The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 13, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 27, 1999
Joseph G. Schulte, Venice, FL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A marine illuminating device for aiding in the reverse navigation of a watercraft that is powered by an outboard motor. The marine illuminating device includes an electric light that is mounted in an aperture in a cowl of an outboard motor. The electric light is connected through an electric circuit to the alternator/charging system of the outboard motor and to a switch assembly. The switch assembly may be actuated automatically when the outboard motor mode selector is positioned into the reverse mode. Alternatively, the switch may also be actuated manually. Actuation of the switch assembly permits electric current to flow from the alternator/charging system to the electric light, thereby causing the electric light to illuminate. Operation of the device is “hands-free” due to the fact that it illuminates automatically and does not require the operator to actively position the light relative to the path of the watercraft since the watercraft travels in the direction that the outboard motor is pointed when the motor is operated in the reverse mode. The electric circuit may also employ a switching device to maintain the electric lamp in an illuminated state for a predetermined time to permit the watercraft operator to momentarily operate the outboard motor in the neutral or forward modes while maintaining rearward illumination.