Abstract:
A transom light includes a lamp and a shroud attached to the lamp. The shroud includes a hollow part and a flange, both arranged substantially concentrically relative to a central axis of the lamp. The hollow part is adapted to receive the lamp therein, and the shroud flange is axially received within a transparent lens such that it is surrounded by an axially projecting lip upstanding from the lens. A gasket is disposed axially against the shroud flange opposite the lens so as to axially overlap both the shroud flange and the lip of the lens. An arrangement is provided for securing the lens, shroud flange and gasket to a watercraft hull, with the lamp and the hollow part of the shroud received in an opening in the hull. Structure is provided on the lens to retain thereon a decorative bezel arrangement.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a transom light for flush mounting on the hull of a watercraft. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A conventional flush mount transom light for watercraft (FIG. 8) includes an open ended lamp housing H which has a light bulb (not shown) mounted therein and is adapted to extend through an opening in the hull (not shown) of a watercraft. The lamp housing outer end, and hence the hull opening is covered by a substantially transparent lens L which is in turn covered along its outer perimeter by a substantially annular bezel B. Coaxially aligned screw holes are formed in the bezel and the lamp housing, and screws S are inserted through the aligned holes to fasten the lamp assembly to the watercraft hull. Thus, the bezel is used to retain the lens over the hull opening and lamp housing so that the light shines therethrough. The bezel is typically a decorative item, made from, for example, chrome plated metal or stainless steel. However, the screw heads at the outer ends of the fastening screws are visible within the bezel holes after the installation is complete. The visibility of these screws detracts from the decorative appearance of the bezel and thus the overall appearance of the transom light. Moreover, water leakage through the screw holes in the bezel is a potential problem with such conventional transom lights. 
     Another problem with such conventional transom lights is that the lens typically seats against a perimeter flange F on the lamp housing which perimeter flange bears against a portion of the watercraft hull immediately surrounding the opening therein. The bezel retains the lens against the outer surface of the flange, and the inner surface of the flange directly abuts the watercraft hull. Thus, water can penetrate into the hull opening by leaking between the lens and the housing flange and by leaking between the housing flange and the hull, in addition to the previously discussed leakage through the mounting holes. To avoid such moisture penetration, separate gaskets G and GG are conventionally provided respectively between the lens and the housing flange and the housing flange and the hull. The necessity of providing at least two gaskets disadvantageously increases production costs, complicates installation, and adds to the overall thickness of what is desirably a flush mount apparatus. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flush mount transom light for a watercraft which has no externally visible or accessible fasteners when completely installed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a transom light, as aforesaid, in which the lamp housing can be sealed against water penetration between itself and both the lens and watercraft hull by means of a single gasket. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a transom light, as aforesaid, which provides ventilation for a light bulb used therein. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a transom light, as aforesaid, which is easily transported with all of its parts completely assembled. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a transom light, as aforesaid, which is aesthetically pleasing and which meets existing maritime standards regarding the required angle of visibility of the light. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a transom light, as aforesaid, which is inexpensive to manufacture, and easily assembled and installed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objects and purposes of the invention, including those mentioned above, are met by providing a transom light for flush mounting on a watercraft hull which has no externally visible or accessible fasteners when completely installed, and the housing of which can be sealed against water penetration between itself and both the lens and watercraft hull by means of a single gasket. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described in detail hereinafter in connection with the drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the externally visible portion of the transom light of the present invention as viewed from the lower right front; 
     FIG. 2 is a pictorial view showing the transom light of FIG. 1 as viewed from the lower right rear; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 3--3 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the gasket of the FIG. 1 transom light; 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the lens of the FIG. 1 transom light; 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the lamp shroud of the FIG. 1 transom light; and 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded pictorial view of a prior art transom light. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description the terms &#34;front&#34; and &#34;rear&#34; refer to the left and right directions, respectively, in FIG. 3. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2-4, a transom light assembly 10 of the present invention includes a lamp unit (hereafter merely the lamp) 13 having a body 15 in which a conventional light bulb 17 is receivable. A pair of conductors 19 are electrically connected to a conventional socket (not shown) within front end of the body 15 for removably receiving the light bulb 17. The conductors 19 are insulated where they emerge from the rear end of the lamp 13 and are conventionally connectable to a suitable source of electric power to light the light bulb 17. 
     The body 15 has a generally right circular cylindrical configuration, and includes a radially extending annular flange 21 at the front end thereof. The light bulb 17 inserted in the front end of the body 15 is surrounded by the flange 21. A plurality of resilient arms 23 extend forward from the flanged end of the lamp body 15 so as to be spaced circumferentially around the base of the light bulb 17. Tapered tabs 25 project radially outwardly from the arms 23. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a lamp shroud 27 includes a right circular cylindrical portion 29 coaxial with the lamp 13. The shroud 27 includes a radially outwardly extending annular flange 31 which is forwardly spaced from the cylindrical portion 29 and connected thereto by an intervening, forwardly divergent conical portion 33. The cylindrical portion 29, conical portion 33 and annular flange 31 are coaxial. The cylindrical portion 29 and the conical portion 33 are hollow, and loosely receive the light bulb 17. 
