine member with an inner surface, outer surface, a vertical plane  32 , horizontal plane  15  and a recessed portion  21  along the outer surface of the vertical plane  32  and a lobe member with an inner surface, outer surface, a first lobed portion  30  protruding perpendicularly forward from the outer surface of the vertical portion  32  of the spine member, and a second substantially planar portion  14  protruding perpendicularly backward from the inner surface of the vertical portion  15  of the spine member. In the preferred embodiment, the lobe portion  30  is a vaulted barrel cross sectional configuration. However, the lobe portion  30  may also be of a circular and/or cylindrical cross section configuration, like that shown in  FIG. 9  or a triangular cross section configuration like that shown in  FIG. 10 . It is contemplated that a variety of lobe portion  30  shaped may be used in the present invention. 
         [0023]    A protective housing  18  surrounds a sealed internal housing  20 , which is located adjacent to the vertical plane  32  of the spine and at the mid-point opposite the lobe portion  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. 
         [0024]    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. Along the inner surface of the lobe portion  30  comprises a linear bell-shaped light reflector  24  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 lobe portion  30 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 3, 8, 9 and 10 , the bumper is mounted to the dock at opposite ends of the bumper along the horizontal plane  15  of the L-shaped spine member and at the bottom end  38  of the vertical plane  32  of the L-shaped spine member. 
         [0026]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the bumper is constructed from a substantially vertical planar spine member  32  with an inner surface, outer surface, and a recessed portion  21  along the outer surface of the spine and a lobe member with an inner surface, outer surface, a first lobed portion  30  protruding perpendicularly forward from the outer surface of the vertical plane  32  of the spine member, and a second substantially planar portion  14  protruding upward from the first lobed portion  30  and parallel to the spine member  32 . The bumper is mounted to the dock at opposite ends of the bumper at the top end  15  of the spine member  32  and at the bottom end  38  of the spine member  32 . 
         [0027]    Turning back to  FIG. 1 , at the end of the second substantially planar portion  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. A layer of a high reflective paint backing  34  may be applied to the vertical plane  32  of the spine member or alternatively part or the entire spine structure of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 7  may be painted white or constructed from a solid white plastic or polymer material. In the preferred embodiment, just the recessed portion  21  of the spine is all white to help reflect light out with the remaining parts being translucent. 
         [0028]    When the bumper comes in contact with a boat or other object, the lobe portion  30  absorbs the majority of the impact, sending the force down and up to the extremities of the spine member where the mounts are located while the spine member helps to ensure the form of the bumper during assembly and especially during an impact, thus also increasing the impact capacity of the form. As the lobe portion  30  is the primary entity in absorbing impacts and in the preferred embodiment is the thickest component of the design while the spine member can be thinner. Further, within the approximate center on the spine member is the recessed portion  21  designed to hold the light source in place while increasing the distribution of light throughout the bumper lobe portion  30 . This recessed portion  21 , as it is not a crucial structural component to maintain rigidity but rather a cavity to retain an object and can be reduced in thickness within the spine member. As such the lobe member, spine member, and recessed portion of the spine member  21  have a thickness ratio of about 5:3:1. 
         [0029]    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. In the preferred embodiment, the substantially planar portion  14  of the lobe member substantially overlaps the outer surface of the vertical portion  15  of the spine member and seals the bumper in a closed configuration in a “press fit” manner. This allows the light source in the internal housing  20  to be removed and replaced. Alternatively, the substantially planar portion  14  of the lobe member and the outer surface of the vertical portion  15  of the spine member may be integral with one another and the light source is removed from the opposing ends of the internal housing  20 , which may be open at each end of the bumper. As show in in  FIG. 8 , the protective housing  18  and internal housing  20  is accessed by lifting the second substantially planar portion  14  away from the vertical portion  15  of the spine member. 
         [0030]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , a light source is placed inside the internal housing  20 . 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 material to become twice diffused light for high ambient distribution  44 . 
         [0031]    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. 
         [0032]    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 curvilinear 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. 
         [0033]    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 that that shown in  FIG. 5  such that the condensed light  56  is primarily directed slightly upward. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 and 8-10 , at the bottom end  38  of the vertical plane  32  of the L-shaped spine member is a small concave, semi-circular bulge  39  which protects the docking vehicle from being damaged by any mounting screws positioned through the L-shaped spine member. As shown in  FIG. 7 , if the spine member is planar, then a second small concave, semi-circular bulge  39  is located at the top of thesecond substantially planar portion  14 . 
         [0035]    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 positions  14  and  38  on the spine 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. 
         [0036]    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.