US 7,677,772 B1Granted

Navigation light system using spatially separated partial arc navigation running lights

AssigneeJames P. von Wolske

InventorJames P. von Wolske

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A navigation light system for a watercraft including multiple lights of a common color and that are spatially separated on the watercraft to collectively operate as a navigation running light that has a specified horizontal beam sector of less than 360 degrees. Each light is separately masked to emit light outwardly from the watercraft within a partial arc horizontal beam sector which is less than the specified horizontal beam sector. The navigation light system may include first and second running lights of first and second colors, respectively, where each running light includes multiple commonly-colored lights that are separately masked within a corresponding one of mutually exclusive partial arc horizontal beam sectors within the specified horizontal beam sector.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A watercraft, comprising:

a hull;
a plurality of running lights spatially separated on said hull to collectively emit light outwardly from said hull at every angle within a specified horizontal beam sector of less than 360 degrees;
wherein said plurality of running lights have a common color;
wherein said specified horizontal beam sector is divided into a plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors which are angularly mutually exclusive with respect to each other, wherein each of said plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors is less than said specified horizontal beam sector and wherein a sum of said plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors is equal to said specified horizontal beam sector;
and
wherein each of said plurality of running lights is separately masked to emit light outwardly from said hull only within a corresponding one of said plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors other than any minimal angular overlap of emitted light between any two of said plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors.

3 more elements

A watercraft, comprising:

having a first side and a second side
a hull;
a plurality of first running lights of a first color spatially separated on said first side of said hull and collectively emitting light outwardly from said hull at every angle within a first specified horizontal beam sector of less than 360 degrees;
wherein said first specified horizontal beam sector is divided into a first plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors which are angularly mutually exclusive with respect to each other, wherein each of said first plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors is less than said first specified horizontal beam sector and wherein a sum of said first plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors is equal to said first specified horizontal beam sector;
wherein each of said plurality of first running lights is separately masked to emit light outwardly from said hull only within a corresponding one of said first plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors within said first specified horizontal beam sector other than any minimal angular overlap of emitted light between any two of said first plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors;
a plurality of second running lights of a second color spatially separated on said second side of said hull and collectively emitting light outwardly from said hull at every angle within a second specified horizontal beam sector of less than 360 degrees;
wherein said second specified horizontal beam sector is divided into a second plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors which are angularly mutually exclusive with respect to each other, wherein each of said second plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors is less than said second specified horizontal beam sector and wherein a sum of said second plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors is equal to said second specified horizontal beam sector;
and
wherein each of said plurality of second running lights is separately masked to emit light outwardly from said hull only within a corresponding one of said second plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors within said second specified horizontal beam sector other than any minimal angular overlap of emitted light between any two of said second plurality of partial arc horizontal beam sectors.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/462,438Filed 4 Aug 2006 · continuation in part
Priority: 18 Oct 2001
Granted: 16 Mar 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B63B 45/04
Arrangements or adaptations of signalling or lighting devices: the devices being intended to indicate the vessel or parts thereof
B63B 45/00
Arrangements or adaptations of signalling or lighting devices
B63B 45/02
Arrangements or adaptations of signalling or lighting devices: the devices being intended to illuminate the way ahead or other areas of environments
F21V 21/30
Adjustable mountings: pivoted housings or frames

Family

Application09/982,322Parent of this division · filed 18 Oct 2001
Application10/663,899Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 16 Sep 2003
US 6,637,915 B2Parent of this division · filed 28 Oct 2003
Application60/706,364Us provisional application · filed 8 Aug 2005
Application10/663,899Parent of this division
US 2002/0044449 A1Published application
US 2004/0062050 A1Published application
US 8,070,333 B2Related patent
US 7,677,772 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.