Abstract:
There is a provided a lighting system comprising a first cable and a second cable for receiving a voltage difference. The first cable extends between a first pair of installation locations and the second cable extends between a second pair of installation locations. The lighting system also comprises a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) strips, each LED strip electrically connected to and extending between the first cable and second cable. The lighting system also comprises a cable tensioner system coupled to the first cable and second cable for adjusting the tension of the first cable and second cable.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a U.S. National Phase of International Patent Application PCT/CA2013/050831, filed Oct. 31, 2013, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/720,626 filed on Oct. 31, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to lighting systems, and more specifically, lighting systems comprising light emitting diode (LED) strips. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional medium and large sized lighting systems, such as LED light boxes, found in the market can be difficult to transport due to their size, thus increasing transportation complexity and costs, as well as storage space required when the lighting systems are not used. Furthermore, lighting systems may be assembled from many different parts (e.g. over hundreds or thousands of LED strips) that require time-consuming manual effort to position within and attach to other components within the lighting system. 
     It is an object of the present invention to overcome or mitigate at least one of the above disadvantages. In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide a lighting system which overcomes at least one of the problems associated with known lighting systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an aspect, there is provided a lighting system, such as a collapsible lighting system, made with a frame of extruded aluminum bars, united together in the corners, including a plurality of LEDs united on a printed circuit board (PCB) strip or LED strip, which are assembled over electrified steel cables, tensioned between opposite sides of the frame. 
     In an aspect, there is a provided a lighting system comprising a first cable and a second cable for receiving a voltage difference. The first cable extends between a first pair of installation locations and the second cable extends between a second pair of installation locations. The lighting system also comprises a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) strips, each LED strip electrically connected to and extending between the first cable and second cable. The lighting system also comprises a cable tensioner system coupled to the first cable and second cable for adjusting the tension of the first cable and second cable. 
     In some examples, each LED strip is connected to the first cable using a first connector and connected to the second cable using a second connector. The LED strip may comprise a first indicator for aligning with the first connector and a second indicator for aligning with the second connector. The first indicator may be distinct from the second indicator. The first indicator may comprise a pair of aligned indents along the LED strip and the second indicator may comprise a pair of staggered indents along the LED strip. 
     In some examples, the LED strips comprise a plurality of contacts connectable to the first connector and second connector. The plurality of LED strips may be detachably connected to the first cable and second cable. 
     In some examples, at least one of the first cable and second cable comprise a copper core and a plurality of wires having a higher tensile strength than the core. The wire having a higher tensile strength may comprise steel. 
     In some examples, the cable tensioner system comprises a first cable tensioner at one end of the first cable and a second cable tensioner at one end of the second cable, such that tension of the first cable and second cable may be independently adjusted. The cable tensioner system may further comprise a third cable tensioner at the other end of the first cable and a fourth cable tensioner at the other end of the second cable, such that the tension of the first cable and second cable may be adjusted at both respective ends. 
     In some examples, the first cable is electrically insulated from the frame and the second cable is electrically coupled to the frame. The first cable may be electrically coupled to a positive terminal of a power supply and the second cable may be electrically coupled to a negative terminal of the power supply. 
     In some examples, the LED strips may comprise a plurality of LEDs substantially evenly spaced a distance apart along the LED strip and the plurality of LED strips may be substantially evenly spaced a distance apart along the first cable and second cable. 
     In some examples, the cable tensioner system is detachably coupled to the installation locations. 
     In some examples, at least one of the cable tensioners is fixed to one of the installation locations using an anchor. The anchor may be conductive. The first cable tensioner may be attached to the anchor and the anchor may be electrically coupled to a positive terminal of a power supply through one or more other anchors electrically connected in series. In some examples, the anchor is slidable along an extruded bracket at the installation location. 
     In some examples, the first pair of installation locations and second pair of installation locations are parts of a frame. Each of the installation locations of the first pair and each of the installation locations of the second pair may be on opposite sides of the frame. 
     In some examples, the LED strips face a cover to be illuminated by the LED strips. Each of the LED strips may comprise a plurality of LEDs on opposite sides of the LED strip. The opposite sides of the LED strips may face respective covers to be illuminated by the LED strips. At least one of the covers may comprise any one or more of a banner, a sign, an advertisement and an image. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example light box. 
