Abstract:
A lighting system for a watercraft which provides a visual indication of the watercraft at a distance during darkness or other inclement conditions. The lighting system comprises a light source or a plurality of light sources which are directed to directly illuminate the hull of the watercraft such that a distinct portion or portions of the hull is directly illuminated and visually identifiable at a distance. Preferably, the port side of the hull is directly illuminated by a red light, the starboard side of the hull is illuminated green and the stern portion of the hull is illuminated yellow so that one observing the watercraft can determine the correct orientation of the watercraft relative to the observer&#39;s position. The light source which directly illuminates the hull of the watercraft is also designed to intermittently flash or strobe based upon the movement of the watercraft, or lack thereof.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to watercraft lighting systems and methods, and more particularly to lighting systems and methods for watercraft which provide a visual indication of a watercraft at a distance. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the increased usage of boats and other watercraft, more dangerous boating conditions have been created by the higher density of traffic on bodies of water used for navigation and recreation. This heightened activity on waterways has likewise increased the need for safety devices which help to alleviate the problems. These safety concerns are particularly important for those engaging in watercraft activity during twilight, nighttime, and inclement weather conditions due to decreased visibility and the need for elevated levels of awareness. 
     This need for increased safety has been recognized by governments and their almost universal legislative mandates requiring navigational lights on watercraft. Typical conventional navigational running lights consist of a single light located at the bow of the boat having a green lens on the starboard side and a red lens on the port side of the boat and a single light located at the stern of the boat. Unfortunately, this precautionary effort by government has proven inadequate as the number of accidents involving watercraft continues to occur with regularity. The resulting cost in human and material resources is significant. 
     Many reasons exist to explain the causes of these accidents, but most reasons involve the low visibility of watercraft at night even though these watercraft are properly equipped with required navigational running lights. A shortcoming of conventional navigational lights mounted on watercraft is that these conventional lighting systems do not readily allow watercraft operators to determine the distance and orientation of other watercraft in the vicinity. This inability of watercraft operators to determine depth-of-field by observing other watercraft navigational lights can cause watercraft operators to erroneously conclude that navigational lights of other watercraft are lights located on shore. The orientation of watercraft is also difficult to determine from navigational lights because at even minimal distances, blending of the different colored navigational lights tends to occur causing confusion to other watercraft operators. Conventional navigational light assemblies may produce glare off of the windshield of the watercraft hampering the vision of or otherwise distracting the watercraft operator. 
     Another problem with conventional navigational lighting on watercraft is the inability of the lighting system to communicate the relative motion of the watercraft on the water to observers not on that watercraft. This is an especially significant problem when watercraft are substantially stationary in the water, as occurs when anchored during fishing or other stationary activity, for example. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an improved watercraft lighting system and method is provided which enhances the visibility of a watercraft at night or during other inclement conditions. This improved boat lighting system is designed to improve the perception of distance and relative motion of a watercraft to other watercraft operators. In one embodiment of the present invention, lights are associated with the watercraft such that the lights directly illuminate at least a substantial portion of the hull located above the waterline of the watercraft thereby providing a distinct, visual indication of the hull of the watercraft to observers at a distance from that watercraft such as in another watercraft or on shore, for example, which permits improved observation of the existence of the watercraft. Preferably, the lighting system also provides some indication of the size, distance, speed, direction and orientation of the watercraft particularly compared to conventional navigational lights. Preferably, the improved watercraft lighting system provides a visual indication of the watercraft at a distance of at least 500 feet, more preferably at one-eighth of a mile, and most preferably of one-half of a mile or more. The distance will, of course, depend on the size of the boat&#39;s hull and the intensity of the lighting. As used herein, “observer” or “off-craft observer” means a person generally horizontally spaced 100 feet or more from the watercraft lighted in accordance with the invention, such as a person on another watercraft or on shore, for example, observing with his naked eye. