ES2368630B1 - SECURITY SELF-LUMINISCENT SIGNAL. - Google Patents

Abstract

Self-luminescent safety signal, characterized in that it is integrated by a transparent support body (1a) that has the self-luminescent material applied in its back on the side of the wall (1b) that frames the frames symbols (1c) that in each case are characteristic of the concrete signal (1) and a translucent fixing layer (1d) and of the appropriate standardized color; said signal (1) is provided with mounting means not attached to the wall consisting of spacer bushes (3) in the appropriate places that internally receive screws (5) for anchoring plugs (6) to the wall (7), maintaining the luminescent material (1b) and (1c) distanced from the wall (7), visible and protected from the user's side.

Description

Self-luminescent safety signal.

Field of the Invention

This invention concerns a signal of the so-called self-luminescent, which is intended to be seen in the absence of ambient lighting and, therefore, not only fulfills a merely indicative function in places of low illumination (such as inside underground car parks). , dance halls or shows, industrial buildings, ...).

Prior art

The term "luminescence" means that light that is not associated with the existence of high temperatures, but that the emission of radiation in the spectrum of visible light occurs in ambient temperature conditions, even if it is low; That is why it is also known as “cold light”.

The explanation of this phenomenon is in the behavior of electrons in the atomic structure of matter. When a solid material is under the influence of an energy source, such as that of a light radiation of any kind (ambient light, solar radiation, electric lamp), said energy is absorbed by the atomic structure with the result that the electrons jump into a higher energy orbit; when the excitation produced by the energy source ceases, these electrons, by natural tendency, return to their stable orbit releasing the energy they had accumulated.

Depending on the nature of the energy source, this will be called the type of luminescence that results; As an example, radioluminescence (caused by irradiation with α, β, or γ rays), cathodoluminescence (caused by bombardment of a cathode with accelerated electrons), chemiluminescence (caused by chemical reaction), triboluminescence (caused by energy) mechanical), sonoluminescence (caused by sound waves), among others. Special mention should be made of photoluminescence, which is what the present invention refers to. This type of luminescence is caused by an electromagnetic energy source (visible radiation and ultraviolet radiation, for our purposes), such as that which comes from ambient lighting lamps or sunlight. Depending on the duration of the light emission (when the excitation produced by the energy source ceases), luminescence of this type is subdivided into fluorescence, when the light emission ceases almost instantaneously, and phosphorescence, when the light emission persists for an appreciable time.

For the purposes of the present invention, this photoluminescent property of matter is being used in signaling to make signals that, beyond facilitating their vision by the public concerned in normal circumstances of their activity, are of special relevance as safety elements in case emergency situations, to facilitate evictions and escapes in the fastest, most orderly and, in short, the safest way.

In particular, the existence of signals that have the photo-luminescent property of phosphorescence type is known, although with quite discrete yields that are very critical in emergency situations (evacuation of underground car parks, large commercial surfaces, industrial plants, etc.) ; Thus, the average currently stands at a self-luminescence value of 15 mini-candles at 10 minutes after ceasing the light excitation, and 3 mini-candles at 60 minutes of said cessation.

As the basis of this invention, two main reasons have been found that are responsible for such low yields. On the one hand, that the signals are painted directly on the wall or floor or made on metal plates or other opaque supports that are fixed by direct attachment to the wall or floor. In this regard it should be noted that until now the occasional use of signals made on glass has a mere aesthetic functionality that is not linked to the phenomenon of self-luminescence and is based on the bonding of a self-adhesive sheet that incorporates the corresponding symbology.

Explanation of the invention and Advantages

In the face of such a state of affairs, the present invention presents a self-luminescent safety signal that offers a particular constitution in which the support body is a transparent or translucent plate made of glass, methacrylate, polycarbonate, or other transparent or translucent material, said transparent or translucent support body has on its back applied the self-luminescent material in the form of a frame adjusted or not to the contour thereof and that frames the symbols that in each case are characteristic of the signal in question, whose frame and symbols self-luminescent, once applied on the transparent or translucent plate, receive dorsally, along with it, a fixative layer also translucent and of the normalized color according to the type of signal (danger, informative, ...), and whose transparent support body or translucent is provided with mounting means not attached to the wall, which consist of spacer bushes that are n arranged in the corners or other appropriate places of the transparent or translucent support body and internally receiving screws for wall anchoring plugs.

According to this recommended constitution, the self-luminescent material (often an adhesive vinyl sheet) receives the light energy that charges it both through the transparent or translucent front of the plate and through the colored and translucent paint layer applied as a fixative and as a carrier of the normalized background color (green, red, ...) that the signal must have according to its mission; that is, it is exposed to the energy source both frontally and dorsally, since the signal is mounted separately from the wall allowing the lighting to also access through the gap between them; In other words, this separation of the signal from the wall allows the energy supply of the signal to be greater, which results in a higher performance that translates into 10 minutes after the light excitation ceases (blackout of light ambient) there is a lighting intensity of between 80 and 100 mini-candles (currently the average is 15), and after 60 minutes there are 6 to 8 mini-candles (compared to the 3 mini-candles of the solutions currently known). In this respect, the separate mounting of the wall, by means of the separating bushes facilitates the assembly of the signal, since in case of having the need to place the signal on a section of elbow-shaped wall, the different lengths of the separating bushing , they offer the possibility of placing the cantilevered signal, said signal being visible from both sides of the elbow wall. The length of the separating bushes will be variable, adapting it to the transparency of the support and the luminescence highlighting the signal and the finish of the wall on which the signal is installed.