         FIG. 2  is cutaway and expanded view of a portion of an example lighting system. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an example lighting system. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an example LED assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective and expanded view of an example LED assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an example LED strip. 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of an example first connector in an open position. 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of an example first connector in a locked position. 
         FIG. 9  is a back perspective view of an example first connector in an open position. 
         FIG. 10  is a back perspective view of an example first connector in a locked position. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an example first connector with a first cable, a picker and a support. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an example first connector with a first cable placed on the support, and a picker. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an example first connector with a first cable placed on the support, and a picker pressing the first connector and first cable. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective and expanded view of an example LED strip with the first cable and locked first connectors. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective and expanded view of an example LED strip with the first cable and opened first connectors. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an example opened first connector with a first cable and a part of a LED strip. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an example opened first connector with a first cable and part of a LED strip placed in the first connector. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an example closed connector with a first cable and a part of a LED strip placed in the first connector. 
         FIG. 19  is a partial perspective view of an example extruded aluminum profile of a frame with a second cable, an anchor and a cable tensioner. 
         FIG. 20  is a partial exploded view of an example extruded aluminum profile of a frame, an anchor and a cable tensioner for a second cable. 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of an example extruded aluminum profile of a frame with a second cable, an anchor and a cable tensioner. 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a partial perspective view of an example extruded aluminum profile of a frame with a first cable, an anchor and a cable tensioner. 
         FIG. 24  is a partial exploded view of an example extruded aluminum profile of a frame, an anchor and a cable tensioner for a first cable. 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of an example extruded aluminum profile of a frame with a first cable, an anchor and a cable tensioner. 
         FIG. 26  is a partial perspective view of an example extruded aluminum profile of a frame with a second cable, an anchor and another example cable tensioner. 
         FIG. 27  is a partial exploded view of an example extruded aluminum profile of a frame, an anchor and another example cable tensioner for a second cable. 
         FIG. 28  is a side view of an example extruded aluminum profile of a frame with a second cable, an anchor and another example cable tensioner. 
         FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 28 . 
         FIG. 30  is a partial perspective view of an example extruded aluminum profile of a frame with a first cable, an anchor and another example cable tensioner. 
         FIG. 31  is a partial exploded view of an example extruded aluminum profile of a frame, an anchor and another example cable tensioner for a first cable. 
         FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional view of an example extruded aluminum profile of a frame with a first cable, an anchor and another example cable tensioner. 
         FIG. 33  is a cutaway and expanded view of an example lighting system used on a column. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. 
     In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an example lighting system  2  used in a light box application is provided. The light box is shown beside a person  1  to provide an example of the relative size of an example medium-sized lighting system  2 . It will be appreciated that in other examples, the size of the lighting system  2  can be significantly bigger or smaller than the example lighting system  2  depicted. In this example, the lighting system  2  is used with a frame  3  and a cover  7  mounted along the frame  3 . The cover  7  can display a banner, sign, advertisement, image or other content and can be made of any material that can be illuminated by the lighting system  2  behind the cover  7 . For example, the cover  7  can be made of fabric with one or more printed images thereon. It will be appreciated that the cover  7  can be mounted on the frame using any suitable means. For example, a strip of silicon can be sewed along the edges of the cover  7  and then inserted into grooves along the frame  3  to hold the banner stretched across and attached to the frame  3 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the example lighting system  2  is provided. The lighting system  2  includes at least one first cable  5 , at least one second cable  40  and a plurality of LED strips  4  comprising LEDs  10 . In an example, the first cable and second cable extend between and are connected to opposite sides of the frame  3  along the entire height of the frame  3  (e.g. first cable  5 ′ and second cable  40 ′ of  FIG. 3 ). In another example, the first cable and second cable can extend between opposite sides of the frame  3  along a portion of the height of the frame  3  (e.g. first cable  5 ″ and second cable  40 ″ of  FIG. 3 ), in which case the frame  3  includes an intermediary portion  3 ″ having sides for which one end of the first cable  5 ″ and second cable  40 ″ are connected. A plurality of LED strips  4  are electrically connected to the first cable  5  and second cable  40 , near the ends of the LED strips  4  to form a LED assembly  44 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , perspective views of an example LED assembly  44  of the first cable  5 , second cable  40  and LED strips  4  are shown. The LED strips  4  are connected across the first cable  5  and second cable  40  to position rows of LEDs  10  in a matrix or grid arrangement. Each LED strip  4  can be connected to the first cable  5  using a first connector  8  and to the second cable  6  using a second connector  9 . The LED assembly  44  can be mounted to the frame  3  by a cable tensioning system. An example cable tensioner system includes a cable tensioner  19  at each end of the first cable  5  and second cable  40 . A first cable tensioner  19  couples an end of the first cable  5  to a side of the frame  3  and a second cable tensioner  19  couples the other end of the first cable  5  to the opposite side of the frame  3 . A third cable tensioner  19  couples an end of the second first cable  40  to a side of the frame  3  and a fourth cable tensioner  19  couples the other end of the second cable  40  to the opposite side of the frame  3 . 