     The cylindrical portion 29 includes a radially inwardly extending annular lip 35 at its rear end. The resilient arms 23 of the lamp 13 are inserted forwardly into the cylindrical portion 29 and press radially outwardly against a radially inner edge of the annular lip 35. When the annular flange 21 of the lamp 13 bears forwardly against the annular lip 35 of the shroud 27, the tabs 25 snap radially outward over the front of the lip 35 and the lip 35 is thus positively captured between the tabs 25 and the annular lamp flange 21. Thus, a snap fit coupling between the lamp 13 and the shroud 27 is effected. 
     The flange 21 has circumferentially extending notches 26 through which extend axially projecting stops 36 located on the annular lip 35 (FIG. 2). The stops 36 and notches 26 coact to limit relative rotation between the lamp body 15 and the shroud 27 to facilitate replacing the bulb 17. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 7, the conical portion 33 includes a pair of diametrically opposed rectangular openings 37 therein which adjoin the flange 31 at its inner edge. The transom light 10 is preferably mounted so that the rectangular openings 37 are respectively located vertically above and below the light bulb 17. Thus, as the air within the shroud 27 is heated, it rises and can escape through the upper opening 37 while being simultaneously replaced with cooler air drawn up into the conical portion 33 of the shroud 27 through the lower opening 37. Accordingly, the rectangular openings 37 permit an advantageous convection cooling air flow which keeps the air temperature in the shroud 27 lower than in conventional transom lights which have closed shrouds (see FIG. 8). Such lower temperatures obviously result in a longer operating life for the light bulb 17. Additionally, the convection air flow helps reduce the incidence of undesirable moisture condensation within the transom light, and resultant &#34;fogging&#34; of the hereafter described lens. 
     Two diametrically opposed, circumferentially extending walls 39 are located along the inner edge of the shroud flange 31 and project forwardly for a small distance therefrom. The walls 39 are horizontally opposed and each located circumferentially midway between the rectangular openings 37. The shroud flange 31 also includes a pair of diametrically opposed circular mounting holes 41 adjacent the radially outer edge thereof and radially aligned with the rectangular openings 37. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, a disk-shaped and substantially transparent lens 43 includes a flat annular outer portion 45 which surrounds a forwardly dome-shaped central portion 47. The dome-shaped central portion 47 is slightly forwardly offset from the outer portion 45 and is joined thereto by a forwardly raised step 49 which defines the radially inner edge of the annular outer portion 45. An annular lip 51 extends circumferentially along the outer peripheral edge of the outer portion 45, and projects rearwardly for a distance approximately equal to the axial thickness of the shroud flange 31 to define a shallow rear facing recess. The shroud flange 31 is coaxially received in the shallow rear facing recess in the lens 43 such that the outer peripheral edge of the shroud flange 31 is closely surrounded by the lip 51, and the flange 31 bears forwardly against the outer portion 45 of the lens with the rear faces of the flange 31 and lens lip 51 substantially flush. 
     As seen from the front in FIG. 6, the axially raised step 49 includes a semi-circular part 53 and a horizontal, upper, straight (chordal) part 55, which forms a chord relative to the semi-circular part. As seen in FIG. 3, the dome-shaped portion 47 is undercut rearward and radially inward throughout the straight part 55 of the step 49 so as to slightly radially overlap the outer portion 45 of the lens 43 adjacent the straight part 55 (FIG. 3). 
     The dome-shaped portion 47 has a substantially, concave rear surface 57 which faces the shroud 27 and has horizontal ridges parallel to the straight part 55 of the step 49. The dome-shaped portion 47 also has a smooth convex front surface 59. The apex of the dome-shaped portion 47 is coaxial with the lamp 13. 
     The outer portion 45 of the lens 43 includes a pair of diametrically opposed circular countersunk holes 61 arranged so that a line drawn therebetween bisects the straight part 55 of the step 49. The countersunk holes 61 are coaxially aligned with the holes 41 in the shroud flange 31. 
     The lens 43 further includes a circumferentially extending tab 63 which projects radially outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the rear projecting lip 51. The tab 63 is circumferentially symmetric with respect to the lower countersunk hole 61 and is diametrically opposite the straight part 55 of the step 49. In this embodiment, the tab 63 extends circumferentially through approximately 45 degrees as measured from the center of the lens 43. 
     With the shroud flange 31 forwardly received in the lens 43, an annular resilient (e.g. rubber) gasket 65 (FIG. 5) having a pair of diametrically opposed circular mounting holes 67 formed therein is axially applied against rear faces of both the shroud flange 31 and the rearward projecting lip 51 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The gasket 65 has an outer diameter at least as large as the outer diameter of the lens 43, and an inner diameter which is substantially less than the distance between the countersunk holes 61, to ensure radial overlapping of both the lens lip 51 and the shroud flange 31. The gasket 65 is oriented so that the holes 67 are coaxially aligned with the aligned holes 41 and 61 in the shroud 27 and the lens 43. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the lamp 13 is adapted to be received in an opening 71 in the hull 69 of a watercraft. The gasket 65 is sandwiched axially between the hull 69 and the shroud flange 31 and lens lip 51. Thus, the flange 31 is sealed by the single gasket 65 against penetration of water between itself and both the lens 43 and hull 69. 
