Multipurpose Light Assembly

Abstract

A buoyant body of foamed polyurethane equipped with an illuminating light which is directed downwardly into the water when the body is floating on the water's surface. A smaller signal light at the top of the body serves as a warning light. The assembly may be held by a handle formed along its upper end. The light emitting face of the assembly is sealed with a recessed, light transmitting face plate to provide a treated, directional light beam of white light set in a thin annular field of blue light to provide improved illumination in highly reflective environments. Power is preferably supplied from a remote source through a flexible electrical line and a three-way switch is included on the assembly to energize the illuminating light and/or the signal light. The buoyant body has a low center of gravity and is equipped with an annular recess along its outer surface which cooperates with the inset area over the face plate to increase floatation stability when the body is in an upright position.

Parent Case Text

This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior copending U.S. patent application executed on Apr. 21, 1971, entitled "Light Treating Means" and bearing Ser. No. 136,799, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,135.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multipurpose light assembly designed to float on the water's surface for fishing or signaling purposes, or to be hand held to provide a directional illuminating light.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

The majority of the prior art lights known to applicant which have been employed for attracting fish are normally rigidly attached to the boat or structure from which they are used. Often, such prior art light must be submerged and held below the surface of the water. Because of the rigid mounting required to properly position these fish attracting lights, such lights are usually not suitable for general purpose application.

The prior art does not include a satisfactory, free floating lamp designed to direct a fish attracting or illuminating beam downwardly into the water. In addition, none of such prior art known to applicant includes special stabilizing provisions for preventing a free floating lamp of this type from tipping over when it encounters waves or wind.

Conventional incandescent lights employed in water environments are also unsatisfactory to the extent that they produce undesirable reflection which impairs illumination. The diffuse light provided by a gas lamp employing a glowing mantle has often been used in water environments to provide a light which reduces reflection from the surface of the water. Gas lamps are, however, subject to breakage when they come into contact with the water because of the high heat associated with the lamps operation. In addition, when employed as a fish attracting lamp, gas lanterns and other light means which are suspended above the water's surface attract flying insects such as mosquitoes and gnats which are a source of annoyance to night fishermen. Conventional gas lanterns also lack the ability to provide a highly directional, relatively intense light beam.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A buoyant body is employed to support a sealed beam lamp which emits an intense, highly directional beam of illuminating light from the lower end of the body. The upper end of the lamp body is provided with a signaling light and a handle. The external body surface is equipped with a stabilizing design which tends to maintain the body in an upright position even when the body is subjected to wave or wind forces. The body is equipped with a low center of gravity which also increases the floatation stability of the body when it is in an upright position. The light emitting end of the body is covered by a recessed, specially treated light transmitting face plate which simultaneously provides an improved light beam and acts as a waterproofing shield. The depressed area formed by recessing the plate from the end of the body creates a low pressure area when the body is raised with respect to the water surface which further increases floatation stability. When floating on a water surface, the illuminating fish attracting light emitted from the assembly of the present invention is directed downwardly into the water.

A foamed polyurethane material is preferably employed for forming the light body. The density of the material is selected to provide the desired buoyancy while maintaining a predetermined portion of the body submerged to assist in the stabilizing action. Use of a suitable polyurethane as the body material ensures that the body is heavy enough to float properly in the water to resist wind and wave movement and tipping and to properly submerge the stabilizing portion of the body. The polyurethane body also provides the necessary structural strength while simultaneously providing a body which is not unduly heavy so that it may be used as a hand held device.

The external design of the lamp of the present invention includes spaced upper and lower ends which are adapted to float above the water's surface and on the water's surface respectively. The upper and lower ends are coaxially disposed about a central axis and the body is substantially in the form of a figure of revolution formed about the central axis. The stabilizing design is included in the body by providing a recessed, annular section formed along the outer surface of the body between the upper and lower ends. The design, in addition to rendering the light stable in wave and wind action, lends itself to modern molding techniques to reduce production costs.

The treated, light treating face plate produces an improved, highly directional beam of white light set in an annular field of blue light. Light having the characteristics of that produced by the present invention is particularly advantageous in highly reflective environments such as are encountered on the water's surface, in water and in rain or fog. The assembly of the present invention may be employed as a free floating, fish attracting light, a hand held illuminating light, a floating signaling or warning light and an emergency life preserver. Additional advantages, features and uses of the lamp of the present invention may also be determined from the following specification, the related drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the multipurpose light assembly of the present invention floating on a water surface;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the light emitting end of the light assembly; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the multipurpose light assembly of the present invention is indicated generally at 10 floating on the surface of a body of water W. The assembly 10 includes a main body section 11 having an upper end 12 and a lower end 13. In normal usage, the assembly 10 is adapted to float on a water surface with the lower end 13 being slightly submerged below the surface and the upper end 12 elevated above the water's surface. Power to supply the various light producing means contained within the body section 11 is supplied through an insulated, flexible, electrical line 14 which extends to a source of electrical power (not shown). Although not specifically illustrated, it will be understood that the source of electrical power may be a conventional storage battery carried by a boat or other structure.

