Abstract:
An illuminated bumper assembly having an elongated light source for emitting light rays and an elongated bumper for carrying the elongated light source. The elongated bumper is adapted to allow light rays from the elongated light source to be emitted along its length. In some embodiments, the elongated bumper has a primary bumper surface that faces away from a protected surface, and the elongated bumper is structured to engage one or more approaching objects and at least partially protect the protected surface from the one or more approaching objects. In some cases, the elongated light source may be situated between the primary bumper surface and the protected surface such that the primary bumper surface also helps protect the elongated light source from the one or more objects. The illuminated bumper may be adapted for use on boats and/or other applications, as desired.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/991,078, filed Nov. 16, 2001 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,824, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/372,643, filed Aug. 11, 1999 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,634. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to lights, and more particularly, to boat lights adapted for use with boats, personal watercraft or the like. 
   33 USC 2020 (Rule 20) states that power driven and sailing vessels less than 20 meters operating between sunset and sunrise or in times of restricted visibility must have operating navigation lights. In defining the navigation lighting requirements, 33 USC 2030 (Rule 23) states that the basic running lights must including a white stern light, a red port light and a green starboard light. The red port light and green starboard light must be visible from forward of the boat as well as the sides. The three running lights may be mounted in a number of ways, separately or combined, high or low, but must always be masked so that the appropriate color is seen from each direction. 
   33 USC 2030 (Rule 23) states that a powerboat must show a white masthead light that is visible from the front of the boat. This masthead light must be mounted higher than the running lights. Depending on the angle relative to the powerboat, the masthead light may or may not appear to be in line with the visible running light, but must be higher than the running lights. Other lighting configurations are provided for vessels more than 20 meters. 
   While these lighting configurations may be adequate for experienced boaters traveling relatively low traffic waterways under good weather conditions, they are less desirable under other conditions. Many of today&#39;s waterways are extremely crowded, often occupied with high powered boats driven by inexperienced and inattentive drivers. Safely operating a boat at night under these conditions can be a challenge. Depth perception is limited, and lights along the shoreline can cast misleading reflections on the water. In many instances, simply identifying boats via the basic running lights can be difficult, let along determining the size, direction, speed, and other factors needed to safely travel the waterways. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a boat lighting apparatus that improves the visibility of a boat by illuminating one or more side surfaces of the hull of the boat. The hull of the boat provides a relatively large area that, when illuminated, can significantly increase the visibility of a boat. In addition, the size, direction, and speed of a boat can more readily be determined, even by novice or inattentive boaters. It is believed that by providing such visibility, boat safety can be significantly improved. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a boat having a first illustrative boat lighting apparatus; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a boat having another illustrative boat lighting apparatus; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a boat hull having a number of boat lights, each directing light rays in a downward direction; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a boat hull having a number of boat lights, each directing light rays in an upward direction; 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a boat hull having a number of boat lights, each directing light rays in forward and backward direction; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a boat hull having an illustrative elongated light apparatus; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a boat hull having another illustrative boat lighting apparatus; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another illustrative boat lighting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a boat hull having a boat lighting apparatus incorporated into a side bumper assembly; 
       FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a boat hull having a boat lighting apparatus incorporated into an outward extending hull portion; 
       FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a boat hull having a telescoping boat lighting apparatus; 
       FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a boat hull having a threaded boat lighting apparatus; 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic view of an illustrative circuit for powering the one or more light sources of the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic view of another illustrative circuit for powering the one or more light sources of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a timing diagram showing one illustrative energizing scheme provided by the control block of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a timing diagram showing another illustrative energizing scheme provided by the control block of  FIG. 14 ; and 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a personal watercraft having a boat lighting apparatus mounted thereto. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a boat  10  having a first illustrative boat lighting apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The boat is generally shown at  10 , and includes an upper deck  11  extending over a hull  16 . The hull  16  extends generally down from the upper deck  11  toward an expected water line  13 . The hull  16  may also extend generally inward, as shown. 
   Prior art navigation lights typically include forward running lights  12  and a rear masthead light  14 . The forward running lights  12  typically include a red port light and a green starboard light. In most cases, the forward running lights  12  are provided in a relatively small housing mounted to the front of the boat. The rear masthead light  14  is shown mounted higher than the forward running lights  12 , and is visible from the front of the boat. 
