Light systems and devices and methods of using the same

Abstract

Light systems and devices and methods of using the same. An exemplary light system includes a base plate configured to be attached to a substrate, such as a boat, a dock, a building, or another substrate, a wiring harness configured to engage the base plate and to couple to a control system of the substrate to receive power therefrom, and a puck light configured to be coupled to the base plate and to emit light when coupled to the base plate and when power is received by the puck light from the wiring harness.

Description

[0001] LIGHT SYSTEMS AND DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

[0002] PRIOR APPLICATIONS

[0003] The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 63 / 554,650, filed February 16, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein directly and by reference in their entirety.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Lighting systems, especially for watercraft applications whereby said systems are underwater, have their own difficulties, such as ease of installation, ease of repair or replacement, waterproof or water-resistant housings, and the like. A light system that addresses said difficulties would be well received in the marketplace.

[0006] BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system and method of using the same, as shown and / or described herein.

[0008] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, comprising a base plate configured to be attached to a transom or another part of a boat that is below the waterline, or configured to attach to a dock, building, or other substrate, a wiring harness configured for engagement with the base plate, the wiring harness configured to couple to a control system of a boat to receive power therefrom, and a puck light configured to be coupled to the base plate, the puck light configured to emit light when coupled to the base plate and when power is received by the puck light from the wiring harness.

[0009] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the puck light can be removed and a second puck light can be coupled to the base plate.

[0010] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a wiring harness, as shown and / or described herein.

[0011] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, comprising a base plate configured to be attached to a substrate, a wiring harness configured to engage the base plate and to couple to a control system of the substrate to receive power therefrom, and a puck light configured to be coupled to the base plate and to emit light when coupled to the base plate and when power is received by the puck light from the wiring harness. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the substrate comprises a boat, and wherein the base plate is configured to be attached to the boat at a location below a waterline of the boat.

[0012] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the puck light can be removed from the base plate and a second puck light can be coupled to the base plate.

[0013] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the puck light connects to a connector of the wiring harness to receive power therefrom.

[0014] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the connector has a cloaking feature defined therein, said cloaking feature configured to facilitate proper alignment of the puck light with the base plate.

[0015] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, being waterproof or water-resistant.

[0016] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, further comprising one or more o-ring slots defined within the base plate, and one or more o-rings configured to be positioned within o-ring slots and to prevent water from passing therethrough when the puck light is coupled to the base plate.

[0017] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the puck light can be exchanged for another puck light without requiring any drilling.

[0018] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein at least part of the wiring harness fits within a wiring aperture defined within the base plate.

[0019] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the puck light is coupled to the base plate using a plurality of screws or other fasteners.

[0020] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the puck light further comprises a plurality of lights therein, the plurality of lights configured to emit light.

[0021] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the plurality of lights comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0022] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the puck light further comprises a lens, said lens allowing light emitted from the LEDs to pass therethrough.

[0023] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the puck light further comprises a light connector configured to engage a connector of the wiring harness.

[0024] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the substrate comprises a dock. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system, wherein the substrate comprises a building.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The disclosed embodiments and other features, advantages, and disclosures contained herein, and the matter of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows an upper perspective view of a light system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a top view (left side) and a bottom view (right side) of a puck light, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a light system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a wiring harness having a connector, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a top view of a light system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] As such, an overview of the features, functions and / or configurations of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described and some of these non-discussed features (as well as discussed features) are inherent from the figures themselves. Other non-discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and / or configuration. Furthermore, wherever feasible and convenient, like reference numerals are used in the figures and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The figures are in a simplified form and not to precise scale.

