Illuminated accessory assembly for motorized vessels and method of mounting the same

An illuminated accessory device for use on a motorized vessel, comprising:

• a mounting surface for mounting to a surface of the motorized vessel, said mounting surface having at least one opening;
• an enclosed channel in an interior portion of or on a periphery of the accessory device, said enclosed channel terminating at one end at said mounting surface opening;
• a light source disposed within or secured to said accessory device and having an illumination surface flush or substantially flush with an outer surface of the accessory device;
• a fastener or post integral with or connected to said accessory device mounting surface, said fastener or post having proximal and distal ends and comprising a channel extending between said proximal and distal ends along a length thereof, said fastener or post further comprising an external engagement surface extending axially in a direction away from the interior portion of the accessory device;
• and
• a wire harness extending within said enclosed channel and through said fastener or post channel, said wire harness electrically connected at a first end to said light source and having a terminal end extending beyond said distal end of said fastener or post,
• wherein said fastener or post provides mechanical attachment to the surface of the motorized vessel via the external engagement surface and also serves as a conduit for the wire harness;
• and
• wherein upon connection of said wire harness terminal end to a power source, the light source is adapted to illuminate an area proximate the accessory device.

A hand rail for providing illumination to a surface of a motorized vessel, the hand rail comprising:

• a central bar member having opposing ends and a pair of feet, each foot disposed at one end of the central bar member and at least one foot comprising an opening;
• a channel in an interior portion of said central bar member, said channel terminating at one or both ends at said foot opening or openings;
• a light source disposed within or connected to said central bar member, said light source having an illumination surface flush or substantially flush with an outer surface of the central bar member;
• a fastener or post integral with or connected to each foot of the pair of feet, each fastener or post having proximal and distal ends and at least one of said fasteners or posts comprising a channel extending between said proximal and distal ends along a length thereof, said fastener or post further comprising an external engagement surface extending in a direction away from the hand rail interior portion channel;
• and
• a wire harness extending within said central bar member channel and through said fastener or post channel, said wire harness electrically connected at a first end to said light source and having a terminal end extending beyond a distal end of said fastener or post,
• wherein said fastener or post provides mechanical attachment to the surface of the motorized vessel via the external engagement surface and also serves as a conduit for the wire harness;
• and
• wherein upon connection of said wire harness terminal end to a power source, the light source is adapted to illuminate an area proximate the hand rail.