     The LED strips  4  can be powered by a power supply with the positive terminal electrically coupled to a positive terminal of the LED strip  4  via the first cable  5  and first connector  8 . The negative terminal of the power supply can be electrically coupled to a negative terminal of the LED strip  4  via the second cable  40  and the second connector  9 . Current passes through the LED strip  4  to feed the LEDs  10  and cause the LEDs  4  to emit light. The first and second connectors  8  and  9  can be fixed on the first cable  5  and second cable  40 , respectively, at substantially evenly spaced distances (subject to manufacturing tolerances and other practical constraints) so the distance between each LED strip  4  is the same to obtain homogeneity of the light diffused to the cover  7 . In another example, the LED strips comprise a plurality of LEDs substantially evenly spaced (subject to manufacturing tolerances and other practical constraints) along the LED strip  4  and the LED strips  4  are substantially evenly spaced along the first cable  5  and second cable  40  at the same distance as the LEDs  10  are spaced apart on a LED strip  4 , such that the LEDs  10  are uniformly distributed along both the direction of the cables and the LED strips  4 . It will be appreciated that, in other examples, the LEDs  10  can be non-uniformly spaced along an LED strip  4 , and the LED strips  4  can be non-uniformly placed along the first cable  5  and second cable  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an example LED strip  4  is shown. In one aspect, the LED strips  4  are printed circuit boards comprising one more positive terminal and negative terminal contacts, which when connected to a power source, cause the LEDs  10  to emit light. The example LED strip  4  of  FIG. 6  includes a plurality of LEDs  10  across its length. In an example, the LED strip  4  can be cut in the gap between each LED  10 , thus making a length of the LED strip  4  adjustable for frames of different sizes. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 10 , an example first connector  8  is shown. The first connector  8  has includes a connector body  60  that can co-operates with a connector lock  11  to secure an LED strip  4  between interior surfaces of the connector body  60  and the connector lock  11 .  FIG. 7  shows a front perspective view of the first connector  8  in an opened position in which the connector lock  11  is not engaged with the connector body  60 .  FIG. 8  shows a front perspective view of the first connector  8  in a locked position in which the connector lock  11  is engaged with the connector body  60 . The first connector  8  also includes a cable hole  12  for receiving the first cable  5 , current points  13  for electrically connecting the first cable  5  placed within the cable hole  12  to the positive terminal of the LED strip  4 . The first connector  8  also includes a cable case placed within the cable hole  12  which is electrically connected to the current points  13 . In an example, the cable case takes on the form of a cylindrical tube, made of copper or other conductive metal, electrical connected to the current points. The cable case receives and holds the first cable  5  within the cable hole  12 . 
     In an example, the components of the first connector  8  are made of a nonconductive material such as plastic, with the exception of the current points  13  and the cable case. The current points  13  can be made of a conductive metal, such as copper, to transmit the current received from the first cable  5  to the LED strips  4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , rear perspective views of an example first connector  8  in an open position ( FIG. 9 ) and in a locked position ( FIG. 10 ) are shown. The connector body  60  includes a cable locker hole  15  to be used to connect the first cable  5  to the first connector  8 . 
