CA2070044A1 - Tamper-resistant fixture for self-luminous radioactive light - Google Patents
Tamper-resistant fixture for self-luminous radioactive lightInfo
- Publication number
- CA2070044A1 CA2070044A1 CA002070044A CA2070044A CA2070044A1 CA 2070044 A1 CA2070044 A1 CA 2070044A1 CA 002070044 A CA002070044 A CA 002070044A CA 2070044 A CA2070044 A CA 2070044A CA 2070044 A1 CA2070044 A1 CA 2070044A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fixture
- tamper
- self
- light
- resistant
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000002285 radioactive effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 29
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 5
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- QSHDDOUJBYECFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N mercury Chemical compound [Hg] QSHDDOUJBYECFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- YZCKVEUIGOORGS-NJFSPNSNSA-N Tritium Chemical compound [3H] YZCKVEUIGOORGS-NJFSPNSNSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052753 mercury Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052722 tritium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920004142 LEXAN™ Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004418 Lexan Substances 0.000 description 1
- VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methyl methacrylate Chemical compound COC(=O)C(C)=C VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920005372 Plexiglas® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000001307 helium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052734 helium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N helium atom Chemical compound [He] SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012857 radioactive material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21K—NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21K99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21H—OBTAINING ENERGY FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES; APPLICATIONS OF RADIATION FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; UTILISING COSMIC RADIATION
- G21H3/00—Arrangements for direct conversion of radiation energy from radioactive sources into forms of energy other than electric energy, e.g. into light or mechanic energy
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J65/00—Lamps without any electrode inside the vessel; Lamps with at least one main electrode outside the vessel
- H01J65/08—Lamps in which a screen or coating is excited to luminesce by radioactive material located inside the vessel
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
Abstract
TAMPER-RESISTANT FIXTURE FOR
SELF-LUMINOUS RADIOACTIVE LIGHT
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A tamper-resistant fixture encloses a self-luminous radioactive light in order to prevent removal of the light. The fixture is secured to a mounting surface using tamper-resistant screws and anchors and allows the light to illuminate the immediate surroundings to mark an exit route without the necessity of power.
SPECS/SAF1248.01
SELF-LUMINOUS RADIOACTIVE LIGHT
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A tamper-resistant fixture encloses a self-luminous radioactive light in order to prevent removal of the light. The fixture is secured to a mounting surface using tamper-resistant screws and anchors and allows the light to illuminate the immediate surroundings to mark an exit route without the necessity of power.
SPECS/SAF1248.01
Description
207~04~
TAMPER-RESISTANT FIXTURE FOR
SELF-LUMINOUS RADIOACTIVE LIGHT
INTRODUCTION
This invention relates to a lighting fixture and, more particularly, to a lighting fixture which restricts access to a self-luminous radioactive light which is contained within the fixture which light is used to mark an exit route for evacuation purposes under emergency egress or blackout conditions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of self-luminous radioactive lights for emergency purposes when external power is not available is known. One company, for example, Safety Light Corporation t of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, manufactures exit and other emergency signs using such radioactive lights.
A self-luminous radioactive light is similar in some respects to conventional low pressure gas discharge fluorescent lights. A low pressure gas discharge light is created by coating the inside surface of a long glass tube with phosphors and injecting inert argon gas and a drop of mercury. An electrode is placed at each end and the tube is sealed. In operation, a current is applied to the electrodes so that the temperature of the electrode increases and so emits ions. A potential is applied between the two electrodes and the resulting electric field causes the emitted ions to drift through the tube.
The ions strike and excite atoms of argon gas which in turn excite atoms of mercury. When the excited mercury atoms fall back to their unexcited valence state, photons are emitted which strike the inside surface of the tube
TAMPER-RESISTANT FIXTURE FOR
SELF-LUMINOUS RADIOACTIVE LIGHT
INTRODUCTION
This invention relates to a lighting fixture and, more particularly, to a lighting fixture which restricts access to a self-luminous radioactive light which is contained within the fixture which light is used to mark an exit route for evacuation purposes under emergency egress or blackout conditions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of self-luminous radioactive lights for emergency purposes when external power is not available is known. One company, for example, Safety Light Corporation t of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, manufactures exit and other emergency signs using such radioactive lights.