   As indicated above, this lighting configuration may be adequate for experienced boaters traveling in relatively low traffic waterways under good weather conditions. However, under other conditions, they are less desirable. Many of today&#39;s waterways are extremely crowded, often occupied with high powered boats driven by inexperienced and inattentive boaters. Safely operating a boat at night under these conditions can be a challenge. Depth perception is limited, and lights along the shoreline can cast misleading reflections on the water. In many instances, simply identifying boats via the forward running lights  12  and the masthead light  14  can be difficult, let along determining the size, direction, speed, and other factors needed to safely travel the waterways. 
   To augment the basic running lights  12  and  14  shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention contemplates providing a boat lighting apparatus that improves the visibility of a boat by illuminating one or more side surfaces of the hull  16  of the boat  10 . The hull  16  of the boat provides a relatively large area that, when illuminated, can significantly increase the visibility of a boat  10 . In addition, the size, direction, and speed of a boat  10  can more readily be determined, even by novice or inattentive boaters. It is believed that by providing such visibility, boat safety can be significantly improved. 
   In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a boat lighting apparatus  18  is provided along the length of the hull  16  of the boat  10 . The boat lighting apparatus  18  includes one or more light sources for producing light rays  20 . The boat lighting apparatus  18  may be mounted to the boat and configured such that at least a portion of the light rays  20  illuminate a portion of the hull  16 . In the embodiment shown, the boat lighting apparatus  18  provides light rays  20  that illuminate a substantial portion of the outer surface of the hull  16 . Although not shown, the boat lighting apparatus  18  may continue around the perimeter of the boat hull  16 , and illuminate both side surfaces of the hull and the back surface of the hull. The boat lighting apparatus  18  may provide a different color light for each side of the boat, such as a red light on the port side, a green light on the starboard side and a while light on the back side. 
   It is contemplated that the boat lighting apparatus  18  may or may not include a redirector (see below) for redirecting at least a portion of the light rays  20  to the side surface of the hull  16 . The redirector may also prevent at least a portion of the light rays from traveling horizontally away and/or upward from the hull  16  of the boat  10 . 
   A method of the present invention includes the steps of providing one or more light sources, and mounting the one or more light sources to the boat such that when energized, the one or more light sources illuminate a the side surface of the hull  16 . 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a boat having another illustrative boat lighting apparatus. The boat is generally shown at  30 , and includes an upper deck  31  extending over a hull  32 . The hull  32  extends generally down from the upper deck  31  toward an expected water line  34 . The hull  32  may also extends generally inward, as shown. In this embodiment, a number of boat lights  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c  and  36   d  are mounted to the hull  32  of the boat  30 . Boat lights  36   a  and  36   b  are mounted to the starboard side of the hull  32 , and boat lights  36   c  and  36   d  are mounted to the back of the hull  32 . 
   In the illustrative embodiment, each of the boat lights  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c  and  36   d  includes at least one light source for producing a number of light rays and an elongated carrier for carrying the at least one light sources. The elongated carrier is preferably adapted for directing the light rays down to the boat hull  32  along a longitudinally extending axis, wherein the longitudinally extending axis has a length that is substantially longer than the width of the carrier, as shown.  FIGS. 3-5  below show a number of illustrative placements for the boat lights of FIGS.  2  and  6 - 12 . 
   It is also contemplated that when the upper deck  31  includes one or more relatively vertically extending surfaces, additional boat lights  38  may be provided to illuminate these side surfaces as well. This may even further increase the visibility of the boat  30 . 
     FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a boat hull having a number of boat lights, each directing light rays in a downward direction. While rectangular shaped boat lights are shown, it is contemplated that the boat lights may assume any desired shape. A hull is illustrated at  40  with a number of boat lights  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c  and  40   d  mounted thereto. Boat lights  40   a  and  40   b  are shown mounted near the top of hull  40  and provide light rays in a generally downward direction. Boat lights  40   c  and  40   d  are shown mounted in an intermediate location on hull  40 , and also provide light rays in a generally downward direction. 
   It is recognized that only the upper row of boat lights  40   a  and  40   b  may be necessary to illuminate the boat hull  40  down to the expected water line. However, it is contemplated that some hull designs may curve significantly inward toward the expected water line. For these boat hulls, one or more lower rows of boat lights, such as boat lights  40   c  and  40   d , may be provided to illuminate the lower portion of the boat hull  40 . 
     FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a boat hull having a number of boat lights, each directing light rays in an upward direction. A hull is illustrated at  46  with a number of boat lights  48   a  and  48   b  mounted thereto. Boat lights  48   a  and  48   b  are shown mounted on a lower portion of hull  46 , and provide light rays in a generally upward direction. 
     FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a boat hull having a number of boat lights, each directing light rays in forward and backward direction. A hull is illustrated at  50  with a number of boat lights  52   a  and  52   b  mounted thereto. Boat lights  52   a  and  52   b  are shown mounted on the hull  50 , and may provide light rays in either a forward direction, a backward direction or both. For example, boat light  52   a  may provide light rays  54   a  in a generally backward direction, light rays  54   b  in a generally forward direction, or both. 
     FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a boat hull  60  having an illustrative elongated boat lighting apparatus  66 . The boat hull  60  includes a generally downward extending portion  62  that extends to an expected water line  64 . The boat hull  60  may also include a bumper assembly  70  for protecting the boat hull  60  from docks or the like. The bumper assembly  70  is shown mounted on a top portion of the downward extending portion  62  of the boat hull  60  via mounting bolt  72 . 
   The elongated boat lighting apparatus  66  is shown mounted to the downward extending portion  62  just below the bumper assembly  70 . The elongated boat lighting apparatus  66  includes at least one light source for producing a number of light rays as shown, and an elongated carrier for carrying the at least one light source. The elongated carrier is preferably at least partially transparent to allow the light rays produced by the one or more light source to exit the carrier. In the embodiment shown, the light rays exit the carrier in various directions including down to the downward extending portion  62  of the boat hull  60 , horizontally away from the boat hull  60 , and upward toward the bumper assembly  70 . However, in a preferred embodiment, a redirector (not shown) may be positioned adjacent the top and outer side of the carrier to redirect substantially all of the light rays to the downward extending portion  62  of the boat hull  60 . The redirector may include, for example, a separate shield placed around the top and outer side of the carrier, or may simply be a reflective coating positioned on the top and outer side surface of the carrier. Alternatively, the elongated boat lighting apparatus  66  may be incorporated into the bumper assembly  70 , similar to that shown in  FIG. 9 . 
   In one embodiment, the elongated boat lighting apparatus  66  may be constructed similar to the indoor/outdoor decorative cable lights available from Light Tech, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich. These cable lights have a parallel series of micro-tungsten bulbs wired on one inch centers and extruded in a flexible PVC clear resin carrier. The PVC helps distribute the light rays provided by the bulbs to provide a more uniform illumination along the length of the carrier. The PVC carrier also helps protect the bulbs from water, vibration and other undesirable environmental conditions. 
     FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a boat hull having another illustrative boat lighting apparatus. The boat hull  80  includes a generally downward extending portion  82  that extends to an expected water line. The boat hull  80  may also include a bumper assembly  100  for protecting the boat hull  80  from docks or the like. The bumper assembly  80  is shown mounted on a top portion of the downward extending portion  82  of the boat hull  80  via mounting bolt  106 . 
   In the illustrative embodiment, boat lighting apparatus  84  is mounted to the downward extending portion  82 , just below the bumper assembly  100 . The boat lighting apparatus  84  includes one or more light sources  88  for providing light rays, a housing  86  for carrying the light source  88 , and a mount  91  for mounting the housing  86  to the boat. The mount  91  is shown bolted to the side of the downward extending portion  82  of the hull via a bolt or screw  92 . It is contemplated, however, that any number of means may be used to attach the mount to the boat including an adhesive or the like. 
   The housing  86  preferably has at least one opening  90  for directing the light rays  94  to at least a portion of the hull of the boat. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the housing  86  includes a wall that extends around three sides of the light source  88 , leaving the one opening  90  on the fourth downward side. Such a configuration not only helps direct the light rays  94  toward the hull of the boat, but also helps prevent at least a portion of the light rays from traveling laterally away from the hull of the boat. The inside surface of the housing  86  may be reflective, and may be shaped to help redirect the light rays  94  in a downward direction toward the hull of the boat. The housing  86  may also include a bracket (not shown) for carrying the one or more light sources  88 . 