       FIGS. 11 to 13  illustrate an example method to connect the first cable  5  to the first connector  8 . The first cable  5  is placed through the cable hole  12  and received by the cable case inside the cable hole  12  ( FIG. 11 ). The first connector  8  is then placed on a support  17  ( FIG. 12 ). The first cable  5  is then pressed at the location of the cable locker hole  15  with a picker  16  (or other suitable instrument) with a reasonable force to deform the cable case to hold the first cable  5  received by the cable case, and to form a crimp contact between the cable case and the first cable  5  ( FIG. 13 ). The first cable  5  and the cable case are attached and electrically connected by the mechanical deformation of the cable case and first cable  5  caused by the picker  16 . 
     After the first connector  8  is connected to the first cable  5 , the LED string  4  can be secured to the first cable  5  using the first connector  8 .  FIG. 14  illustrates an example of an LED string  4  secured at one end by the first connector  8  in the locked position with the connector lock  11  secured to the connector body  60 .  FIG. 15  illustrates an example of an LED string  4  placed within the first connector  8  in the open position. An example of securing the LED strip  4  to the first cable  5  using the first connector  8  is illustrated in  FIGS. 16 to 19 . The LED strip  4  is placed in the first connector  8  ( FIG. 17 ) within the connector body  60 , and then secured to the first connector  8  by securing the connector lock  11  to the connector body  60 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 6 , in an example embodiment, the LED strips  4  can include a positive alignment indicator  54  to indicate the position of the positive terminal contact of the LED strip  4  and a negative alignment indicator  56  to indicate the position of the negative terminal contact of the LED strip  4 . In an example, the positive alignment indicator  54  and negative alignment indicator  56  can be different (e.g. aligned indents of positive alignment indicator  54  and staggered indents of negative alignment indicator  56 ) so that the positive and negative terminals of the LED strip  4  can be easily identified. In another example, the first connector  8  can include positioners  14  ( FIG. 7 ) to align and mate with the positive alignment indicator  54  of the LED strip  4  ( FIG. 6 ). In the example of aligned indents of the positive alignment indicators  54  on the LED strip  4 , the positioners  14  of the first connector  8  are aligned projections dimensioned to securely fit within the indents. Similarly, in the example of staggered indents of the negative alignment indicators  56 , the second connector  9  can have staggered positioners positioned and dimensioned to mate with the staggered indents. Thus, distinct alignment indicators on the LED strip  4  and the distinct positioners of the first connectors  8  and the second connectors  9  ensure that the positive terminal of the LED strip  4  can only be connected to the first connectors  8  (which provide the positive terminal of the power supply), and the negative terminal of the LED strip  4  can only be connected to the second connectors  9  (which provide the negative terminal of the power supply). 
     It will be appreciated that the description of the first connector  8  is also applicable to the second connector  9 . In an example, the first connector  8  and second connector  9  are the same. In another example, the first connector  8  and second connector  9  differ in the configuration of the positioners to connect to different parts of the LED strip  4 . 
     As discussed above, the ends of the first cable  5  and second cable  40  can be secured to frame  3  using a plurality of cable tensioners  19 . For example,  FIG. 19  illustrates the second cable  40  secured to an extruded aluminum bar  18  of the frame  3  using a cable tensioner  19 . The cable tensioner  19  is connected to an anchor  20  which is fixed to the frame  3 . In an example, the anchor  20  is placed within groves of the aluminum bar  18  of the frame  3  and is slidable along the grooves for proper placement. The anchor  20  can be fixed to the frame  3  using fixing set screws  21  and the cable tensioner  19  can be attached to the anchor using a main set screw  23 . It will be appreciated that other suitable fastening means can be used to fix the anchor  20  to the frame  3  and/or the cable tensioner  19  to the anchor  20 .  FIG. 20  shows the same elements of  FIG. 19  in an exploded view without the second cable  40 .  FIG. 21  shows a side view of the anchor  20  inserted in the extruded aluminum bar  18  with the second cable  40  passing inside the cable tensioner  19 , which is attached to the anchor  20  by the main set screw  23 . The cable tensioner  19  couples an end of the second cable  40  to a side of the frame  3 , and can be used to adjust the tension of the second cable  40 . 
