Patent Abstract:
A light combined with a cable illuminates a cable-stayed bridge in which a deck slab is fixed by a cable, or a structure in which wires or cables are combined, so as to achieve improved visual landscaping effects. The light of the present invention comprises a frame ( 110 ), a lamp ( 120 ), a housing ( 130 ), and a switch ( 150 ). The frame ( 110 ) comprises: a through-hole ( 111 ) for the a cable ( 13 ) to pass therethrough; a plurality of lamp mounting grooves ( 112 ) formed along the circumference of the through-hole ( 111 ); and fastening holes ( 114 ) which are formed along the circumferential surface of the frame and communicate with the through-hole ( 111 ) in the horizontal direction, and each of which has an inner surface provided with a female screw thread. The lamp mounting grooves ( 112 ) are formed into steps such that lamp mounting grooves closer to the through-hole ( 111 ) are deeper than those farther away from the through-hole. The frame ( 110 ) further comprises a bar-shaped first fastening bolt ( 116 ) which passes through one of the fastening holes ( 114 ), and which has a circumferential surface with a male screw thread so as to engage with the female screw thread. The lamp ( 120 ) has light sources ( 121 ) fixed in the respective lamp mounting grooves ( 112 ) to emit light. The housing ( 130 ) accommodates the frame ( 110 ). The switch ( 150 ) controls the flickering operation of the lamp ( 120 ), and is installed within the housing ( 130 ).

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a light, and more particularly, to a light combined with a cable, which effectively illuminates a cable-stayed bridge in which a bridge deck is fixed by cables, or a structure in which wires or cables are combined, so as to achieve improved visual landscaping effects. 
     In general, larger structures (hereafter, referred to as a “subject”), such as a variety of sculptures for landscaping, products exhibited for sales presentation, bridges, or buildings, are illuminated to light up the appearance. 
     Creating the appearance using lights is performed by placing illumination of colors at locations depending on the shape of the subject or points thereof to be highlighted. 
     In addition, subjects include larger structures, such as a cable-stayed bridge. 
     As is known, the cable-stayed bridge  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) is a bridge in which cables  13  obliquely extending from a tower  11  are connected to girders to fix a bridge deck  12  of the bridge, and thus is an advantageous structure in terms of economics and enhancing aesthetics. To allow the appearance of the cable-stayed bridge  10  to be visible even at a night, lights  100  are installed to illuminate each of cables  13 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 1  (i.e., a view schematically showing a state of installation of the lights which illuminate the cable-stayed bridge), a light  100  is separately disposed at a point where the cable  13  is connected to the bridge deck  12  and then illuminates upward along the cable  13 , such that light beam of the light  100  can be irradiated in a longitudinal direction of the cable  13 . 
     Thus, because each of cables  13  of the cable-stayed bridge  10  is illuminated by the light  100 , locations and appearance of the cables  13  can be seen even at a night, so that the inherent structural/external characteristics of the cable-stayed bridge  10  can be enjoyed. 
     However, the light  100  according to the related art is disposed laterally to an existing cable  13 , which is already installed, and illuminates in the longitudinal direction  13 . Thus, the light  100  cannot shine a light beam parallel to the cable  13 . Specifically, the arrangement aspect of the light  100  according to the related art is just a configuration for illuminating only lateral surfaces of the cables  13  which are obliquely arranged. Furthermore, the concentration of light  100  on the cable  13  is reduced due to diffusion of light beam, and also is reduced in distinguishability on the cable  13  due to being interfered with by light beams irradiated from other adjacent lights. Therefore, there is the problem of a plurality of lights  100  installed along the bridge deck  12  of the cable-stayed bridge  10  being configured to shine their light beams only towards the sky. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a light combined with a cable, which can effectively illuminate a subject, such as a cable-stayed bridge, to emphasize shape characteristics of the subject, and can be installed on an existing subject, which is already installed, without additional manipulation of the subject. 
     In order to achieve the above objects, there is provided a light combined with a cable, including: 
     a frame including: a through-hole configured to allow the cable to be extended therethrough; a plurality of lamp mounting grooves disposed along a circumference of the through-hole, the plurality of lamp mounting grooves being formed in a stepped shape such that lamp mounting grooves closer to the through-hole are recessed deeper than those away from the through-hole; fastening holes formed along the circumferential surface of the frame to be horizontally extended through the through-hole, the fastening holes each having an inner surface provided with a female screw thread; and, bar-shaped first fastening bolts each extending through one of the fastening holes, the first fastening bolts each having a circumferential surface provided with a male screw thread so as to engage with the female screw thread; 
     a plurality of lamps fixed in the respective lamp mounting grooves, each having light sources for emitting a light beam; 
     a housing for accommodating and surrounding the frame; and 
     a switch installed within the housing  130  for controlling on/off of the lamps. 