A self-luminous radioactive light is similar in some respects to conventional low pressure gas discharge fluorescent lights. A low pressure gas discharge light is created by coating the inside surface of a long glass tube with phosphors and injecting inert argon gas and a drop of mercury. An electrode is placed at each end and the tube is sealed. In operation, a current is applied to the electrodes so that the temperature of the electrode increases and so emits ions. A potential is applied between the two electrodes and the resulting electric field causes the emitted ions to drift through the tube.
The ions strike and excite atoms of argon gas which in turn excite atoms of mercury. When the excited mercury atoms fall back to their unexcited valence state, photons are emitted which strike the inside surface of the tube
2~0~
and excite phosphors. The phosphors radiate light out of the glass tube.
In comparison, a self-luminous radioactive light is produced by coating the inside surface of a glass tube with phosphors and injecting a radioactive gas into the tube before the tube is sealed. As the radioactive gas decays, particles are emitted which strike and excite the phosphors on the inside of the glass tube. In turn, the phosphors radiate light out of the glass tube.
A preferred radioactive gas is tritium (a hydrogen isotope with two neutrons) which emits low energy beta radiation. Tritium decays to form helium.
Self-luminous radioactive lights have been found to be particularly useful in emergency lighting applications where external power may be unavailable.
Because they function independently of electricity and have lives typically as long as ten (10) to twenty (20) years, said lights are an inexpensive and dependable source of light in emergency situations. However, self-luminous radioactive lights produce relatively small amounts of light and they are typically used as illumination for warning and directional signs.
An emerging use is to place such lights at low heights along corridors to mark a pathway much in the way that reflectors are used to mark highway lanes at night.
However, such installations can attract unwanted interest and vandalism. Because the light is part of an emergency system which must be continuously available and because it is manufactured with radioactive material, it is important to prevent the removal of such lights as far as possible.
207~4 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invent:ion, there is provided a tamper-resistant fixture for a self-luminous radioactive light operable to be affixed to a surface, said fixture comprising a rearwardly located panel, means for attaching said self-luminous radioactive light to said rearwardly located panel, a plurality of side panels attached to said rearwardly located panel about its perimeter, a forwardly located panel attached to said side panels operable to enclose said self-luminous radioactive light, and tamper-resistant means to attach said front panel to said surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with the use of drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front view of the fixture according to the invention in its flush-mount configuration;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 taken along II-II of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic front view of the fixture according to the invention in its surface-mount configuration; and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 3 taken along IV-IV of Figure 3.
2 ~ 4 DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, a tamper-resistant fixture for a self-lum:inous radioactive light according to the invention is generally illustrated at 10 in Figures 1 and 2. This flush-mount fixture 10 comprises a rear panel 11, a plurality of side panels 12 and a forwardly located front panel 13. A strip of transparent, high contact double face tape 17 is affixed to the inside surface of rear panel 11. Screws 14 extend through holes in a self-luminous radioactive light 20 and through rear panel 11. Tamper-resistant screws 15 extend through front panel 13. It is envisioned that the tamper-resistant aspect of screws 15 will include heads requiring non-standard screwdrivers. Anchors 16 are provided forsecuring the tamper-resistant screws 15.
A self-luminous radioactive light is illustrated at 20. The light 20 is mounted within the fixture 10 which is then mounted to a first surface 21. A
longitudinal hole 22 is provided such that fixture 10 may be mounted flush with surface 21.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the surface-mount configuration of the invention is generally illustrated at 30. The surface-mount fixture 30 includes the flush-mount fixture 10 and a surface-mount adaptor 31 which includes a hole 32 therein. The surface-mount fixture 30 includes second anchors 33 in place of first anchors 16 as used with the flush-mount embodiment earlier described.
The fixture 30 is mounted to a second surface 23.
2 0 ~
OPERATION
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the self-luminous radioactive light 20 is initially positioned in the flush-mount fixture 10. The self-luminous radioactive light 20 is attached to the rear panel 11 using high contact double face clear tape strip 17 and mounting screws 14. Rear panel 11 is made of transparent plexiglass in order that the radioactive warning label and serial number on the back of radioactive light 20 may be seen. Side panels 12 are arranged around and attached to the perimeter of rear panel 11 such that a closed fixture in the form of a box is made. The side panels 12 and the rear panel 11 are chemically bonded together, conveniently by a solvent weld. Side panels 12 are made opaque and reflective to better direct and reflect light outward.
