Waterproof lighting apparatus

• US 6,030,108 A
• Filed: 08/09/1993
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
• Inventors: Aoki, Takao, Tanuma, Itsuo, Naito, Kazuo, Koyama, Kiyoshi, Matsumuro, Yasuhiko, Ishiharada, Minoru
• Primary Examiner(s): HUSAR, STEPHEN F
• Application Number:
  US08/103,226
• Time in Patent Office: 2,395 Days
• Field of Search: 362/32, 362/293, 362/101, 362/96, 362/559, 362/582, 362/562, 385/123, 385/125, 385/100
• US Class Current: 362/562
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/06 Arrangements for heating or lighting in, or attached to, receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0011 with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 15/06 essentially made of cables, nettings or the like E01F15/10, E01F15/12 take precedence; protection against falling rocks E01F7/04; arresting gear for aircraft B64F1/02
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/20 Use of light guides, e.g. fibre-optic devices
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/559 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/617 Illuminated or wired-up posts, bollards, pillars or like upstanding bodies or structures for traffic guidance, warning or control E01F9/559 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 11/00 Non-electric lighting devices or systems using daylight roofs with sky-light opening E04D13/03; sun blinds for windows with means for redirecting light onto ceiling of a room E06B9/00; hybrid lighting devices combining artificial and natural light F21S19/00; solar heat collectors F24S; solar cells or solar cell modules H01L31/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2107/20 for water vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/02 for roads, paths or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/047 for light-buoys
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/08 for handles or handrails
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/02 for fountains
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/109 of gardens
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/401 for swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0472 Traffic signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2009/3055 for traffic signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/1868 Fluorescent pencil
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/305 : being the ends of optical fibres G09F9/302 takes precedence

Abstract

The light transmission hose included in the waterproof lighting apparatus according to the present invention is of a watertight structure, so it can easily be used as laid in or on water without any special protective means. Since the light source is installed in a location apart from water, it can be easily maintained and lamp replacement is also easy. By selecting a desired one of the kinds of light source, the illumination can be changed, resulting in a great effect of illumination. If provided with a powerful light source, the waterproof lighting apparatus according to the present invention can be used for warning any hazardous area to walkers, bicycle riders, car drivers, ships, aircraft and the like vehicles. Even if the lighting apparatus is located far away, the light from the light-emitting portion permits the walker or vehicle driver to readily be aware of a hazardous area.

Claims

1. A waterproof lighting apparatus, comprising:

a light source for emitting light; and

a single flexible light transmission tube connected at one end thereof to said light source so as to receive the emitted light, said tube comprising a long hollow clad formed from a flexible polymer, and a core provided inside the clad, the core being of a material having an index of refraction light transmissivity that is higher than that of the clad, said core being solid and formed from an ester acrylate or a co-polymer of it; and

the light emitted from the light source being guided through the flexible light transmission tube to exit at least from a light-emitting portion provided at the other end of said tube.

2. The waterproof lighting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a water fountain;

and wherein the light-emitting portion is provided atop said water fountain.

3. The waterproof lighting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a waterproof housing, and wherein said light source is disposed within said housing.

4. The waterproof lighting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said clad is waterproof.

5. The waterproof lighting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light-emitting portion of said tube is disposed in water.