Dock Pile Lighting System with Concealed Mounting and Asymmetric Cone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems for dock piles and platforms do not effectively deter bird loitering, prevent water ingress into wood dock piles, or provide aesthetically pleasing and functional radial and downward lighting solutions, while also hiding mounting hardware and being easy to install and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system featuring a unique two-piece cone system with a mast bolt design, incorporating light sources such as MR-16 halogen, LED, or optic fibers, and a removable tip cone for varied lighting effects, along with a flat mold for flexible installation and hidden wiring, and a pile wrap assembly for protection and aesthetics, all designed to be low voltage, waterproof, and rust-free.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a lighting system is installed on dock piles, then lighting functionality is provided, but mounting hardware becomes visible and aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting hardware is nested within the cone assembly structure itself. The mast bolt is concealed inside the cone assembly, and the base plate is integrated into the cone assembly design, making all mounting hardware invisible from the exterior while maintaining secure installation
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting function is merged with the aesthetic cone assembly structure. The base plate serves both as a structural mounting surface and as part of the visible aesthetic design, eliminating the need for separate visible mounting components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional lighting systems are used, then basic illumination is provided, but bird loitering is not deterred and water ingress occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cone assembly features an asymmetric conical shape with a sloped surface that prevents water from pooling and facilitates water runoff. The asymmetric geometry also creates an unfavorable perching surface for birds, deterring them from loitering on the dock piles
Solution Approach 2:
The conical curved surface of the assembly prevents water accumulation by directing water flow along the sloped surface away from the dock pile end grain, and the smooth curved geometry provides no flat surfaces for birds to perch on
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are accommodated, then lighting versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cone assembly is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of light sources (MR16 bulbs, LEDs, optic fibers) through standardized mounting interfaces. The base plate and mast bolt configuration provides a universal mounting system that works with various lighting technologies without requiring different installation hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is segmented into modular components (base plate, mast bolt, light sources, optic fibers) that can be independently selected and configured. This segmentation allows versatility in light source selection while maintaining a standardized, simple mounting structure that reduces overall system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively deters bird loitering, keeps water out of wood dock piles, provides efficient and aesthetically pleasing radial and downward lighting, conceals mounting hardware, and is easy to install and maintain, while being durable and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a tip cone. The present invention conceals all mounting hardware. A cone assembly houses an electrical system comprising the light sources
Implementation Method 2
When optic fibers are used, they can be terminated with a light stencil to display a message and/or shape onto a surface below
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system that provides radial and down lighting for dock piles and dock platforms. The lighting system has a cone assembly, a base that mounts onto a dock pile, and an electrical system having at least one light source. A tip cone is mounted onto the cone assembly and may have at least one light slot to emit light from the at least one light source. The tip cone and cone assembly are apex shaped. Extending from the tip cone is a mast bolt that secures to the base and may secure the at least one light source. The lighting system may also have at least one flat mold, and at least one corner mold. Each has at least one channel to receive at least one optic fiber, color bead, and/or rope lighting. A pile wrap assembly has at least two wraps that join around each dock pile.