The front panel 13 is solvent welded to the side panels 12 so as to enclose the self-luminous radioactive light 20. Front panel 20 is made of a transparent high impact, high density polycarbonate material, an example of which is known as LEXAN (Trademark) to allow the light from the self-luminous radioactive light 20 to cast forward. It has been found that a 3/16 inch thickness for 25 front panel 20 is of satisfactory strength.
Flush-mount fixture 10 is attached to first surface 21 by inserting the fixture 10 into hole 22, rear panel 11 first, until front panel 13 abuts the top of 30 surface 21. Tamper-resistant screws 15 and first anchors 16 are used to secure the front panel 13 to the first surface 21 in a flush mounted or recessed manner.
With reference now to Figures 3 and 4, the surface-mount fixture 30 is attached to a second flat and continuous surface 23 by inserting the fixture 10, rear - 6 - 2070~4~
panel 11 first, into longitlldinal hole 32 in surface-mount adaptor 31 which is, in turn placed flush against the second surface 23. Tamper-resistant screws 15 and second anchors 33 are then used to secure fixture 10 to the surface-mount adaptor 31 in a flush mounted or recessed manner and the surface-mount adaptor 31 to the second surface 23 in a surface mounted manner.
While a specific embodiment of the tamper-resistant fixture according to the invention has been described, many modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and, accordingly, the description should be considered as illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting its scope as defined in accordance with the accompanying claims.
and excite phosphors. The phosphors radiate light out of the glass tube.
In comparison, a self-luminous radioactive light is produced by coating the inside surface of a glass tube with phosphors and injecting a radioactive gas into the tube before the tube is sealed. As the radioactive gas decays, particles are emitted which strike and excite the phosphors on the inside of the glass tube. In turn, the phosphors radiate light out of the glass tube.
A preferred radioactive gas is tritium (a hydrogen isotope with two neutrons) which emits low energy beta radiation. Tritium decays to form helium.
Self-luminous radioactive lights have been found to be particularly useful in emergency lighting applications where external power may be unavailable.
Because they function independently of electricity and have lives typically as long as ten (10) to twenty (20) years, said lights are an inexpensive and dependable source of light in emergency situations. However, self-luminous radioactive lights produce relatively small amounts of light and they are typically used as illumination for warning and directional signs.
An emerging use is to place such lights at low heights along corridors to mark a pathway much in the way that reflectors are used to mark highway lanes at night.
However, such installations can attract unwanted interest and vandalism. Because the light is part of an emergency system which must be continuously available and because it is manufactured with radioactive material, it is important to prevent the removal of such lights as far as possible.
207~4 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invent:ion, there is provided a tamper-resistant fixture for a self-luminous radioactive light operable to be affixed to a surface, said fixture comprising a rearwardly located panel, means for attaching said self-luminous radioactive light to said rearwardly located panel, a plurality of side panels attached to said rearwardly located panel about its perimeter, a forwardly located panel attached to said side panels operable to enclose said self-luminous radioactive light, and tamper-resistant means to attach said front panel to said surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with the use of drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front view of the fixture according to the invention in its flush-mount configuration;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 taken along II-II of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic front view of the fixture according to the invention in its surface-mount configuration; and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 3 taken along IV-IV of Figure 3.
2 ~ 4 DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, a tamper-resistant fixture for a self-lum:inous radioactive light according to the invention is generally illustrated at 10 in Figures 1 and 2. This flush-mount fixture 10 comprises a rear panel 11, a plurality of side panels 12 and a forwardly located front panel 13. A strip of transparent, high contact double face tape 17 is affixed to the inside surface of rear panel 11. Screws 14 extend through holes in a self-luminous radioactive light 20 and through rear panel 11. Tamper-resistant screws 15 extend through front panel 13. It is envisioned that the tamper-resistant aspect of screws 15 will include heads requiring non-standard screwdrivers. Anchors 16 are provided forsecuring the tamper-resistant screws 15.