     According to the present invention, the light can be integrally fixed on a subject, such as the cables of a cable-stayed bridge, to illuminate in a longitudinal direction of the subject and parallel to the subject. As a result, there are obtained effects that the irradiated light beam can be integrated with the cables and also the light can be applied to an existing subject to be integrated with the subject. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view schematically showing a state of installation of lights which illuminate a cable-stayed bridge; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a light according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a view showing a state of installing the light according to the present invention to a bridge; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a frame of the light according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing the embodiment of the frame of the light according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a configuration for remotely controlling the light of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of a frame according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in greater detail to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 ,  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a light according to the present invention, and  FIG. 3  is a view showing a state of installation of the light according to the present invention to a bridge. 
     A light  100 ′ according to the present invention includes a frame  110 , on which a plurality of lamps  120  are installed, and a housing  130  for surrounding and protecting the frame  110  and also fixing the frame  110  at a predetermined location. In this case, the frame  110  and the housing  130  are shaped such that a cable  13  can extend through the frame  110  and the housing  130  as shown. 
     Meanwhile, although the light  100 ′ according to the present invention is preferably applied to a particular subject such as a cable-stayed bridge  10 , it is natural to apply the light to other subjects which are constituted of a cable  13 , a similar rod and the like. Accordingly, although the cable-stayed bridge  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) is described as the only subject, to which the light  100 ′ is applied, in the following description, the subject is not limited to the cable-stayed bridge  10 , but may be changed within the scope of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 
     As described above, the cable-stayed bridge  10  is a structure in which a deck slab is fixed and connected by a plurality of cables  13  which are connected to the deck slab  12  at predetermined intervals. In this case, the light  100 ′ according to the present invention is fixed on each of the cables  13  to allow the cable  13  to be extended therethrough, such that the light  100 ′ can effectively illuminate the entire peripheral surface of the cable. In addition, the light  100 ′ is integrally connected and fixed on the cable  13 , and thus the light  100 ′ can move along with a cable  13  swaying in strong wind. As a result, the light  100 ′ is oriented in a moving direction depending on swaying of the cable  13 , such that an illumination direction thereof can be automatically adjusted, and scattering of the light  100 ′ caused by an external force, which is applied by the cable  13 , can be minimized because of movement along with swaying of the cable  13 . 
     For reference, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the cables  13  of the cable-stayed bridge  10  are at a steeper angle as the cables  13  are closed to a tower  12  (see  FIG. 1 ), and, correspondingly the housing  130  of the light  100 ′ is also at a different angle depending on an installation location thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 ,  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the frame of the light according to the present invention, and  FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing the embodiment of the frame of the light according to the present invention. 
     The frame  110  of the light  100 ′ according to the present invention includes a through-hole  111  formed therein to allow the cable  13  to be extended therethrough, and a plurality of lamp mounting grooves  112  disposed in concentric circles around the through-hole  111  for mounting first, second, and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′ and  120 ″. Of course, although the lamp mounting grooves  112  can be disposed in any polygon shape other than the circles, such concentric circles are preferred to maintain a constant interval between the cable  13  and the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′ and  120 ″. 
     Also, the plurality of lamp mounting grooves  112  disposed in concentric circles has a stepped shape in which the lamp mounting grooves  112  are recessed deeper as the lamp mounting grooves  112  are closed to the cable  13 . As a result, the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′ and  120 ″ mounted in the lamp mounting grooves  112  can concentrate their illumination on the cable  13  without scattering of the light beam, and light source points can be dispersed not to be visibly focused to the light  100 ′, not to the cable  13 . Specifically, when the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′  120 ″ emitting light are placed on an identical plane, the plane has a very high brightness because light sources of the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′ and  120 ″ are all concentrated. Namely, when such an illuminated scene is seen from a long distance, the attention associated with the scene can be only concentrated on the plane in which the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′ and  120 ″ are located, and an outline of the cable  13  adjacent to the light cannot be seen due to the excessive brightness. However, when the first, second and third ramps  120 ,  120 ′ and  120 ″ are disposed in a stepped shape in which a middle portion thereof is deeper recessed, light sources are dispersed such that the cable  13  is effectively illuminated, and in terms of structure, such a stepped shape can perform a function of a lampshade for guiding the light beam in a predetermined direction, and thus the illuminating efficiency in a longitudinal direction of the cable  13  can be maximized. 