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the direction and orientation of the watercraft is more readily discernible by providing that the lights which substantially illuminate the port side of the hull above the waterline emit red light, the lights that substantially illuminate the starboard side of the hull emit green light, and the lights that substantially illuminate the stem of the boat emit white light, or some other variation of colors, as desired. The lights may be appropriately shielded so that substantially only light directed from the light source onto the hull is visible by an observer (such as an observer on another watercraft) at a distance. Thus, the observer views light reflected from the hull. In addition, a lens or lenses may be employed to focus and/or diffuse light onto the hull as desired. The area and intensity of light that illuminates the hull depends on the size of the watercraft and the lighting effect that is desired. Generally at least about 10% or 10 square feet of each of the starboard and port sides of the hull area that is above the waterline should be illuminated by the lighting system of the invention. Bow and/or stem portions may also be illuminated if desired. Preferably a greater area or percentage of hull area will be illuminated such that 25% or 50% and/or at least 25, 50 or 100 square feet or more of the above waterline hull area, that is observable by an off-craft observer (such as an observer on another boat), is illuminated by the lighting system of the present invention. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention provides a sensor which detects the motion and speed of the watercraft relative to the body of water or to another reference and accordingly activates the boat lighting system to operate in a manner which clearly indicates the direction and rate of motion of the watercraft. The direction of motion can be indicated by the intermittent and sequential activation of separate lights comprising the lighting system advancing in the direction of movement of the watercraft, whereas the rate of motion of the watercraft relative to the body of water or other reference can be indicated by the rate of flashing of the improved watercraft lighting system. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a device is provided which intermittently activates and deactivates the watercraft lighting system thereby indicating when the watercraft is in motion or is substantially stationary in the water. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method indicating the presence at night of a watercraft, having a hull that extends above the waterline of the craft, to an off-craft observer is provided. The method includes directing light from a light source mounted to the watercraft onto at least the portion of the above-waterline portion of the hull to cover sufficient hull areas with light and at an intensity sufficient to make the lighted portion observable by the off-craft observer located at a distance from the watercraft of at least about 500 feet or more. In accordance with a related aspect, the method also includes indicating the forward or rearward direction of travel of the watercraft to the off-craft observer. In accordance with this aspect, the method includes sensing the direction of forward and rearward movement of the watercraft and directing light from a plurality of light sources horizontally spaced on at least one side of the hull above the waterline and sequentially flashing the light sources to correspond to and indicate the direction of travel of the watercraft to the off-craft observer. The rate of sequential flashing can be proportional to the speed of the watercraft and thus the relative speed of the watercraft can also be indicated. 
     The following detailed description will more readily describe and make apparent these and other objects and advantages of the present invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a watercraft outfitted with the improved boat lighting system according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the watercraft and lighting system shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a watercraft equipped with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the watercraft and improved lighting system illustrated in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a watercraft equipped with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the watercraft and improved lighting system depicted in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a portion of the watercraft illustrating a motion sensor attached to the propeller shaft of the watercraft; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a portion of the watercraft having a motion sensor attached to the underside of the hull of the watercraft; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the improved watercraft lighting system provided with a clamping assembly to facilitate attachment of the improved watercraft lighting system to the watercraft; and 
     FIG. 10 is an alternate embodiment of the improved watercraft lighting system utilized by a sailboat. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a watercraft  10  about 35 feet in length, having a hull  14 , is shown provided with the present invention, a boat lighting system  12 , which is shown positioned on hull  14  below gunwale  16  of watercraft  10  and extends around at least substantially the entire perimeter of the watercraft  10 . Hull  14  of watercraft  10  is comprised of a bow portion  18 , a starboard portion  20 , a stem portion  22  and a port portion  23 . Preferably, for use with the invention, hull  14  is white or some other light color for maximum visibility when illuminated. Improved boat lighting system  12  illuminates a significant above the waterline portion of hull  14 . In particular, the improved boat lighting system  12  illuminates bow  18  with light rays Rw of white light, starboard portion  20  of hull  14  with light rays Rg of green light and port portion  23  of hull  14  with light rays Rr of red light, and stern portion  22  with light rays Ry of yellow light. A single color or other combination of colors can be utilized in accordance with the invention. A sufficiently large surface area of hull  14  is illuminated with sufficient light intensity to enable watercraft  10  to be readily observable at night by a naked eye observer without difficulty at a relatively long distance, such as one-quarter or one-half mile or more, for example. 