A self-luminous radioactive light is illustrated at 20. The light 20 is mounted within the fixture 10 which is then mounted to a first surface 21. A
longitudinal hole 22 is provided such that fixture 10 may be mounted flush with surface 21.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the surface-mount configuration of the invention is generally illustrated at 30. The surface-mount fixture 30 includes the flush-mount fixture 10 and a surface-mount adaptor 31 which includes a hole 32 therein. The surface-mount fixture 30 includes second anchors 33 in place of first anchors 16 as used with the flush-mount embodiment earlier described.
The fixture 30 is mounted to a second surface 23.
2 0 ~
OPERATION
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the self-luminous radioactive light 20 is initially positioned in the flush-mount fixture 10. The self-luminous radioactive light 20 is attached to the rear panel 11 using high contact double face clear tape strip 17 and mounting screws 14. Rear panel 11 is made of transparent plexiglass in order that the radioactive warning label and serial number on the back of radioactive light 20 may be seen. Side panels 12 are arranged around and attached to the perimeter of rear panel 11 such that a closed fixture in the form of a box is made. The side panels 12 and the rear panel 11 are chemically bonded together, conveniently by a solvent weld. Side panels 12 are made opaque and reflective to better direct and reflect light outward.
The front panel 13 is solvent welded to the side panels 12 so as to enclose the self-luminous radioactive light 20. Front panel 20 is made of a transparent high impact, high density polycarbonate material, an example of which is known as LEXAN (Trademark) to allow the light from the self-luminous radioactive light 20 to cast forward. It has been found that a 3/16 inch thickness for 25 front panel 20 is of satisfactory strength.
Flush-mount fixture 10 is attached to first surface 21 by inserting the fixture 10 into hole 22, rear panel 11 first, until front panel 13 abuts the top of 30 surface 21. Tamper-resistant screws 15 and first anchors 16 are used to secure the front panel 13 to the first surface 21 in a flush mounted or recessed manner.
With reference now to Figures 3 and 4, the surface-mount fixture 30 is attached to a second flat and continuous surface 23 by inserting the fixture 10, rear - 6 - 2070~4~
panel 11 first, into longitlldinal hole 32 in surface-mount adaptor 31 which is, in turn placed flush against the second surface 23. Tamper-resistant screws 15 and second anchors 33 are then used to secure fixture 10 to the surface-mount adaptor 31 in a flush mounted or recessed manner and the surface-mount adaptor 31 to the second surface 23 in a surface mounted manner.
While a specific embodiment of the tamper-resistant fixture according to the invention has been described, many modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and, accordingly, the description should be considered as illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting its scope as defined in accordance with the accompanying claims.
Claims (7)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A tamper-resistant fixture for a self-luminous radioactive light operable to be affixed to a surface, said fixture comprising a rearwardly located panel, means for attaching said self-luminous radioactive light to said rearwardly located panel, a plurality of side panels attached to said rearwardly located panel about its perimeter, a forwardly located panel attached to said side panels operable to enclose said self-luminous radioactive light, and tamper-resistant means to attach said front panel to said surface.
2. A fixture as in claim 1 wherein said front panel is transparent.
3. A fixture as in claim 2 wherein said front panel is impact-resistant.
4. A fixture as in claim 3 wherein said front panel is non-breakable.
5. A fixture as in claim 2 wherein said rear panel is transparent.
6. A fixture as in claim 2 wherein the inside surfaces of said side panels are reflective.
7. A fixture as in claim 2 wherein said tamper-resistant means are tamper-resistant screws and anchors.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002070044A CA2070044A1 (en) | 1992-05-29 | 1992-05-29 | Tamper-resistant fixture for self-luminous radioactive light |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002070044A CA2070044A1 (en) | 1992-05-29 | 1992-05-29 | Tamper-resistant fixture for self-luminous radioactive light |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2070044A1 true CA2070044A1 (en) | 1993-11-30 |
Family
ID=4149937
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002070044A Abandoned CA2070044A1 (en) | 1992-05-29 | 1992-05-29 | Tamper-resistant fixture for self-luminous radioactive light |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2070044A1 (en) |
-
1992
- 1992-05-29 CA CA002070044A patent/CA2070044A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20000529 |