Additionally, this possibility of assembly makes the signal more visible in normal ambient light conditions, and on the other hand it offers great possibilities in the aesthetic plane in terms of easy accommodation to the decoration of the environment, where the signal can be seen clearly without ceasing to see the decoration of the wall, which is of great interest for architectural and decorative effects in unique buildings, for example.

On the other hand, it is worth mentioning the fact that a glass, methacrylate support is used in de fi nitely a translucent or transparent material since said support protects the self-luminescent paint from external agents such as dust and makes cleaning possible, thus avoiding cleaning. degradation of the light properties of the paint extending the use of the signal in optimal conditions.

Another peculiarity of the invention is that said transparent or translucent plate already constituted as a self-luminescent signal is mounted as a front cover or complementary to a light source such as a conventional emergency light.

Another optional feature of the invention is that the contour of the signal has a steel frame incorporated, which fulfills the dual function, on the one hand of embellishing, and on the other hand, of protecting against shocks.

Drawings and References

To better understand the nature of the invention, the attached drawings show an industrial embodiment that is merely illustrative and not limiting in nature.

Figure 1 is a perspective of the signal showing an explosion in its relative position of the various mounting components of the invention. In this figure, an orthogonal projection detail is incorporated which, also in an exploded form, shows said relative position of the components of the advocated signal.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing in its relative position the different components in order of application on the transparent support body of the signal of the invention.

Figure 3 is the front view of the signal in Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows another sign according to the invention hanging from the ceiling (10).

The following references are indicated in these figures:

1.-Signal.

1st-Transparent support body.

1b.-Self-luminescent frame.

1c.-Self-luminescent symbols.

1d.-Translucent colored fixing layer.

1e.-Through hole of the transparent support body (1a).

3.-Spacer bushing.

4.-Washer.

5.-Screw.

6.-Anchor block.

7.-Wall.

8.-Roof.

9.-Protective frame.

Exhibition of a preferred embodiment

With regard to the drawings and references listed above, a preferred embodiment of the object of the invention is illustrated in the attached drawings, which concerns a safety signal of the self-luminescent type which, as illustrated in Figure 1, it consists in that the support body (1a) is a transparent or translucent plate made of glass, methacrylate, polycarbonate, or other transparent or translucent material, said transparent or translucent support body (1a) has on its back applied the self-luminescent material in shape of a frame (1b) adjusted or not to the contour of the same and that frames the symbols (1c) that in each case are characteristic of the signal (1) in question, whose frame (1b) and symbols (1c) auto- Luminescent, once applied on the transparent or translucent support body (1a), receive dorsally, together with it, a fixative layer (1d) also translucent and of the standardized color according to the type of signal (1) (danger, informative, ...). Said signal (1) is provided with mounting means not attached to the wall, which consist of spacer bushes (3) that are arranged in the corners or other appropriate places of the transparent or translucent support body (1a) and that receive internally each screws (5) for anchor plugs (6) to the wall (7). The length of the separating bushes (3) will be variable, adapting it to the transparency of the support (1a) and the luminescence highlighting the signal and the finish of the wall (7) on which the signal (1) is installed.

By means of these separating bushings (3) the assembly of the signal (1) is facilitated, since in case of having the need to place the signal (1) in a section of wall (7) in the form of an elbow, the different lengths of the separating bushing (3), offers the possibility of placing the signal (1) in cantilever being said signal (1) visible from both sides of the wall

(7) in elbow.

Figure 2 clearly shows the various components of the invention, as well as their relative order of assembly, making the aforementioned property evident according to which it has a great capacity for absorbing the light energy inherent in ambient lighting, so that, when this is missing, the signal (1) is able to provide a more intense luminosity and for longer, since, if after 60 minutes it is capable of giving more than double the minicandelas that give the signals up to Now known, this means that in a span of 120 minutes it will still give 3o4minicandelas, that is, the same ones that give the known signals in half the time (60 minutes).

According to the invention, an application is possible in which said transparent or translucent support body (1a) already constituted as a self-luminescent signal (1) is mounted as a front cover or complementary to a light source such as a conventional emergency light .

Another particular feature of the invention is that it is intended to offer a protection of the contouring edge of the signal (1), an option according to which the one represented in Figure 3 is made, and which consists in that the contour of the signal (1 ) has a steel frame (9) incorporated.

For purely illustrative purposes of another frequent mode of use, Figure 4 shows an arrangement hung from the ceiling (8), in the same way that we can easily imagine that the signal (1) is held on a mast, as if it were a banner .

Claims (6)

one.