     Screws 75 having tapered heads 79 (e.g. flat head screws) are driven through the aligned holes 61, 41 and 67 and into the hull 69 to removably secure the lens 43, shroud 27 and gasket 65 to the hull 69. Conical resilient washers 73 are received in the countersunk holes 61 of the lens 43 between the tapered screw heads 79 and the lens. These washers prevent leakage of moisture between the screw heads 79 and lens 43 into the space between the lens 43 and the shroud 27. 
     The holes 67 in the gasket 65 have a diameter approximately equal to the root diameter of the screws 75 so that the threads 77 prevent the screws 75 from passing freely axially through the holes 67. Thus, as best shown in FIG. 2, with the lens 43, shroud 27 and gasket 65 carried on the screws 75 adjacent their heads 79, the gasket 65 axially grips the screw threads 77, whereby the lens 43 and the shroud 27 are held relatively firmly axially between the gasket 65 and the screw heads 79. Thus, the lamp 13, shroud 27, lens 43, gasket 65, washers 73 and screws 75, when so assembled, are easily transported and installed as a unit in the hull 69. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, an annular bezel 81 includes an inner peripheral edge 83 which defines a central opening 85 therein shaped to snugly receive therein the axially raised step 49 and dome portion 47 of the lens 43. The bezel 81 includes a sloped peripheral wall 87, and a rim 89 extending radially inwardly from the outer peripheral wall 87 and terminating at the inner peripheral edge 83. The rim 89 includes a semi-circular portion 91 which corresponds to the semi-circular part 53 of the lens raised step 49, and which slopes rearward and radially inward to a semi-circular portion of the inner peripheral edge 83. 
     The rim 89 also includes a catch portion 93 having a chordally extending catch 95 at its inner peripheral edge 83. The remainder of the catch portion 93 is generally planar and extends radially between the catch 95 and the outer peripheral wall 87. The catch 95 slopes rearward and radially inward from the radially extending remainder of the catch portion 93. As shown particularly in FIG. 3, the undercut straight part 55 of the raised step 49 of the lens defines a retainer 99 for the catch 95 of the bezel. 
     The outer peripheral wall 87 includes a pair of closely circumferentially spaced radial inward projections 97 which are diametrally remote from the catch 95 and face toward same. 
     With the lens oriented as in FIG. 3, the bezel 81 is snap fitted onto the lens 43 by sliding the bezel catch 95 downward and rearward into engagement with the undercut retainer 99 on the front of the lens 43, and then by pivoting the bezel semi-circular portion 91 rearward toward the lens 43 forcibly such that the bezel projections 97 are snapped rearwardly under the lens tab 63 and are trapped behind the lens tab. In this installed position, the bezel outer peripheral wall 87 loosely radially surrounds the lens lip 51, the bezel rim 89 frontally covers the outer portion 45 of the lens 43 and the heads 79 of the screws 75, the lens dome-shaped portion 47 protrudes forward through the central opening 85, and the step 49 is snugly surrounded by the bezel inner peripheral edge 83 with the bezel catch 95 snugly retained against the undercut retainer 99 of the lens and the bezel projections 97 resiliently pressing radially toward the lip 51 at a location axially between the tab 63 and the gasket 65. Thus, the lens 43 is firmly gripped between the bezel catch 95 and projections 97. 
     Thus, the bezel 81 can be easily removably snap fitted over the lens 43 after the lens, shroud 27, body 15, washers 73, and gasket 65 have been assembled on the screws 75, for convenient transportation and storage of the entire transom light 10 as a unit. 
     When the transom light 10 is to be mounted on the boat hull 69, the bezel 81 is simply resiliently snapped off the lens 43 by reversing the above installation steps. Then the lamp 13 and shroud 27 are inserted rearward into the hull opening 71 toward their FIG. 3 position, the screws 75 are driven rearward into the hull 69 to seal the lens outer peripheral lip 51 and shroud flange 31 onto gasket 65 and seal gasket 65 onto the outer surface of the boat hull 69. Then, the bezel 81 is again snap fitted over the lens 43 to complete installation of the transom light 10. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the semi-circular portion 91 of the rim 89 inclines from the wall 87 toward the lens step 49 so as to provide the angle of visibility α required by maritime safety standards. 
     To replace a worn out light bulb 17, the bezel 81 is snapped off the lens, the screws 75 are backed out, and the lens 43 is removed to expose the bulb 17. After changing the bulb, these steps are reversed to reinstall the transom light 10. 
     In the disclosed embodiment, the bezel 81 is stainless steel, the lens 43 is molded from polycarbonate, the shroud 27 is molded from polycarbonate, and the body 15 of the lamp 13 is molded from polycarbonate. 
     Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.