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a light system and method of using the same. An exemplary embodiment of a light system 100 of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. As shown therein, an exemplary light system 100 of the present disclosure comprises a base plate 102 configured to be attached to a transom or another part of a boat, such as, for example, being permanently attached. Light systems 100 of the present disclosure can be coupled to other substrates aside from boats, such as docks, buildings, or other substrates. Said base plate 102 has a wiring harness 104 (shown in FIG. 4) configured to fit at least partially therethrough, said wiring harness 104 configured to couple to a control system of a boat. Said wiring harness 104 is also configured to deliver power from the control system of the boat to a connector 106 (also shown in FIG. 4) located within the base plate 102 and ultimately to a puck light 108 configured to couple to the base plate 102 and to receive power from the wiring harness 104 and to emit light. Once a puck light 108 is coupled to a base plate 102, said puck light 108 can operate to emit light by way of power provided to said puck light 108 via wiring harness 104 and connector 106. Light systems 100 of the present disclosure are at least water-resistant, and in some instances water-proof, in that light systems 100 are configured for operation in wet and underwater conditions.

[0035] Puck lights 108 are configured to be coupled to base plates 102 of the present disclosure. In at least one embodiment, a plurality of screws or other fasteners 110 (as shown in FIG. 3) can be used to couple puck light 108 to base plate 102. Should a user wish to change a puck light 108, such as one having a different color light or a different intensity of light, the user would only need to remove the plurality of screws or other fasteners 110 to decouple puck light 108 from base plate 102, and fasten a different puck light 108 to base plate 102 using said fasteners. No drilling or other type of fastening is required to swap a puck light 108. In other embodiments, puck light 108 can be screwed onto (or twist-locked onto) base plate 102 to secure the same.

[0036] It is noted that light systems 100 of the present disclosure are configured such that various different types of puck light 108, such as those with varying numbers and positions of lights 300 therein, can be used with the same base plate 102, meaning that said puck lights 108 are interchangeable with one another.

[0037] An exemplary base plate 102 of a light system 100 of the present disclosure is shown on the right side of FIG. 2. As shown therein, base plate 102 can define a wiring aperture therethrough, said wiring aperture configured to receive at least part of a wiring harness 104 therethrough, and further configured such that a connector 106 coupled to said wiring harness 104 can remain located at base plate 102. One or more fastener apertures 202 can be defined within base plate 102, said fastener apertures 202 configured to receive one or more screws or other fasteners 110 therethrough so to secure base plate 102 to a substrate, such as a boat. Washers (not shown) can be used along with screws or other fasteners 110 so to resist water egress through fastener apertures 202 when screws or other fasteners 110 are positioned therethrough. Furthermore, and in some embodiments, o-ring slots (not shown) can be defined within base plate 102, said o-ring slots configured to receive an o-ring 208 therethrough, such as shown in FIG. 4. Said o-ring 208, when positioned within o-ring slot, can resist water egress through wiring aperture when a puck light 108 is coupled to base plate 102. Connectors 106, such as shown in FIG. 2, can have a cloaking feature 210 defined therein, said cloaking feature 210 configured to facilitate proper alignment of puck light 108 relative to base plate 102.

[0038] An exemplary puck light 108 of a light system 100 of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 2. As shown therein, puck light 108 can define a plurality of fastener apertures 202 therethrough, said fastener apertures 202 configured to receive screws or other fasteners 110 therethrough, such as shown in FIG. 1, so to secure puck light 108 to base plate 102, as shown in FIG. 1. Puck lights 108 have a plurality of lights 300 therein, such as a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) therein. Said lights 300 are positioned within an interior of puck light 108 and are covered by way of a lens 302 configured to allow light emitted from lights 300 to pass therethrough.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a relative top of a puck light 108 (left side) of the present disclosure, and shows a relative bottom / underside of a puck light 108 (right side) of the present disclosure. As shown therein, a light connector 304 is positioned at a relative bottom / underside of puck light 108, configured to engage connector 106 of wiring harness 104 positioned relative to base plate 102. Light connector 304 is connected to lights 300 so that when light connector 304 engages connector 106 and power is provided through wiring harness 104 to connector, lights 300 are powered so to emit light therefrom.

