Combination marine lamp and mooring bit

Application filed January 24, 1929. Serial No. 334,679.

This invention pertains to marine lights. More particularly it pertains to an improved combination light and bit. It is an object of the invention to provide a light of simple δ and rugged construction. It is also an object to provide a light which may be employed as a mooring bit. An important object is to provide a light, or signal lamp of simple construction in which the source of illumination 1® is readily accessible in a novel manner. Further objects and the advantages of the inventive idea will be brought out in the following specification.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: 15 Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a light, or signal lamp, constructed according to my invention ;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, in section, showing the interior and also showing, partly removed ²⁰ from the body of the light, a lamp carrying plug member;

Fig. 3 is a bracket for carrying the source of illumination.

Fig. 4 is a retaining strip for holding the ²⁸ lenses in place.

Fig. 5 is a detail of a modification of a part of the light.

Fig. 6 is a detailed view of part of a modified form of my invention.

³⁰ Preferably, the light housing 6, is cast as a single, integral member, including the base 7, by means of which it may be secured to the boat, preferably by means of screws passing thru holes in the said base. The interior of the light housing forms a light chamber preferably having light reflecting surfaces associated in such position as to project light rays thru the openings 8, to which suitable ₄₀ lenses 9, are fitted, and held in place by the retaining strips 10, and 11. The drawings show a lamp having two lenses, the same being separated by the bar 12, which it will be understood will be left out if only one lens ₄₅ having an aperture of approximately 180° is ⁰ to be employed. Between the body of the light housing 6, and the base 7, is a necked portion 13, which is designed to serve as a mooring rope guide or rope retaining means.

In the upper part of the housing is a suitable socket 14, for a flag pole or staff. At the rear of the housing is an opening 15, preferably, as shown a tapped hole, adapted to receive a plug 16, having a threaded portion 17. It will be seen that when this plug is in place, as shown in Fig. 1, and the lamp g₅secured in place on the boat, or wherever it is used, the said plug 16, affords convenient access to the interior of the lamp. This fact is taken advantage of in the present invention, in a novel manner. Preferably an elec- eo trie incandescent lamp is employed as the source of illumination, and is indicated at 18, the same being held in the socket 19, which in turn is carried by the bracket 20. This bracket 20, better shown in Fig. 3, is provided 05 with a circular base 21, having a hole 22, at its center. By means of a screw 23, the said bracket is so carried by the plug 16, as to permit the rotation of the plug, when it is being screwed into or out of the lamp, with- 70 out rotating the lamp bracket, thus avoiding fouling of the electric conducting wires 24. By this means it is a simple matter to remove and replace an electric light bulb, whereas heretofore it has been necessary, either to 75 remove the lamp from the boat or provide a special door, both involving labor and expense. The electric conductor 24, should be sufficiently long to permit removing the electric bulb clear of the lamp body for con- 80 venience in handling. It will be noted that the plug 16, is provided with ears, or projections 25, which besides aiding in removing the plug from the lamp body also act as a cleat, thus affording a place to which a rope 85 may be secured, in a well known manner. Accordingly ! provide a combined lamp, bit, and mooring cleat in a single, rugged and practical unit. The tapped hole 15, is carried by a boss 26 in the drawings. It will be 90 understood that if it is desired to provide a flush exterior for the lamp body, the thread carrying portion 26, may be extended into the interior, instead of having same project as illustrated. For convenience in finishing 95 the lamp exterior this modification may be preferred in some cases. Where the electric bulb retaining plug is provided with ears so as to also serve as a rope receiving cleat, the boss or extension 26, acts as a support for 109

1,852,260

2. A combination marine lamp and mooring bit comprising a hollow body having a glazed opening, a base, a rope guide between the base and the glazed opening, a removable illuminating means, and a rope securing cleat 70 formed as a part of the removable illuminating means.

3. A combination marine lamp and bit comprising a hollow light housing having a glazed opening therein, a base member, a 76 mooring rope guide between the glazed opening and the base, and a mooring cleat formed on the back of the removable illuminating means.

4. A marine lamp comprising a hollow cas- 80 ing; a glazed opening in said casing; a threaded opening in said casing, said threaded opening of sufficient size to permit the illuminating means to be inserted therethrough; a threaded closure plug for closing said thread 85 opening, and a mooring cleat on said plug, and said threaded plug adapted to support the illuminating means.

5. A marine lamp comprising a hollow casing, a glazed opening in said casing, an open- <0 ing in said casing of sufficient size to permit illuminating means to be inserted therethrough, a closure plug for closing said opening, a light socket, a bracket for supporting said light socket, electrical conductors extend- «5 ing into said casing for supplying electrical current to the illuminating means, and means for securing said bracket to said plug so as to prevent twisting of the electrical conductors when the closure plug is being removed and 105 secured in place.

LOUIS EDWARD PERKINS.

105 the rope, the strain of which otherwise would be borne entirely by the cleat. In Fig. 6, is shown a modified method of removably mounting an electric bulb in a signal lamp.

i The wall 30, of the lamp body carries a countersunk hole 31, which is preferably tapped to receive a suitable plug member 32, having a threaded portion 33, and if desired provided with ears 34. At the bottom of the 10 hole 31, a shoulder 35, is provided against . which the base 38, of the electric light socket member 37, rests, the said socket member extending into the lamp body thru the opening 36. A projecting member 39, on the 15 base 38, may be employed as an aid in removing the electric lamp, which is accomplished by withdrawing the lamp socket member 37, from the opening 36, the electric conducting cable 40, being long enough to permit access 20 to the lamp socket for changing the bulb, etc. It will be seen that when the plug member 32, is screwed into place, the threaded portion 33, acts to retain the electric lamp in position thru the medium of the base 38, 25 against which it is adapted to impinge. The boss 41, may be eliminated also in this modification as described in connection with Fig.

2, by projecting same inwardly, thereby leaving a flush exterior for convenience in 30 finishing the outside surface of the lamp body. In Fig. 5, is illustrated a plug member 45, having a threaded portion 46. Ears 47, are provided to facilitate screwing the plug into the lamp body or for removing 35 same. I may however eliminate the ears 47, by knurling the head of the plug 45.

It will be seen that I provide a simple and practical combination lamp unit which is inexpensive to manufacture, and which, among 40 other improvements, embodies unique .means for removably carrying the source of illumination. I have illustrated my improvements in conjunction with a conventional type of marine lamp, but it will be understood the 45 design of the lamp may be widely varied without departing from the scope of the inventive idea herein disclosed. It will be seen that I provide a combination lamp, bit, and cleat and that the mooring or other rope,, when in 50 use, does not interfere or mask the light proj ecting face or faces of the lamp. Preferably I cast the lamp body and base as a hollow single member, but it will be understood that I reserve the right to employ any suitable 55 construction, design and material, in practicing my invention.