The upper body end 12 is equipped with a handle 15 by which the light body may be grasped to be moved or to be used for a hand light.

Referring jointly to FIGS. 1 and 3, the upper end of the body 11 is equipped with a signaling or warning light indicated generally at 16. An illuminating light means indicated generally at 17 is carried adjacent the lower end 13 of the lamp body and is positioned to direct a beam of light from the lower body end. A suitable waterproof switch indicated at 18 is employed to regulate operation of the warning light 16 and the illuminating light 17. It will be understood that the switch may include suitable contacts for selectively energizing or deenergizing either the illuminating light 17 or the signaling light 16, separately or together.

The signal lamp 16 includes a transparent or translucent lens cover 16a which is colored red, yellow or any other suitable color to provide a relatively low intensity signaling or warning light. The lens cover 16a is press fitted to a base portion 16b which in turn is secured by gluing or any other suitable means to the upper end portion 12 of the body 11. The lamp 16 includes a conventional incandescent bulb such as bulb 16c mounted in a suitable receptacle. An insulated, electrical lead 16d extends from the lamp 16c to an electrical connector 19 contained within a central cavity 11a formed within the body portion 11.

Primary illumination is provided by a conventional sealed beam lamp 20 mounted within the body cavity 11a. Electrical connections 20a extend to the connector 19 and supply electrical power to an incandescent filament 20b contained within the lamp 20. In the preferred form, the sealed beam lamp 20 also includes an opaque, reflective shield 20c, a parabolic reflecting surface 20d and a clear light emitting face 20e whereby light emanating from the energized filament 20b is reflected from the surface 20b through the clear face 20e. Also connected to the connector portion 19 are insulated electrical leads 18a which extend to the multiple position switch 18. It will be understood that the power supplied through the separate insulated lines (not illustrated) extending within the supply line 14 is alternatively transmitted to either the bulb 16c, the bulb 20 or both bulbs, or is withheld from both bulbs depending on the position of the switch 18.

The upper and lower body ends 12 and 13 respectively are substantially concentric and are spaced from each other along a common central axis. The external configuration of the body 11 is formed substantially as a figure of revolution about the central axis. An annular recess 11b is formed along the external surface of the body 11 to provide stability in wind and wave action. When floating on the water's surface, a lower annular body portion 11c extends below the water's surface and the upper portion extends above the water surface to provide a stabilizing effect.

To further assist in maintaining the body 11 stable while it is floating on the water, the center of gravity is maintained as nearly as possible along the central axis connecting the upper and lower ends 12 and 13, respectively, and as close as possible to the lower end 13.

Additional wave and wind stabilization is effected by recessing a specially treated face plate 21 from the base of the lamp body to provide a depression 22. A fluid tight joint is formed between the body 11 and the plate 21 with a seal or gasket 23 of rubber or other suitable material. It will be appreciated that the face plate 21 and the seal 23 cooperate with the engaged portions of the body 11 to prevent water from entering the cavity 11a. The plate 21 is preferably secured in position by suitable metal screws 24 which extend through the plate and are anchored to the body 11. The screws 24 are also equipped with waterproofing gaskets (not illustrated) to prevent leakage through the plate. The depression 22 tends to create a low pressure area when the body is raised relative to the surface of the water W to thereby increase the floatation stability of the lamp body when it is in an upright position. The face plate 21 is preferably made from a suitable clear, transparent glass or plexiglass material.

The face plate 21 and lamp 20 cooperate to provide an improved light in a manner more fully described in my aforesaid earlier copending application. Basically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the face plate 21 includes a central circular coating 21a of a blue, translucent light filtering material surrounded by a clear annular area 21b which in turn is surrounded by a second annular coating area 21c of blue translucent light filtering material. The central area and the two circular areas cooperate to form a filtered zone plate by which the light produced by the lamp 20 is filtered and mixed to provide a more natural white light. As more fully explained in said prior application, the areas 21a and 21c are formed by providing a thin, colored coating of translucent material over a clear transparent plate of glass or plexiglass. The coating functions to provide preferential transmission of visible light of preselected wavelengths, which in the case of blue coatings, corresponds to light having a wavelength of approximately 500 nanometers. The annular, clear area 21b functions as an aperture means and is positioned and dimensioned in such a way that light transmitted through the aperture means 21b is mixed with that transmitted through the treating areas 21a and 21c. The resultant beam of white light set in a relatively thin annular field of blue light exhibits improved illumination and reduces glare.