     In an example, the cable tensioner  19  receives an end  22  of the second cable  40  and adjusts the tension of the second cable  40  by adjusting the length of the second cable  40  extending across the frame  3 , and also pulls on the second cable  40  once the length is fixed. A cross-section view of an example cable tensioner  19  is shown in  FIG. 22 . In this example, the cable tensioner  19  allows the second cable  40  to easily move toward the frame  3  but block the passage in the other direction unless a lock is released. The cable tensioner includes an upper case  27 , medium body  30 , swirling body  32  and a lock mechanism utilizing a spring  29  and spheres  26 . The second cable  40  passes through a spheres case  25  within the upper case  27  surrounding the spheres  26 , and existing the cable tensioner  19  by a side exits hole of the medium body  30 . The medium body  30  is attached to the upper case  27  by a thread between the two bodies. The spheres case  25 , together with the spheres  26  is pressed to the upper side of the upper case  27  by a spring  29 , which is held in position by a spring lock  28 . The swirling body  32  is rotatably attached to the medium body  30  by a screw  31 . An interior nut  33  is attached to the swirling body  32  by a thread. The interior nut  33  also has an inside thread to receive the main set screw  23 . The main set screw  23  is attached to the anchor  20  by a thread between their surfaces. A cable lock  24  can lock the cable in the desired position. Once the cable lock  24  is turned around the upper case  27 , the thread between the spheres case  25  and the cable lock  24  forces the spheres case  25  to move upwards, which causes the spheres  26  to press against the second cable  40 , locking the second cable  40  in place and preventing its movement. It will be appreciated that other types of cable tensioners can be used to adjust the tension of the second cable  40  and to couple the second cable  40  to the frame  3 . 
     In an example, the second cable  40  is attached to the frame  3  and adjusted by first passing the second cable  40  through the cable tensioner  19  while separated from the frame  3 . The anchor  20  is then placed inside the extruded aluminum bar  18  of the frame  3  and fixed in the frame  3  using the fixing set screws  21 , followed with threading the main set screw into the anchor. The cable tensioner  19 , with the second cable  40  inside, can then be attached to the anchor  20  by threading the main set screw  23  with the interior nut  33  of the cable tensioner  19 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 23 to 25 , the first cable  5  can be attached to the frame  3  using a cable tensioner  19  in a similar manner as described with respect to the second cable  40 , with the addition of an insulator  34  to insulate the first cable  5  from the frame  3 . In an example, an insulator  34  placed between the anchor  35  and the extruded aluminum bar  18  of the frame  3  to insulate the anchor  35  from the extruded aluminum bar  18 . Fixing set screws  37 , used to fix the anchor  35  to the frame  3 , can be made of polyester or other nonconductive material. 
     In an example, the first cable  5  is used to transmit current from a power source to power the LED strips  4 . In this example, the anchor  35  receives current from the power source (or intermediate contact such as an anchor  35  of another first cable  5 ) by cables  38  connected at jumper screws  36  ( FIGS. 23 and 24 ). The cables  38  can be connected to the positive terminal of the power supply. The negative terminal of the power supply can be connected to the anchor  20  of the second cable  40  or directly to the frame  3 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 2 to 3 , once the LED assemblies  44  are assembled and attached to the frame  3 , the height of the first cables  5  and second cables  40  can be adjusted using the cable tensioners  19 . For example, the end of the first cables  5  and second cables  40  can be pulled in the direction of the bar  18  or pressing down the spheres case  25  to liberate the cable in the opposite direction. Once the distance of the cables are roughly adjusted, the cable lock  24  can be tightened for finer adjustment and the tension can be adjusted by turning the swirling body  32  around the main set screw  23 . Tension to the first cables  5  and second cables  40  cables can be applied using the cable tensioners  19  to straighten the cables and/or maintain the cables straight. 
