TWO PIECE VIEW PORT AND LIGHT HOUSING WITH SWIVEL LIGHT

Abstract

The present invention is a view port suitable for installation under the water line of a vessel wherein the view port comprises a flange made from a corrosion resistant material and a body made from a heat resistant material. An alternative embodiment of the invention is an underwater light in which a high intensity discharge light is installed into the above mentioned view port. The light may be swiveled while installed in the view port in order to direct the light along a desired path.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a cross-sectional view of a view port housing a light at a pivoted angle.

FIG. 1 b is a cross-sectional view of a view port housing a light at a non-pivoted 0° degree angle.

FIG. 2 a is a view of the reflector housing with a lid at a pivoted angle.

FIG. 2 b is a view of the reflector housing with a lid at a non-pivoted 0° degree angle.

FIG. 3 a is another view of the reflector housing at a pivoted angle.

FIG. 3 b is another view of the reflector housing at a non-pivoted 0° degree angle.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the two-piece view port and light housing in a fully-assembled configuration.

FIG. 5 a and 5b are oblique views of the two-piece view port having a watertight end cap.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the two-piece view port and light housing with a high intensity discharge lamp and integral ballast in a fully-assembled configuration.

Claims

1. A thru-hull assembly comprising: a cylindrical, hollow main body placed in the interior of a thru-hull that is comprised of a light housing and has exterior threaded surfaces and interior threaded surfaces;an annular external flange that is removably attached to the main body and is comprised of a mushroom-head shaped portion to be placed flush against the exterior opening of the thru-hull and a narrower cylindrical portion with a threaded exterior surface for mating with the threaded surface of the main body;a lens sized to fit the annular opening of the external flange;a means for securing the lens to the external flange;a means for providing a watertight seal on both sides of said lens;a cap removably attached to the distal end of the main body having a lamp socket affixed thereto and a means for conducting power to the lamp socket;a lamp mounted in the lamp socket;a means for adjusting the angle of the lamp without removing the lamp from inside the housing; anda means for securing the housing to a vessel.

2. The thru-hull assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the housing to a vessel is selected from bonding, welding or mechanical fastening.

3. The thru-hull assembly of claim 2 wherein the mechanical fastening means is a locking ring.

4. The thru-hull assembly of claim 3 wherein the locking ring is used with a compression ring.

5. The thru-hull assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the lens to the external flange is selected from bonding or mechanical fastening,

6. The thru-hull assembly of claim 5 wherein the mechanical means for securing the lens to the external flange is a lens retaining ring.

7. The thru-hull assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for providing a watertight seal is selected from sealants, o-rings, gaskets or mechanical seals.

8. The thru-hull assembly of claim 7 where the means for providing a watertight seal is a gasket.

9. The thru-hull assembly of claim 1 further comprising a cap threaded onto the distal end.

10. The thru-hull assembly of claim 9 further comprising a source of light.

11. The thru-hull assembly of claim 10 wherein the light is selected from halogen, xenon gas or metal halide lamps.

12. The thru-hull assembly of claim 9 further comprising a camera.

13. The thru-hull assembly of claim 1 wherein the external flange and the housing are comprised of two different metals.

14. The thru-hull assembly of claim 13 wherein the flange is comprised of a highly corrosion resistant material.

15. The thru-hull assembly of claim 13 wherein the housing is comprised of a heat dissipating metal.

16. A thru-hull assembly comprising: an annular external flange that is removably attached to the main body and is comprised of a mushroom-head shaped portion to be placed flush against an exterior opening of a vessel and a narrower cylindrical portion with a threaded exterior surface;a cylindrical, hollow main body placed in the interior of a thru-hull that is comprised of a light housing and has exterior threaded surfaces and interior threaded surfaces for mating to the threaded portion of the external flange;a lens sized to fit the annular opening of the external flange;a means for securing the lens to the external flange;a means for providing a watertight seal on both sides of said lens;a reflector housing sized to fit inside the main body comprising a reflector;a cap removably attached to the distal end of the main body having a lamp socket affixed thereto and a means for conducting power to the lamp socket;a lamp mounted in the lamp socket;a means for adjusting the angle of the lamp without removing the lamp from inside the housing; anda means for securing the housing to a vessel.

17. The thru-hull light of claim 16 wherein the means for adjusting the angle of the lamp is by a pivoting member affixed to the reflector housing.

18. The thru-hull light of claim 17 wherein the pivoting member is a threaded ball screw.

19. The thru-hull light of claim 16 wherein the means for securing the housing to a vessel is selected from bonding, welding or mechanical fastening.

20. The thru-hull light of claim 19 wherein the mechanical fastening means is a locking ring.

21. The thru-hull light of claim 20 wherein the locking ring is used with a compression ring.

22. The thru-hull light of claim 16 wherein the means for securing the lens to the external flange is selected from bonding or mechanical fastening.

23. The thru-hull light of claim 22 wherein the mechanical means for securing the lens to the external flange is a lens retaining ring.

24. The thru-hull light of claim 16 wherein the means for providing a watertight seal is selected from sealants, o-rings, gaskets or mechanical seals.

25. The thru-hull light of claim 24 wherein the means for providing a watertight seal is a gasket.

26. The thru-hull light of claim 16 wherein the lamp is selected from halogen, xenon gas or metal halide lamps.

27. The thru-hull light of claim 16 further comprising a camera.

28. The thru-hull light of claim 16 wherein the flange and the housing are comprised of two different metals.

29. The thru-hull light of claim 28 wherein the flange is comprised of a highly corrosion resistant material.

30. The thru-hull light of claim 29 wherein the flange is selected from stainless steel, bronze or titanium.

31. The thru-hull light of claim 28 wherein the housing is comprised of a heat dissipating metal.

32. The thru-hull light of claim 31 wherein the housing is selected from aluminum, titanium or brass.