     Meanwhile, the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′ and  120 ″ may each have an arch shape in which a plurality of light sources  121  are mounted as shown, and alternatively, the light sources  121  themselves may be separately mounted in the lamp mounting grooves  112 . 
     In addition, light beam paths need to be refracted such that the light beams irradiated from the light sources  121  can be concentrated on and illuminate the cable  13 . To this end, the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′ and  120 ″ according to the present invention each further include a lens  122 . 
     The lens  122  adjusts the light beam path as described above, and as the lamps are more closed to the cable  13 , the corresponding lens  122  has a higher refractive index such that the light beam of the corresponding lamp can directly illuminate the cable  13 . Because bridges such as a cable-stayed bridge are roads for crossing a sea or a river, fog can frequently occur due to their location. When the cable  13  is illuminated in a stepped shape, the illumination can be dispersed over a relatively large range in the longitudinal direction of the cable  13 , and thus the cable  13  can be readily discerned even when there is fog. In particular, because the lamps (in particular, the third lamp  120 ″) which are closer to the cable  13  can directly illuminate the cable  13  itself, a point where the light  100 ′ is fixed on the cable  13  can be seen from a long distance at a night or even under foggy conditions. Of course, such an advantage can provide a function of guiding vehicles or pedestrians crossing bridges, thereby ensuring the safe crossing of the vehicles or pedestrians. 
     Meanwhile, because the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′ and  120 ″ are separately mounted in each of the lamp mounting grooves  112 , electric wirings for operating the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′ and  120 ″ have to be provided. Therefore, the lamp mounting grooves  112  each have a wiring hole  113  formed therein through which the electric wirings can be extended, such that the electric wirings introduced from the outside can be connected to the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′ and  120 ″. 
     Furthermore, the light  100 ′ according to the present invention may additionally have first and second fastening bolts  116  and  117  to enhance the strength of their connection to the cable  13 . 
     A plurality of first and second fastening bolts  116  and  117  are horizontally inserted into a circumferential surface of the frame  110  in a radial shape, and thus surround and fix the peripheral surface of the cable  13  vertically extending through the frame  110 . Also, the first and second fastening bolts  116  and  117  are disposed in a pair on upper and lower end portions of the frame  110 . Specifically, the first fastening bolts  116  located on the upper end portion of the frame  110  are first tightly fixed on the peripheral surface of the cable  13 , and then the second fastening bolts  117  located on the lower end portion of the frame  110  are tightly fixed on the peripheral surface of the cable  13 , thereby ensuring a strong fastening between the cable  13  and the light  100 ′. 
     To this end, fastening holes  114  are formed along the circumferential surface of the frame  110  to horizontally pass through the through-hole  111 , and thus the first fastening bolts  116  having a bar shape can be inserted through the fastening holes  114 . For this, female screw threads (not shown) are formed on inner surfaces of the fastening holes  114  and male screw threads are correspondingly formed on circumferential surfaces of the first fastening bolts  116 , and thus the first fastening bolts  116  are securely fixed in the fastening holes  114  by coupling between the female and male screw threads. 
     One end of each of the first fastening bolts  116  which have been fixed in such a manner is tightly fixed to the cable  13 , and thus the peripheral surface of the cable  13  is surrounded by the one ends of the first fastening bolts  116  and can be securely fastened to the frame without play. For reference, the other ends of the first fastening bolts  116  may have a tightening groove formed thereon to which a tool such as a screw driver can be inserted, and then an operator can apply a rotational force to the first fastening bolts  116  via the tightening groove, such that the first fastening bolts  116  can be horizontally moved through the fastening holes  114  of the frame  110 . 
     Meanwhile, the second fastening bolts  117  are extended through and fixed in a wall portion  115  which protrudes in the longitudinal direction of the cable  13  to surround the through-hole  111 . The second fastening bolts  117  are also tightly fixed on the peripheral surface of the cable  13  by a screw thread engagement similar to the coupling between the first fastening bolts  116  and the fastening holes  114 . 