   A transparent or semi-transparent plate may be positioned across the opening  90 . The transparent or semi-transparent plate may be constructed as a lens or the like to help redirect and/or focus the light on the hull of the boat. It is also contemplated that the transparent or semi-transparent plate may include a pattern provided thereon or therein to cause an image to be projected onto the hull of the boat. Finally, the transparent or semi-transparent plate may help protect the one or more light sources  88  from water or other undesirable environmental conditions. 
   It is contemplated that the one or more light sources  88  may be any type of light source including an incandescent light source, a fluorescent light source, a light emitting diode (LED), any type of laser including one or more vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL), a phosphor material, or any other type of light source, either active or passive, that is capable of producing visible light at night. When using light sources that provide directed light rays, such as a laser, it is recognized that a light redirector may not be required. Finally, it is contemplated the one or more light sources  88  may be provided by one or more remotely located light sources that are coupled to a fiber optic cable or other type of light transmitting medium that can deliver light rays locally to the housing  86 . 
   Finally, to enhance the illumination of the hull of the boat, it is contemplated that a reflective medium  96  may be provided in or on the outer surface of the boat as shown. The reflective medium preferably helps reflect the light rays  94  laterally outward and away from the hull of the boat to enhance the visibility of the boat. It is contemplated that the reflective medium may be patterned to form an image. The image may be, for example, the name of the boat, advertising logos or any other desired image. 
     FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another illustrative boat lighting apparatus in accordance with the present invention. This illustrative boat lighting apparatus includes a round housing  120  that has an outer plate  122  and an inner plate  124 . The inner plate  124  is preferably positioned adjacent the boat hull when installed, and includes a hole  128  for receiving wires or the like to power a local light source. While a round housing is shown, it is contemplated that the housing  120  may be any shape. 
   A side plate  126  extends around part of the perimeter of the outer plate  122  and the inner plate  124 . In the embodiment shown, the side plate  126  extends around the perimeter of about the upper half of the outer plate  122  and inner plate  124 , leaving the perimeter around the lower half open. A light source (not shown) is preferably provided in the space between the outer plate  122  and the inner plate  124 . In this configuration, the outer plate  122 , inner plate  124  and side plate  126  help redirect the light rays provided by the light source downward through the opening toward the hull of the boat. 
   A transparent or semi-transparent plate  130  may extends around the lower perimeter of the outer plate  122  and the inner plate  124 . The transparent or semi-transparent plate  130  helps protect the light source from water and other undesirable environmental conditions. It is contemplated that the transparent or semi-transparent plate may be configured as a lens or the like to help focus or redirect the light rays to the hull of the boat. One such transparent or semi-transparent plate is illustrated at  132 , and has an outer surface  134  that tapers inward toward the boat. Because the lens is thicker away from the boat, the light rays traveling parallel to the hull of the boat are refracted more than those light rays that are already traveling toward the hull of the boat. This may help increase the illumination of the hull of the boat. 
     FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a boat hull with yet another boat lighting apparatus. This embodiment is similar to that shown in  FIG. 7 , but has the boat lighting apparatus integrated or incorporated into the bumper assembly  144 . The bumper assembly  144  includes a flexible bumper guard  146  attached to an elongated housing  148 . The elongated housing  148  is attached to the hull of the boat via a bolt or screw  150 . The elongated housing  148  preferably has a cavity therein for receiving one or more light sources  152 . The cavity is preferably open along the lower surface thereof to allow the light rays  158  to illuminate the hull of the boat. 
     FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a boat hull having a boat lighting apparatus incorporated into an outward extending hull portion. In this embodiment, the boat hull  180  includes an outward extending hull portion  184 . The boat lighting apparatus  190  may then be provided in a cavity  192  provided in the lower surface of the outward extending hull portion  184 . Alternatively, a boat lighting apparatus similar to that shown in  FIG. 7 , for example, may be mounted to a lower surface  193  of the outward extending hull portion  184  to illuminate the hull of the boat. 
     FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a boat hull having a telescoping boat lighting apparatus. In this embodiment, the boat lighting apparatus  210  has a housing that includes a telescoping lever for allowing the light source to be selectively pulled laterally away from the boat. When extended, the light source is further away from the boat hull, thereby increasing the angle of incidence of the light rays  218  at the hull of the boat. By increasing the angle of incidence, the amount of light that is reflected laterally away from the boat may be increased, thereby increasing the visibility of the hull. When contracted, the boat lighting apparatus  210  is preferably safely out of the way to reduce the chance that the boat lighting apparatus  210  will become damaged by other boats, docks or the like. 
     FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a boat hull having a threaded boat lighting apparatus. In this embodiment, the boat lighting apparatus  258  includes a threaded end  262 . The threaded end  262  preferably is adapted to engage a threaded hole in the hull of the boat. This allows the boat lighting apparatus  258  to be easily removed from the hull of the boat during, for example, daylight hours. In the illustrative embodiment, the boat lighting apparatus  258  is mounted near the top of the hull  250  so that boater inside the boat can easily remove the lights. In this configuration, a laterally extending portion  256  may be provided to extend the light source a sufficient distance away from the boat hull to adequately illuminate the hull of the boat. While the boat lighting apparatus  258  is shown mounted near the top of the hull  250 , it is contemplated that the boat lighting apparatus  258  may be mounted anywhere on the boat, including further down on the downward extending portion  252 . 
     FIG. 13  is a schematic view of an illustrative circuit for powering the one or more light sources of the present invention. In the embodiment shown, a power source  300  is coupled to one or more light sources  304   a  and  304   b  via switch  302 . The one or more light sources  304   a  and  304   b  are preferably coupled in a parallel configuration with power source  300 , as shown. This allows each light source  304   a  and  304   b  to continue to operate even when one or more of the remaining light sources burns out or otherwise becomes damaged. The power source  300  may be any type of power source, but preferably is the boat battery, the boat alternator, or any other type of power source that is capable of properly driving the one or more light sources  304   a  and  304   b.    
     FIG. 14  is a schematic view of another illustrative circuit for powering the one or more light sources of the present invention. In this embodiment, an electronic control circuit  320  provides power to each of a number of light sources  324   a ,  324   b  and  324   c . The electronic control circuit receives power from a power source  322 , and may be any type of control circuit that provides the desired functionality. Preferably, the control circuit is a simple state machine, a microprocessor, or any other type of control circuit. 
     FIG. 15  is a timing diagram showing one illustrative energizing scheme that can be provided by the control circuit  320  of  FIG. 14 . In this illustrative embodiment, the control circuit  320  simultaneously provides energizing pulses  330 ,  332  and  334  to light sources  324   a ,  324   b  and  324   c , respectively, for example at time  336 . Each of the energizing pulses  330 ,  332  and  334  has the same duration. Accordingly, this causes each of the light sources  324   a ,  324   b  and  324   c  to blink “on” during the corresponding energizing pulse, and “off” after the energizing pulse terminates. After a time period, all of the light sources  324   a ,  324   b  and  324   c  are again energized. This causes each of the light sources  324   a ,  324   b  and  324   c  to simultaneously blink “on” and “off”. It is believed that a blinking light may increase the visibility of the hull, especially for inattentive boaters. 
     FIG. 16  is a timing diagram showing another illustrative energizing scheme that can be provided by the control circuit  320  of  FIG. 14 . In this illustrative embodiment, each of the light sources is energized in a sequential manner. For example, light source  324   a  is energized by energizing pulse  340  at time  342 . Later, light source  324   b  is energized by energizing pulse  344  at time  346 . Finally, light source  324   c  is energized. This sequence may be repeated. In a preferred embodiment, the light sources  324   a ,  324   b  and  324   c  are spaced longitudinally along the length of the boat. By illuminating the light sources in sequence, a moving or sweeping pattern may be generated across the hull of the boat. This may further increase the visibility of the hull of the boat. It is recognized that the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 14-16  are only illustrative, and that numerous other lighting sequences can be used. 
     FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a personal watercraft having one or more boat lights  402  and  404  mounted thereto. Boat lights  402  and  404  are preferably similar to that described above and preferably illuminate at least a portion of the side surfaces of the personal watercraft. While a personal watercraft is shown in  FIG. 17 , it is contemplated that the boat lighting apparatus of the present invention may be used to light the side surfaces of airplanes, snowmobiles, automobiles, all terrain vehicles, or any other type of “vehicle” as that term is used in the most general sense, to increase their visibility to outside observers. 
   Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the teachings found herein may be applied to yet other embodiments within the scope of the claims hereto attached.