[0040] An exemplary light system 100 of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 5 in exploded view. As shown therein, a puck light 108 is configured to engage a base plate 102 and be secured thereupon using screws or other fasteners 110.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary wiring harness 104 terminating in a connector 106, as referenced herein. As shown in FIG. 4, connector 106 can be a female connector 106, configured to engage a male light connector 304, or connector 106 can be a male connector 106, configured to engage a female light connector 304. A mounting plate 600 can be positioned adjacent to connector 106 so to provide a base for coupling wiring harness 104 to base plate 102, such as by way of screws or other fasteners 110 and an o-ring 208 configured to resist water egress into said connector 106 when connector 106 is assembled relative to base plate 102. Wiring harness 104 can comprise a plurality of individually jacketed wires 602, wherein said plurality of individually jacketed wires 602 are each enclosed using wire jackets 604 and are collectively enclosed using an outer jacket 606. Connectors 106 can have a cloaking feature 210 defined therein, said cloaking feature 210 configured to facilitate proper alignment of puck light 108 relative to base plate 102 (and therefore proper alignment of light connector 304 to connector 106).

[0042] FIG. 5 shows an additional embodiment of an exemplary light system 100 of the present disclosure. As shown therein, light system 100 comprises a puck light 108 whereby a plurality of screws or other fasteners 110 (as shown in FIG. 3) can be used to couple puck light 108 to a base plate 102. In at least one embodiment, four screws or other fasteners 110 are used to couple puck light 108 to base plate 102.

[0043] As referenced herein, exemplary light systems 100 of the present disclosure comprise a base plate 102 configured to attach to a boat, such as under the waterline when the boat is in the water, a wiring harness 104 that connects to a control system of the boat to draw power therefrom, a puck light 108 that attaches to the base plate 102 and configured to light up when powered with power from the control system of the boat via the wiring harness 104, wherein the system 100 allows for easy swapping of puck lights 108 from the base plate 102 depending on the different lighting needs.

[0044] While various embodiments of systems and devices and methods for using and assembling the same have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered as non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the content thereof.

[0045] Further, in describing representative embodiments, the present disclosure may have presented a method and / or a process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth therein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described, as other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directed to a method and / or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A light system, comprising: a base plate configured to be attached to a substrate; a wiring harness configured to engage the base plate and to couple to a control system of the substrate to receive power therefrom; and a puck light configured to be coupled to the base plate and to emit light when coupled to the base plate and when power is received by the puck light from the wiring harness.

2. The light system of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a boat, and wherein the base plate is configured to be attached to the boat at a location below a waterline of the boat.

3. The light system of claim 1, wherein the puck light can be removed from the base plate and a second puck light can be coupled to the base plate.

4. The light system of claim 1, wherein the puck light connects to a connector of the wiring harness to receive power therefrom.

5. The light system of claim 4, wherein the connector has a cloaking feature defined therein, said cloaking feature configured to facilitate proper alignment of the puck light with the base plate.

6. The light system of claim 1, being waterproof or water-resistant.

7. The light system of claim 6, further comprising: one or more o-ring slots defined within the base plate; and one or more o-rings configured to be positioned within o-ring slots and to prevent water from passing therethrough when the puck light is coupled to the base plate.

8. The light system of claim 1, wherein the puck light can be exchanged for another puck light without requiring any drilling.

9. The light system of claim 1, wherein at least part of the wiring harness fits within a wiring aperture defined within the base plate.

10. The light system of claim 1, wherein the puck light is coupled to the base plate using a plurality of screws or other fasteners.

11. The light system of claim 1, wherein the puck light further comprises a plurality of lights therein, the plurality of lights configured to emit light.

12. The light system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of lights comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

13. The light system of claim 12, wherein the puck light further comprises a lens, said lens allowing light emitted from the LEDs to pass therethrough.

14. The light system of claim 1, wherein the puck light further comprises a light connector configured to engage a connector of the wiring harness.

15. The light system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a dock.

16. The light system of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a building.

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