     One ends of first and second fastening bolts  116  and  117  directly contacted with the cable  13  each additionally have first and second abutting pieces  116   a  and  117   a  to be intimately surrounded and sufficiently abutted against the cable  13 . The first and second abutting pieces  116   a  and  117   a  are preferably formed of a material having a high surface friction coefficient and elasticity, and can be typically made using a synthetic resin, such as a rubber. In addition, the first and second abutting pieces  116   a  and  117   a  are rotatably secured on the one ends of the first and second fastening bolts  116  and  117 , such that, upon rotation of the first and second fastening bolts  116  and  117 , the first and second abutting pieces  116   a  and  117   a  each can be abutted against the cable  13  and kept in a stopped state, whereas the first and second fastening bolts  116  and  117  can be smoothly rotated and press the cable  13 . 
     The light  100 ′ according to the present invention can be installed and applied to the cable  13  of an existing cable-stayed bridge  10 , and thus the frame  110  surrounding the cable  13  has to be constituted of a structure which allows for assembly. Therefore, the frame  110  has a divided structure in semi-circular shapes to be assembled later, and after being assembled, is coupled together via a known or used fastening means. To this end, the light  100 ′ according to the invention further includes the housing  130  surrounding and fixing the frame  110  which has been assembled. 
     The housing  130  has a supporting shoulder  131  protruding from an inner surface thereof to securely fix and support the frame  10  without play, and a hollow portion formed therein for receiving a switch  150  which controls the on/off state of the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′,  120 ″. For reference, the switch  150  is connected to the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′,  120 ″ via the electric wirings, and thus controls on/off state of the first, second and third lamp  120 ,  120 ′,  120 ″ depending on whether it is day, night or changing between them, etc. 
     Now, referring to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a configuration for remotely controlling the light of the present invention. 
     One or more lights  100 ′ and  100 ″ are installed on each of the cables  13  of the cable-stayed bridge  10 , so that a lot of lights  100 ′ and  100 ″ are installed on a single cable-stayed bridge  10 . Accordingly, a control box  200  is additionally provided to control the numerous lights  100 ′ and  100 ″, and the switch  150  for each of the lights  100 ′ and  100 ″ controls the on/off status of the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′,  120 ″ under control of the control box  200 . 
     Meanwhile, for a clear night, the first lamp  120  is only turned on, whereas the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′,  120 ″ are all turned on on foggy nights. Therefore, the control box  200  includes a controller  220  for controlling the switch  150  for each of the lights  100 ′ and  100 ″, and a fog sensor  210  for sensing the presence of fog. Accordingly, the fog sensor  210  continuously checks weather conditions, and when fog has been detected, transfers an associated signal to the controller  220 . Then, the controller  220  controls the switch  150  to turn on the first, second and third lamps  120 ,  120 ′,  120 ″. As a result, the cables  13  of the cable-stayed bridge  10  can be readily identified irrespective of weather conditions. 
     For reference, the fog sensor  210  and the controller  220 , together with the switch  150  for turning on/off a plurality of lamps, are employing a known or used technology, and thus a detailed description of the mechanical/electrical structures thereof will be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of a frame according to the present invention. 
     As described above, the light  100 ′ according to the present invention is applied to an existing installed cable  13  and the like. Therefore, the frame  110  constituting a basic framework of the light  100 ′ has a structure which allows for assembly and disassembly. 
     First and second bodies A and B which each have a semi-circular shape obtained by dividing the frame  110  are assembled together, using a variety of fastening means. In the embodiment according to the present invention, a sliding technique using a fastening groove  118  and a fastening protrusion  119  or  119 ′ is employed. The fastening groove  118  and the fastening protrusion  119  or  119 ′ are formed in each of surfaces of the first and second bodies A and B which contact each other, such that the fastening protrusion  119 ′ can be inserted and engaged in the fastening groove  118 , thereby fastening them to each other. As a result, the first and second bodies A and B each having the semi-circular shape obtained by dividing in two parts can be assembled into a complete frame  110  having a circular shape. 
     For reference, the fastening groove  118  and the fastening protrusion  119  or  119 ′ are formed in each of surfaces of the semi-circle shaped first and second bodies A and B which contact each other, and thus the fastening groove  118  and the fastening protrusion  119  or  119 ′ are engaged with each other by sliding up and down one relative to each other. 
     Next, after the circular frame  110  has been completed, finishing bands  300  each having a semi-circular shape are placed on an upper surface of the frame  110 , and then the frame  110  and the finishing bands  300  are fixed to each other using a fastening means (not shown), such as bolts or pins, which are inserted into fastening holes  110   a  of the frame  110  and catching holes  310  of the finishing bands  300 . 
     In this case, the finishing bands  300  are placed to cover a border portion in which the first and second bodies A and B contact each other, and thus can also perform a function of creating a linkage which connects the first and second bodies A and B to each other.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5