Patent Publication Number: US-2003231505-A1

Title: Boat stern strobe light

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] Provisional Patent Application No. 60/390,227 filed Jun. 18, 2002 Confirmation No. 8841 
    
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED R &amp; D  
       [0002] Not applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING  
       [0003] Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] The field of endeavor to which this invention pertains is boating safety. Existing boat stem lights are white lights with a 360-degree, one-mile radius visibility that have a tendency to “blend” with background lights in developed areas along lakes and rivers.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] A small  12 -volt electronic strobe light circuit is placed in the upper portion of a stem light mast. The strobe flash tube is mounted on top of a 360-degree, one-mile radius light. The flashing strobe draws the attention of other boaters to the 360-degree, one-mile radius light in darkness, low light, and fog conditions.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
     [0006] The drawing depicts a typical standard i.d. 48″ to 54″ boat stem light aluminum tube with a typical two-pin, 12-volt female plug on the bottom. The 360-degree, one-mile visible, 12-volt bulb is mounted on top of the aluminum tube with a typical socket and clear lens. The Xenon flash tube is mounted on top of the 360-degree lens inside its clear lens and wired to the 12-volt electronic flash module placed inside the aluminum tube. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0007] A 12-volt electronic flash circuit has been designed that can be installed inside a standard ⅝″-{fraction (11/16)}″ boat stem light mast. The electronic circuit requires the Xenon flash tube to be as close to the electronic circuit as possible; therefore, the electronic circuit is mounted inside the top of the mast. The Xenon flash tube is mounted on top of the 360-degree, one-mile radius light lens to afford maximum visibility. Existing boat stem lights do not have Xenon flash capability.