The body 11 and handle 15 are preferably made from a foamed polyurethane. The material is preferably diphenylemethane diisocyanate processed in a prepolymer form with crosslinking reactants, flurocarbon blown. With this material, approximately 90% closed cell construction may be effected to produce a low density material having superior structural strength with excellent solvent resistance and flame resistance.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A multipurpose light assembly comprising:

a. a buoyant body for carrying lighting means;

b. first and second axially spaced ends included in said body;

c. an outer surface on said body extending axially between said first and second ends;

d. first energizable light producing means carried in said body and adapted when energized to direct an illuminating beam of light from said first body end; and

e. stabilizing means including a substantially annular recessed area formed in said outer surface intermediate said first and second ends for rendering said body stable while said body is floating on a water surface in a position with said first body end in contact with the water surface and said second body end elevated above said water surface, said recessed area disposed at a point along said body such that a portion of said recessed area is above the water surface while said body is floating in said position.

2. A multipurpose light assembly as defined in claim 1 further including handle means for carrying and manipulation of said body.

3. A multipurpose light assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein:

a. said second body end includes second energizable light producing means adapted when energized to provide a warning light; and

b. said first and second light means are substantially coaxially disposed whereby said second light means is elevated above the water surface while said first body end is floating on a water surface.

4. A multipurpose light assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein:

a. said first and second spaced ends of said body are substantially coaxially disposed about a central axis; and

b. said body is substantially in the form of a figure of revolution about said central axis.

5. A multipurpose light assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the center of gravity of said light assembly is substantially on said central axis and is more closely disposed to said first than to said second body end.

6. A multipurpose light assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein:

a. said first light means includes a sealed beam lamp;

b. said body is formed from a polyurethane material;

c. handle means are connected to said body adjacent said second body end;

d. a light transmitting face plate is disposed adjacent said first body end over said first light means;

e. said face plate is recessed from said first body end to form an annular depression in said body; and

f. a second energizable light producing means is carried on said second body end.

7. A multipurpose light assembly comprising:

a. a buoyant body for carrying lighting means;

b. first and second spaced ends included in said body;

c. first energizable light producing means carried in said body and adapted when energized to direct an illuminating beam of light from said first body end;

d. stabilizing means included with said body for rendering said body stable while said body is floating on a water surface with said first body end in contact with the water surface and said second body end elevated above said water surface;

e. a light transmitting face plate disposed adjacent said first body end over said first light means whereby light from said first light means is directed through said plate;

f. a first light filtering portion included in said plate for preferential transmission of visible light of preselected wavelengths;

g. light aperture means disposed adjacent said first filtering portion whereby light transmitted through said aperture means is mixed with light transmitted through said first filtering portion to form a combined light at a remote location;

h. a central, substantially circular area included in said first light filtering portion;

i. a substantially annular light aperture area formed concentrically about said circular area of said first light filtering portion; and

j. a second light filtering portion included in said face plate comprising a substantially annular area formed concentrically about both said central circular area and said annular light aperture area.

8. A multipurpose light assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second light filtering portions include means for preferential transmission of light wavelengths of approximately 500 nanometers.

9. A multipurpose light assembly comprising:

a. a buoyant body formed from a polyurethane material for carrying lighting means, said body being substantially in the form of figure of revolution about a central axis;

b. first and second spaced ends substantially coaxially disposed about said central axis with the center of gravity of said light assembly being substantially on said central axis at a point more closely disposed to said first than to said second body end;

c. first energizable light producing means, including a sealed beam lamp, carried in said body and adapted when energized to direct an illuminating beam of light from said first body end;

d. stabilizing means including a substantially annular recessed area formed in the outer surface of said body intermediate said first and second ends for rendering said body stable while said body is floating on a water surface with said first body end in contact with the water surface and said second body end elevated above said water surface;

e. handle means connected to said body adjacent said second body end;

f. light transmitting face plate means disposed over said first lighting means and recessed from said first body end to form an annular depression in said body, wherein:

i. said face plate includes a first light filtering portion for preferential transmission of visible light of preselected wavelengths;

ii. light aperture means are disposed adjacent said first filtering portion whereby light transmitted through said aperture means is mixed with light transmitted through said first filtering portion to form a combined light at a remote location;

iii. said first light filtering portion includes a central, substantially circular area;

iv. said light aperture means includes a substantially annular light aperture area formed concentrically about said circular area;

v. said face plate further includes a second light filtering portion comprising a substantially annular area formed concentrically about both said central circular area and said annular light aperture area; and

vi. said first and second light filtering portions include means for preferential transmission of light wavelengths of approximately 500 nanometers; and

g. a second energizable light producing means carried on said second body end.