Combination port cover and boat lighting apparatus
View Patent ↗A modified port cover which incorporates a light. The port cover can be screwed into a prior art port and provides the same type of air-tight seal as the prior art cover. A bulb is preferably incorporated in the cover's center. A length of cord extends out the back of the bulb. Splicing components are used to splice the cord into the boat's electrical system, preferably so that the modified port cover is only illuminated when the boat's lights are switched on. The cord is long enough to allow a user to unscrew the modified port cover and use it to illuminate areas some distance away from the port. Alternate embodiments incorporate a handle on the rear of the modified port cover. This handle allows the modified port cover to be gripped like a flashlight once it is removed from the port. A hanging hook may be provided to facilitate hanging of the port cover.
1. A lighted port cover which a user can place within a port on a boat, wherein said port includes a large circular opening containing a female thread disposed about said large circular opening, and wherein said boat includes electrical power means, comprising:
a. a circular port cover, having an outward facing side, an inward facing side, and a male thread disposed about said circular port cover configured to engage said female thread on said port;
b. light producing means attached to said port cover and positioned to cast light out said outward facing side;
c. connecting means for connecting said light producing means on said port cover to said electrical power means on said boat; and
d. wherein said circular cover is sized to completely seal said large circular opening in said port when said male thread on said circular port cover is threaded into said female thread on said port.
2. A lighted port cover as recited in claim 1 , wherein said port cover is made from transparent material.
3. A lighted port cover as recited in claim 1 , wherein said outward facing side includes a gripping feature allowing said user to grip said port cover in order to remove said port cover from said port.
4. A lighted port cover as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a switch allowing said user to selectively connect said light producing means to said power means.
5. A lighted port cover as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a handle attached to said inward facing side, so that when said user removes said port cover from said port, said user can use said handle to grasp said port cover.
6. A lighted port cover as recited in claim 1 , wherein said connecting means comprises a coiled cord, so that when said user removes said port cover from said port, said port cover can be moved a distance away from said port while said light producing means remains connected to said power means.
7. A lighted port cover as recited in claim 5 , wherein said handle further comprises a hanging hook.
8. A lighted port cover as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a lens positioned proximate said light producing means in order to alter said light cast out said outward facing surface.
9. A lighted port cover as recited in claim 8 , wherein the position of said lens is adjustable with respect to the position of said light producing means.