GB2292631A

GB2292631A - Route marking system

Info

Publication number: GB2292631A
Application number: GB9416940A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter David Glasspole
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-08-22
Filing date: 1994-08-22
Publication date: 1996-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 2014-08-22
Also published as: GB2292631B; GB9416940D0

Abstract

A plurality of independently relocatable route markers (1) are arranged in a room (11), such as a hotel room, to indicate a route between two positions in the dark. The positions may be, for example, a bed (13) and a door (20), or in the wings and on the stage of a theatre. The markers (1) are provided with a light which preferably flashes. <IMAGE>

Description

ROUTE MARKING SYSTEM DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a route marking system for indicating a route between a first position and a second position.

Some people find it necessary to rise one or more times during the night in order to make use of the lavatory. This does not normally represent more than an inconvenience.

However, many people are initially disoriented when they wake in a strange bedroom, for example in a hotel, and may not be readily able to determine the route to the bathroom.

This can be particularly distressing if the need is urgent.

Although a bed-side lamp is usually provided in hotels, a disoriented person may not recall its presence.

Furthermore, switching on a bed-side lamp may wake a spouse and result in a deterioration in the harmony of the marital relationship.

It is an aim of the present invention to alleviate this problem.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a route marking system comprising a room and a plurality of independent relocatable route markers arranged to indicate a route from a first position within the room to a second position, wherein each route marker is provided with lighting means to indicate the route in the dark.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of marking a route within a room from a first position to a second position, comprising the step of placing a plurality of independent relocatable route markers on a surface or surfaces in the room so as to indicate a route between the first position and the second position, wherein each route marker is provided with lighting means to indicate the route in the dark.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for performing a method according to the second aspect of the present invention, comprising a plurality of self-contained route markers, each route marker being provided with lighting means whereby a route can be indicated in the dark.

Preferably, each route marker is provided with circuit means to cause its lighting means to flash. Such circuit means may comprises a 555-type integrated circuit. A CMOS integrated circuit of this type is available and its use in the present invention is desirable because of its low power consumption.

Preferably, the lighting means comprises a light emitting diode.

Advantageously, the present invention marks the route between a bed and a door, or a route between the wings and a position on a stage.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a route marker according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a circuit diagram for the route marker of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a typical hotel room with en suite bathroom; and Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a theatre.

Referring to Figure 1, a route marker 1 comprises a box 2 housing its electronic components. The box is 50mm wide, 50mm deep and 20mm high. Thus, a plurality of the route markers can be conveniently carried by a traveller. A light emitting diode (LED) 3 projects through the upper face of the box 2 along with a rocker switch 4. the rocker switch could be replaced by a light sensor and the marker 1 arranged to become active when the ambient light level falls below a threshold.

Referring to Figure 2, the circuit housed by the box 2 (see Figure 1) comprises a battery 5, the switch 4 connected in series with the positive terminal of the battery 5, an oscillator circuit 6 supplied with power from the battery 5 through the switch 4, and the LED 3 coupled to the output of the oscillator circuit 6 via a current limiting resistor 7 and the battery 5 through the switch 4. The oscillator circuit 6 comprises a CMOS 555-type integrated circuit and its associated frequency determining components. The use of these integrated circuits is well known and will not be described again here. Suitable brightness, frequency and duty cycle for the flashing LED 3 can be determined by experiment for each application.

The use of route markers as shown in Figures 1 and 2 will now be described with reference to Figure 3.

A hotel room 10 comprises a sleeping room 11 and an en suite bathroom 12 containing the usual offices. The sleeping room 11 contains a double bed 13, bed-side table 14,15, a wardrobe 16, a dressing table 17 and a chair 18. A door 19 is provided to give access to the hotel room 10 from a corridor (not shown) and a door 20 connects the sleeping room 11 to the bathroom 12.

Before retiring, one of the hotel room's occupants places five route markers 1 on the floor to indicate a safe route between the bed 13 and the bathroom door 20. The rocker switch 4 on each route marker 1 is operated to start its LED 3 flashing as the route marker 1 is placed on the floor.

Should the occupant who placed the route markers 1 wake during the night and need to visit the bathroom, he or she will be guided to the bathroom door 20 by the flashing LEDs 3 on the route markers 1. The route markers 1 of course will also guide the user back to the correct side of the bed.

The present invention has been described with reference to a hotel room. However, it may be used to equal effect in domestic accommodation.

In the above description of a first embodiment, the route markers are place on the floor. However, many people who would find the present invention of use may have difficulty in retrieving the route markers from the floor in the morning due to arthritis or other diseases. Therefore, it is envisaged that the present invention will also be performed by placing the route markers on other convenient horizontal surfaces, for example windowsills or dressing tables.

Referring to Figure 4, the route markers of the present invention may be employed in a theatre 30. The theatre 30 has seats 31 for the audience and a stage 32. Either side of the stage 32 are the wings 33 where performers wait to go on stage. Often a theatre is darkened while the actors take their positions on the stage. Because the theatre is dark, it can be difficult for the actors to find their correct positions. This problem can be solved by using route markers 1 to mark the actors' routes from the wings 33 onto the stage 32.

The dimensions given above for the route markers are not intended to be limiting but merely an example. Likewise, the shape of the route markers is not of critical importance. However, the shape must be such that the route markers will rest in a position where the lighting means is visible.

The present invention has been described with reference to a hotel bedroom and a theatre. However, may other embodiments of the present invention exist. For instance, the markers could be used to indicate the route to tools or switches or to indicate escape routes. Prior art escape route systems make use of fixed lighting elements. However, these are inappropriate for temporary buildings or buildings whose internal structure can be changed.

Claims

1. A route marking system comprising a room and a plurality of independent relocatable route markers arranged to indicate a route from a first position within the room to a second position, wherein each route marker is provided with lighting means to indicate the route in the dark.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein each route marker is provided with circuit means to cause its lighting means to flash.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lighting means comprises a light emitting diode.

4. A system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the room is adapter as sleeping accomodation, the first position is a bed and the second position is a door.

5. A system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the room is an auditorium having a stage, the first position is in the wings and the second position is on the stage.

6. A method of marking a route within a room from a first position to a second position, comprising the step of placing a plurality of independent relocatable route markers on a surface or surfaces in the room so as to indicate a route between the first position and the second position, wherein each route marker is provided with lighting means to indicate the route in the dark.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein each route marker is provided with circuit means to cause its lighting means to flash.

8. A method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the lighting means comprises a light emitting diode.

9. A method according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the room is adapter as sleeping accomodation, the first position is a bed and the second position is a door.

10. A system according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the room is an auditorium having a stage, the first position is in the wings and the second position is on the stage.

11. A kit for performing a method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, comprising a plurality of self-contained route markers, each route marker being provided with lighting means whereby a route can be indicated in the dark.

12. A route marker substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A route marking system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of marking a route substantially as hereinbefore described.