     Boat lighting system  12  can be a neon or other type of light strips  12   a,    12   b,    12   c  and  12   d  for providing the desired white, green, red and yellow light as previously described. For example, light strips  12   a,    12   b,    12   c  and  12   d  may be composed of a string of high intensity light bulbs contained within a housing (not shown). In addition, lighting system  12  is composed of a source of electricity (not shown) and suitable wiring (not shown) to connect light strips to the electrical source and control device as hereafter described. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an alternate embodiment of the improved watercraft lighting system  24  of the invention is provided which illuminates distinct portions of starboard side  28 ′ of hull  28  as well as the port side (not illustrated) and bow side of watercraft  30 . Lighting system  24  is composed of a plurality of horizontally spaced apart lights  26 ( a )-( m ) mounted on an upper portion of hull  28  and oriented to shine light downwardly on hull  28  to illuminate a substantial above water portion thereof. It should be evident that the number of light emitting elements may increase or decrease or otherwise be varied as desired with respect to the total surface area of the hull of the watercraft to be illuminated to provide the desired coverage and intensity. Similarly, the port portion (shown partially in FIG. 4) of hull  28  of watercraft  30  is outfitted with the alternate embodiment of the improved watercraft lighting system  24  in a manner similar to starboard side  28 ′. 
     Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, light emitting elements  26 ( a )-( e ) that illuminate the starboard portion  28 ′ of the hull  28  of the watercraft  30  may emit green light Rg, elements  26 ( f )-( k ) that illuminate the bow portion  29  of the hull  28  may emit white light Rw and those elements, including elements  26 ( l )- 26 ( m ), that illuminate the port portion of the hull  28  of the watercraft  30  may emit red light Rr such that the separate portions of the hull of the watercraft are more distinctly indicated, although any color or colors of light can be utilized. In addition, light elements (not shown), such as light element  26 , may be located to illuminate stem portion  33  of hull  28 . 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 show another alternative embodiment of the improved watercraft lighting system whereby a plurality of light emitting elements  32 ( a )-( m ) that illuminate a substantial portion of hull  34  of a watercraft  40  are located at or near the waterline  36  of the hull  34  of the watercraft  40  and direct light upwardly on hull  34 . Light emitting elements  32 ( a )-( m ) can be similar to light emitting elements  26 ( a )-( m ), except elements  32 ( a )-( m ) are oriented to direct light upwardly on starboard, bow and port portions  28 ′,  29  and  31 , respectively of hull  34 . Light elements used in accordance with the invention, such as elements  26 ( a )-( m ) and  32 ( a )-( m ), should be appropriately constructed for exposure to water and the elements, as is known to those skilled in the art. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, lights can be flashed in sequence to indicate direction to an observer off the watercraft. The rate of flashing can also be varied in proportion to the relative watercraft speed to provide an indication to observers off the watercraft of relative speed. To achieve these features, various sensors and control systems can be utilized. 
     Any suitable type of sensor to indicate watercraft movement and/or relative speed can be utilized. For example, FIGS. 7 and 8 show alternative types of motion sensors  38  and  48 , respectively. In FIG. 7, sensor  38  senses speed and direction of shaft  42  which drives propeller  44  of a stem drive  46  of watercraft  30 . In this manner, the speed and direction of watercraft  30  can be determined. The speed and direction data is detected by light system controller  50  through sensor wire  52  which connects sensor  38  and controller  50 . Controller  50  determines the direction and frequency of sequential flashing of the system lights and is connected to the system lights in a suitable manner, such as via a suitable electrically conductive wire  54  (only light element  26 ( a ) is shown for convenience), to supply electricity to the system lights at appropriate intervals. Controller  50  may include a microprocessor to perform the control functions for the system lights and switching structure to direct electricity to the lights in a desired sequence. The improved watercraft lighting system, by utilizing data from any suitable motion sensing means, processed by controller  50 , can indicate the relative direction of travel and the rate of motion of the watercraft. The direction of motion (for example, forward or backward movement) of the watercraft can be indicated by alternately activating and deactivating portions or elements of the improved watercraft lighting system sequentially, whereas the rate of movement of the watercraft can be indicated by the frequency of the activation and deactivation of the portions or elements of the improved watercraft lighting system. For example, forward movement of the watercraft can be indicated by activating the portions or elements of the improved lighting system in sequence starting at the stern portion of the boat (lighting element  26 ( a ), for example) and moving towards the bow portion of the boat (ending with lighting element  26 ( h ), for example). Alternatively, the portion or elements of the light which start the sequence may remain activated or deactivate upon activation of the next portion or element of the lighting system. Moreover, when the motion sensor senses that the watercraft is substantially stationary in the water, the watercraft lighting system can alternately activate and deactivate to indicate that the watercraft is substantially motionless, such as with all lights periodically flashing on and off at the same time, for example. 
