# US 2014/0196652 A1 · Solar Powered Iluminated Boat Cleat > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196652 A1 - Document ID: US20140196652A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/151,817 - Filed: 2014-01-10 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-15 - Assignees: Herman N. Philhower, as Trustee of the H N Philhower Family Trust (last dated 10/31/2012) - Applicants: Herman N. Philhower, as Trustee of the H N Philhower Family Trust (last dated 10/31/2012) - Inventors: Robin Charles Adair - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196652A1 ## CPC - B63B 45/00: Arrangements or adaptations of signalling or lighting devices (arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; life-buoys, -belts, -jackets, -suits or the like, characterised by signalling means B63C9/20; lighting devices or systems therefor F21L, F21S) - B63B 21/045: {T-shaped cleats} - B63B 2201/08: Electric light - B63B 2209/18: solar energy - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) ## Abstract The boat cleats of the invention are typically mounted on the watercraft and docks adjacent to the water for tying watercraft to piers as well as to other watercraft and disclose a solar powered modular structure supported within a boat cleat mechanical housing support structure. This arrangement provides savings associated with the provision of through-the-dock wiring access, easy removability for replacement, maintenance and servicing, and which is sealed against the environment. The self contained solar powered modular structure may have communications capabilities to enable distributed control and sensing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A solar powered illuminated boat cleat further comprising: a boat cleat mechanical housing support attachable to a support structure, the boat cleat mechanical housing support having a center area; a solar powered modular structure which can be selectively attachably contained within the center area independent of attachability of the boat cleat mechanical housing support attachability to a support structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The solar powered illuminated boat cleat as recited in claim 1 and wherein the solar powered modular structure further comprises: a waterproof envelope; a battery contained within the envelope; a solar cell contained within the envelope and operatively connected to charge the battery; at least one light source contained within the envelope and operatively connected to charge the battery. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The solar powered illuminated boat cleat as recited in claim 1 and wherein the solar powered modular structure further comprises a photocell connected to enable operation of the at least one light source contained within the envelope when ambient light falls below a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The solar powered illuminated boat cleat as recited in claim 2 and wherein the solar powered modular structure further comprises a controller operably connected to the battery and operably connected to the at least one light source contained within the waterproof envelope to control the at least one light source contained within the waterproof envelope. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The solar powered illuminated boat cleat as recited in claim 4 and wherein the solar powered modular structure further comprises a voltage meter operably connected to the battery and operably connected to the controller contained within the waterproof envelope to enable control of the at least one light source contained within the envelope based upon a voltage level of the battery. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The solar powered illuminated boat cleat as recited in claim 2 and wherein the solar powered modular structure further comprises a transmitter and receiver operably connected to the battery and operably connected to the at least one light source contained within the waterproof envelope to control the at least one light source contained within the waterproof envelope. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The solar powered illuminated boat cleat as recited in claim 1 and wherein the a boat cleat mechanical housing support attachable to a support structure further includes at least a pair of vertical structures, and a pair of oppositely oriented cantilevered arms each cantilevered arm supported adjacent an associated one of the pair of vertical structures. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The solar powered illuminated boat cleat as recited in claim 7 and wherein the a boat cleat mechanical housing support includes a base supporting the vertical structures. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The solar powered illuminated boat cleat as recited in claim 7 and wherein the at least a pair of vertical structures each contains a bore for accommodating bolts passing through the vertical structures for the purpose of enabling bolting of the boat cleat mechanical housing support to a support structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The solar powered illuminated boat cleat as recited in claim 9 and wherein each bore includes a bolt head engagement depression adjacent a connection of a cantilevered arm to an associated support structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The solar powered illuminated boat cleat as recited in claim 7 and wherein the cantilevered arms have a tapering shape. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The solar powered illuminated boat cleat as recited in claim 1 and wherein the a boat cleat mechanical housing includes an opening between the at least a pair of vertical structures and generally parallel to the pair of oppositely oriented cantilevered arms, and through which the solar powered modular structure can transmit light. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The solar powered illuminated boat cleat as recited in claim 12 wherein the a boat cleat mechanical housing include two openings through which the solar powered modular structure can transmit light.