Self-luminescent safety signal, characterized in that it is composed of a transparent support body (1a) that has the self-luminescent material applied in its back on the side of the wall (1b) that frames the frames. symbols (1c) that in each case are characteristic of the concrete signal (1) and a translucent fixing layer (1d) and of the appropriate standardized color; said signal (1) is provided with mounting means not attached to the wall consisting of spacer bushings (3) in the appropriate places that internally receive screws (5) for anchoring plugs (6) to the wall (7), maintaining the luminescent material (1b) and (1c) distanced from the wall (7), visible and protected from the user's side.

2.

Self-luminescent safety signal, according to the first claim characterized in that the length of the separating bushes (3) will be variable, adapting it to the transparency of the support (1a) and the luminescence highlighting the signal and the finish of the wall (7) on which the signal (1) is installed.

3.

Self-luminescent safety signal, according to the first claim characterized in that said transparent or translucent support body (1a) already constituted as a self-luminescent signal (1) is mounted as a front or complementary cover of a light source such as a light conventional emergency

Four.

Self-luminescent safety signal, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the contour of the signal (1) has a protective or decorative frame (9) incorporated.

5.

Self-luminescent safety signal, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided that the transparent support body (1a) be made of glass, methacrylate, polycarbonate or any suitable transparent or translucent material.

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 200901064 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 04/23/2009 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: G09F13 / 20 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

Documents cited Claims Affected

X

EP 0293348 B1 (SEFASTSSON, LARS) 30.11.1988, the whole document. 1-5

TO

DE 19925727 A1 (BERCHTOLD, JOERG) 06.04.2000, the whole document. 1.2

TO

FR 2308155 A1 (AEROSPATIALE) 12.11.1976, the whole document. 1.4

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of completion of report 31.10.2011

Examiner A. Figuera González Page 1/5

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) G09F Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC, WPI, TXTEN  WRITTEN OPINION Date of Completion of Written Opinion: 10.31.2011 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-5 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-5 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published.  WRITTEN OPINION 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

EP 0293348 B1 (SEFASTSSON, LARS) 11/30/1988

D02

DE 19925727 A1 (BERCHTOLD, JOERG) 06.04.2000

D03

FR 2308155 A1 (AEROSPATIALE) 12.11.1976

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement  CLAIM 1 Document D01 is considered to be the closest state of the art document to the object of claim 1. Document D01 describes a phosphorescent device for use in illuminated boxes that indicate, for example, the exit doors for emergency evacuations. See D01, column 1, lines 1 to 12. In one embodiment, a faceplate 5 is formed by three elements (see D01, column 2, line 44 to column 3, line 65):

-

a translucent layer of fiberglass 6 facing the wall

-

two layers of light color 7 and 8 with layer 7 being applied on layer 6 and layer 8 applied on plate 9, being able to be reduced to a single layer of light color

-

a flat plastic plate 9

Thus, the following correspondence can be established between the elements of the invention object of claim 1 and the phosphorescent device described in D01:

-

self-luminous safety signal <-> front plate 5

-

transparent support body that has the self-luminescent material <-> flat plastic plate 9 with a light-colored layer 8 applied on its back on the side of the wall

-

fixative layer (1d) translucent <-> translucent fiberglass layer 6

-

mounting means not attached to the wall that keep the luminescent material distanced from the wall, visible and protected from the user side <-> illuminated box 1 that fulfills the same functions

Therefore, the differences between the object of claim 1 and the phosphorescent device described in document D01 are:

-

in document D01 the light layer occupies the entire surface of the device and the symbols are designed by gluing a plastic tape. See D01, column 3, lines 16 to 22 and 32 to 37.

However, the fact that the signal symbols are drawn in one way or another is a simple obvious design option for the person skilled in the art.

-

In document D01, the wall fixing means that keep the phosphorescent device away from it do not consist of screw, bushings and anchoring plugs.

However, these are well known wall fixing means, as illustrated, for example, in document D02. It is therefore considered that it is a mere obvious design option for the person skilled in the art. In conclusion, independent claim 1 lacks inventive activity in accordance with article 8 of the Patent Law. WRITTEN OPINION  CLAIMS 2, 4 and 5 These claims refer to mere obvious design options for the person skilled in the art. Indeed:

-

The use of spacer bushes that allow a variable distance between an element and the wall to which it is fixed is illustrated, for example, in document D02.

-

The use of a frame is well known but can also be illustrated, for example, by document D03 in which a frame 6 is used (see D03, page 3, lines 7 to 10 and figure 1).

-

The plastic plate 9 of document D01 allows the light to pass through since it is indicated that it is charged both by the light coming from the outside of the box 1 and by the light itself from the fluorescent tube 4.

Thus, claims 2,4 and 5, depending on previous claims that lack inventive activity, in turn lack inventive activity.  CLAIM 3 The embodiment object of claim 3 is that described in document D01. The only difference between the object of claim 3 and the device of document D01 is the different way of drawing the luminous symbols that has already been analyzed in claim 1. Therefore, claim 3, which formally depends on claim 1 lacking inventive activity although it could be considered an independent claim, also lacks inventive activity.