     In another embodiment, the first cable  5  and second cable  40  can comprise a copper core and a plurality of wires having a higher tensile strength, such as steel. For example, the first cable  5  and second cable  40  can be comprise a 7×19 cable, having a copper core strand of 19 wires, surrounded by 6 strands made of a steel (e.g. stainless steel), or a combination of steel and copper (or copper alloy) strands. Increasing the tensile strength of the first cable  5  and second cable  40  enables the cables to withstand greater tension such that the first cable  5  and second cable  40  can be pulled with a greater force, and thus providing a flatter and more planar arrangement of LEDs  10  extending across the first cable  5  and second cable  40 . A flatter arrangement can provide more uniform lightning as the LEDs  10  are uniformly spaced from the cover  7  within the frame  3 , and can also allow for the frame to be made with a thinner profile as the extent of unevenness in the plane of LEDs is reduced or eliminated. 
     In another embodiment, the LED strips  4  can include LEDs  10  on both surfaces of the LED strips  4 , such that a cover  7  can be mounted on opposite external faces of the lighting system  2 . 
     In an example embodiment, the lighting system  2  may be assembled on-site. In another example, the LED strips  4  can be detachably connected to the first connectors  8  and second connectors  9 , and/or the cable tensioners  19  (and thus the light assembly  44 ) may be detachably connected to the frame  3 . The frame may also comprise of parts that can be assembled/disassembled. 
     It will be appreciated that the frame  3  can include any suitable bracket or extruded profile that can secure the cable tensioners  19  on the frame  3 . It will also be appreciated that the shape of the frame  3  can be a square, rectangle or any other shape in which the first cable  5  and second cable  40  can be affixed to two sides of the frame. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 26 to 29 , another example of the cable tensioner  19 ′ that can be used with the second cable  40  is shown. As shown in  FIG. 29 , the cable tensioner  19 ′ includes an upper portion  60 , adjustment portion  62  and lower portion  64 . The upper portion receives the second cable  40  and secures the second cable using screws (not shown) or any other suitable fastening means. The lower portion  64  includes a bore to receive the main set screw  23  such that the adjustment portion  62  is engaged with the main set screw  23  by threads within the inner surface of the adjustment portion  62 . The lower portion  64  and upper portion  60  are attached together and enclose the top and bottom of the adjustment portion  62 . The adjustment portion  62  can be turned about the threaded main set screw  23  such that the adjustment portion  62  moves towards or away from the the frame  18 , thus causing the upper portion  60  to move with the adjustment portion  62  and adjust the tension on the second cable  40  as it its pulled towards or away from the anchor  20 . The components of the cable tensioner  19 ′ can be made of a conductive material to form an electrical connection between the second cable  40  and the main set screw  23  of the anchor  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 30 to 32 , the first cable  5  can be attached to the frame  3  using a cable tensioner  19 ′ in a similar manner as described with respect to the second cable  40 , with the addition of an insulator  34  to insulate the first cable  5  from the frame  3 . 
     Although the examples above have described the lighting system  2  mounted within a frame  3 , it will be appreciated that the lighting system  2  can be used in other installation locations and environments. For example, anchors  20  can be fixed to a ceiling and floor such that the first cable  5  and second cable  40  extend from a floor to a ceiling. In another example, the anchors  20  can be attached to brackets located at desired installation locations, instead of a frame  3 . 
     In another example,  FIG. 33  illustrates the lighting system  2  used on a column  70  to illuminate a cylindrical cover  7  surrounding the column. In this example, each LED assemblies  44  of the lighting system  2  spans a portion of the height of the column  70 . The first cables  5  and second cables  40  extend circumferentially around the column  70 . In this example, the LED strips  4  extend in the vertical direction. The end of the first cable  5  can be connected to a cable tensioner  19 ′ that is connected to an anchor  20 . The anchor  20  can be secured to a bracket  72  which is also fixed to the column  70 . From this example, it can be seen that the lighting system  2  can be used on a variety of different installation locations. In some examples, brackets or other mounting assemblies can be used to attach the anchor  20  or other component of the light system  2  to an installation location. It will be appreciated that the first cables  5  and second cables  40  can be oriented vertically, horizontally or other directions, and can be configured to follow flat, curved or other contoured surfaces to form LED assemblies. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto. The entire disclosures of all references recited above are incorporated herein by reference.