Patent · US Expired

Lightning protection installation on a boat

US5036785A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
5References
6Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1989
Grant dateAug 6, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB63B2035/009
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A lightning protection installation for boats comprising a copper lightning rod mounted on the top of the mast or, in the case of a power boat, mounted on the deck, a copper wire attached to the rod and running downwardly to a point where it is attached to a retractable copper conductor. The copper conductor is retractable through a plastic or fiberglass tube or box molded or inserted in the hull or attached to a centerboard, if available. When the conductor is raised to the passive position, it is protected from the formation of marine growth; and when it is lowered, the conductor provides sufficient wettable electrical conducting grounding surface to conduct the lightning to water ground. Raising the conductor removes the slight drag caused by the grounded conductor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.