Small craft plug detector

Claim 2

A plug detection apparatus to indicate position of a drain plug in a small boat or craft, said detection apparatus comprising: an indicator housing; an indicator plunger in said housing having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said plunger having a first position in which said first end of the plunger is substantially flush with an outer surface of said housing and a second position in which said first end extends outwardly away from said housing outer surface; spring means to bias said plunger from said first position to said second position; and connecting means of predetermined length connecting said second end of said plunger to said drain plug, whereby, when said plug is installed in said boat, said plunger is in said first position, and when said plug is not installed, said spring means moves said plunger to said second position.

Claim 3

Apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said housing is characterized as a substantially hollow cylinder defining a cavity therein, and having an upper end with a central opening therethrough and a lower end with a central opening therethrough; and said indicating plunger is disposed in said housing to reciprocate in said cavity, such that said second end extends through said central opening in said lower end of said housing and, when said plunger is in said second position, said first end of said plunger extends through said central opening in said upper end of said housing.

Claim 4

Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spring means is characterized by a helical coil spring.

Claim 5

Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connecting means is characterized by a flexible cable.

Claim 6

Apparatus of claim 4 wherein said cable is a metal chain.

Claim 7

Apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an electricial switch in operative association with said indicating plunger, whereby said switch completes an electrical connection when said plunger is in said second position.

Claim 8

A plug detector apparatus to indicate position of a drain plug in a small boat or craft by activating a lamp, alarm or the like, said detector apparatus comprising: an electrical switch having a housing with stationary contacts insulated from one another and a movable contact therein, said switch having an open position when said movable contact is spaced apart from said stationary contacts and a closed position when said movable contact is in electrical communication with said stationary contact; spring means disposed in said switch to bias said movable contact from said open position to said closed position; and connecting means of predetermined length connecting said movable contact to said plug, whereby, when said plug is installed, said switch is in said open position, and when said plug is not installed, said spring means moves said movable contact to place the switch in said closed position.

Claim 9

A plug detector apparatus to indicate position of a drain plug in a small boat or craft by activating a lamp, alarm or the like, said detector apparatus comprising: an electrical switch having a housing with stationary contacts insulated from one another and a movable contact therein, said switch having an open position when said movable contact is spaced apart from said stationary contacts and a closed position when said movable contact is in electrical communication with said stationary contact; spring means disposed in said switch to bias said movable contact from said open position to said closed position; and connecting means of predetermined length connecting said movable contact to said plug, whereby, when said plug is installed, said switch is in said open position, and when said plug is not installed, said spring means moves said movable contact to place the switch in said closed position.

Claim 10

Apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said housing is characterized as a substantially hollow cylinder defining a cavity therein, having a lower end with a central opening therethrough and an upper end; said stationary contacts are attached to an upper inside surface of said housing; said apparatus further comprises a plunger, disposed in said housing to reciprocate in said cavity, having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said second end extending through said central opening in said housing; and said movable contact is attached to said first end of said plunger.

Claim 11

Apparatus of claim 7 wherein said spring means is characterized by a helical coil spring.

Claim 12

Apparatus of claim 7 wherein said connecting means is characterized by a flexible cable.

Claim 13

Apparatus of claim 10 wherein said cable is a metal chain.

Claim 14

Apparatus of claim 7 further comprising an indicating plunger in operative association with said movable contact, said plunger having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, such that said first end is substantially flush with an outer surface of said housing when said switch is in said open position and said first end extends outwardly away from said housing outer surface when said switch is in said closed position.

Claim 15

A plug detector apparatus to indicate position of a drain plug in a small boat or craft, said detection apparatus comprising: a housing of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration defining a cavity therein and having an upper end with a central opening therethrough and a lower end with a central opening therethrough; a plunger disposed in said housing to reciprocate therein, said plunger comprised of: a cylindrical rod having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said second end extending through said central opening in said lower end of said housing; and a radially extending circular flange on said rod between said first and second ends, said plunger having a first position in which said first end of said rod is substantially flush with an outer surface of said upper end of said housing adjacent said central opening therein and a second position in which first end extends through said opening and outwardly away from said upper end of said housing; an electrical switch comprised of: a pair of stationary electrical contacts attached to an upper inside surface of said housing cavity, said contacts being electrically insulated from one another; and a movable electrical contact attached to an upper surface of said flange of said plunger, said switch having an open position in which said movable contact is spaced apart from said stationary contacts when said plunger is in said first position and a closed position in which said movable contact is in electrical communication with said stationary contacts when said plunger is in said second position; spring means disposed in said cavity actively bearing on a lower surface of said flange and a lower inside surface defining said cavity in said housing, to concurrently bias said plunger from said first position to said second position and said movable contact from said open position to said closed position; and connecting means of predetermined length connecting said second end of said rod to said plug, whereby, when said plug is installed, said plunger is in said first position and said movable contact is in said open position, and when said plug is not installed, said spring means moves said plunger to said second position and said movable contact to said closed position.

Claim 16

A plug detector apparatus to indicate position of a drain plug in a small boat or craft, said detection apparatus comprising: a housing of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration defining a cavity therein and having an upper end with a central opening therethrough and a lower end with a central opening therethrough; a plunger disposed in said housing to reciprocate therein, said plunger comprised of: a cylindrical rod having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said second end extending through said central opening in said lower end of said housing; and a radially extending circular flange on said rod between said first and second ends, said plunger having a first position in which said first end of said rod is substantially flush with an outer surface of said upper end of said housing adjacent said central opening therein and a second position in which first end extends through said opening and outwardly away from said upper end of said housing; an electrical switch comprised of: a pair of stationary electrical contacts attached to an upper inside surface of said housing cavity, said contacts being electrically insulated from one another; and a movable electrical contact attached to an upper surface of said flange of said plunger, said switch having an open position in which said movable contact is spaced apart from said stationary contacts when said plunger is in said first position and a closed position in which said movable contact is in electrical communication with said stationary contacts when said plunger is in said second position; spring means disposed in said cavity actively bearing on a lower surface of said flange and a lower inside surface defining said cavity in said housing, to concurrently bias said plunger from said first position to said second position and said movable contact from said open position to said closed position; and connecting means of predetermined length connecting said second end of said rod to said plug, whereby, when said plug is installed, said plunger is in said first position and said movable contact is in said open position, and when said plug is not installed, said spring means moves said plunger to said second position and said movable contact to said closed position.

Claim 17

Apparatus of claim 13 wherein said spring means is characterized by a helical coil spring.

Claim 18

Apparatus of claim 13 wherein said connecting means is characterized by a flexible cable.

Claim 19

Apparatus of claim 15 wherein said cable is a metal chain.