     Alternatively, the transmission position of the motor of the watercraft can signal the improved watercraft lighting system to provide the indication of the direction of motion, or lack thereof, of the watercraft as previously described. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, a lighting element  56  useful with the watercraft lighting system of the invention is shown attached to the hull  60  of a boat utilizing a conventional clamping assembly  58  which allows for attachment or removal of the improved lighting system from the watercraft. Clamping assembly  58  includes a clamping jaw  62  and a threaded member  64  for tightening jaw  62  against hull  60 . This embodiment of the watercraft lighting system is useful as an aftermarket add-on device for watercraft not originally equipped with the watercraft lighting system of the present invention. This embodiment is also useful to owners of multiple watercraft in terms of interchangeability and for ease of repair and/or maintenance of the watercraft lighting system in certain instances. Lighting element  56  is configured to project light R downwardly against the side of hull  60 . As illustrated, lighting element  56  includes a light bulb or source  66 , a lens  68  to focus and diffuse light R onto the surface of hull  60 , and a housing  70  which contains light bulb  66  mounted and contained therein in an enclosed waterproof manner. Bulb  66  is connected to an electrical source (not shown). Housing  70  is opaque and thus also acts as a light shield, preventing off-craft observers from directly viewing light from bulb  66  (the observer sees light R directed onto hull  60 ). 
     FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of a watercraft lighting system  72  utilized by a sailboat  74 . Lighting system  72  is similar to lighting system  12  previously described. 
     The positioning of the improved watercraft lighting system on or about the watercraft is not critical as long as a substantial portion of the hull of the watercraft can be illuminated with sufficient intensity to permit observation by a distant observer. 
     Illumination of a substantial portion of the hull of the watercraft by the improved watercraft lighting system in accordance with the invention can be achieved either through direct or indirect illumination. Indirect illumination may be achieved through reflective focusing of the light emitted from the light emitting element, for example. 
     Providing the improved watercraft lighting system to illuminate different sections of the hull allows for easier visual indication of the orientation of the watercraft relative to the perspective of the observer. Specifically, the observer would be able to determine the orientation of the watercraft equipped with the improved watercraft lighting system by observing the color of the portion of the hull which is illuminated. Moreover, by illuminating a large portion of the hull with the watercraft lighting system, a discernible profile of the hull of the watercraft is apparent and provides observers, particularly in other watercraft at a distance with a visual indication of the orientation and size of the watercraft regardless of the color of the illuminated portion of the hull of the watercraft. Providing a discernible profile of the whole of the watercraft utilizing the improved watercraft lighting system helps to mitigate the blending effect of the differently colored illuminated portions of the hull when viewed from a distance. Likewise, because substantial portions of the hull may be illuminated by different colors of light, as opposed to the use of conventional point light sources, the blending of the differently colored lights when viewed from a distance is substantially lessened. 
     Because the whole of the hull can be substantially illuminated by the improved watercraft lighting system, the direction and rate of movement of the watercraft is also more readily discernible to an observer of the watercraft. This illumination of a significant portion of the hull of the watercraft makes the watercraft stand out during darkness and inclement weather conditions as the substantially illuminated hull appears to be framed by the darker surroundings of the watercraft. Likewise, as the hull of the watercraft can be substantially illuminated, enough ambient light may reflect off of the hull of the watercraft and/or the water which appears as a halo of light surrounding the watercraft which further helps to highlight the position, orientation and movement of the watercraft. Alternatively, this halo effect can be improved by providing that the light emitted by the improved watercraft lighting system illuminates a portion of the water surrounding the hull of the watercraft. 
     The above described embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative only and should not be considered to limit the invention as set forth in the following claims. It will be understood that the invention is capable of numerous changes, modifications and rearrangements and such changes, modifications and rearrangements are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.