Pivot device for a navigation light
A device for pivoting a navigation light and methods that use the device can include a mount assembly with an attachment for attaching the device to a structure. A pivot assembly can be supported by the mount assembly, with the pivot assembly configured to pivot the navigation light to one or more operating, service, or hold positions. A brake pin with an end sized and shaped to fit within an indentation of a disc of the pivot assembly can secure the pivot assembly against rotation when the second end is accommodated by the indentation.
1. A device for pivoting a navigation light, comprising:
a mount assembly comprising an attachment for attaching the device to a structure;
a pivot assembly supported by the mount assembly, the pivot assembly being configured to pivot a navigation light to at least one of: an operating position, a service position, or a hold position; and
a brake assembly comprising a brake pin having a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the second end of the brake pin being sized and shaped to fit within an indentation of a disc of the pivot assembly to secure the pivot assembly against rotation when the second end is accommodated by the indentation,
wherein applying an upward force to the first end of the brake pin removes the second end from the indentation and allows the navigation light to be pivoted to the at least one of: the operating position, the service position, or the hold position.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the indentation comprises a plurality of indentations that are equidistantly spaced in a radial pattern from a center point of the disc.
3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the hold position comprises a plurality of hold positions corresponding to the plurality of indentations.
4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein accommodating the second end by one of the plurality of indentations secures the navigation light in a corresponding one of the hold positions.
5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the pivot assembly further comprises a tee sized and shaped to receive and secure the navigation light.
6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the pivot assembly further comprises a counterweight that offsets at least a portion of a weight of the navigation light in the at least one of: the service position or the hold position.
7. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a brake pin guide configured to align the second end of the brake pin to be received by the indentation.
8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the brake assembly further comprises a lock mechanism comprising a brake pin retainer that captures the brake pin when locked.
9. A device for pivoting a navigation light, comprising:
a mount assembly comprising a tube and a sleeve;
a pivot assembly comprising a disc connected to a shaft, the shaft being supported by the sleeve to allow the shaft to rotate about a rotational center of the disc; and
a brake assembly comprising a brake pin that is configured to pass within the tube, at least a portion of the brake pin emerging from the tube to contact the disc, and an application of a substantially upward force to the brake pin releases the brake pin from the contact with the disc.
10. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the brake pin passes within the tube for at least three feet.
11. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the shaft connects to a tee having a first end sized and shaped to receive and secure a navigation light and a second end sized and shaped to receive and secure a counterweight.
12. The device according to claim 11 , wherein applying a force to the counterweight pivots the navigation light about the rotational center of the disc.
13. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the brake pin contacting the disc secures the navigation light in a plurality of positions that are equidistantly spaced in a radial pattern from a center of the disc.
14. A method of pivoting a navigation light, comprising:
attaching a mount assembly to a structure;
supporting a pivot assembly by the mount assembly, the pivot assembly being configured to pivot a navigation light to at least one of: an operating position, a service position, or a hold position, and the pivot assembly comprising a disc having an indentation;
obtaining a brake assembly comprising a brake pin having a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the second end of the brake pin being sized and shaped to fit within the indention of the disc of the pivot assembly to secure the pivot assembly against rotation when the second end is accommodated by the indention;
lowering a brake pin to secure the pivot assembly against rotation when the second end of the brake pin is accommodated by the indentation; and
applying an upward force to the brake pin to allow the navigation light to be pivoted to the at least one of: the operating position, the service position, or the hold position when the second end of the brake pin is removed from the indentation.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the hold position is between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees from a horizontal surface of the structure.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising attaching a counterweight and the navigation light to the pivot assembly.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein applying a force to the counterweight pivots the navigation light about a rotational center of the disc.
18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising capturing the brake pin to prevent unwanted pivoting of the navigation light.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the mount assembly comprises a tube and a sleeve, the brake pin is configured to pass within the tube and at least a portion of the brake pin emerges from the tube to contact the disc.
20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the disc is connected to a shaft of the pivot assembly, and the shaft is supported by the sleeve to allow the shaft to rotate about a rotational center of the disc.