GB2328064A - Illuminating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for directing people seeking to leave a building to one or more exits from that building comprises a wall mounted member 1 formed with a generally linear lengthwise extending channel 3 in which is positioned one or more strips of photoluminescent material 4 masked by one or more strips 5 of non-luminescent material in which are formed a linear series of spaced holes 6 through which discrete areas of the photosensitive strip are visible. In darkened conditions, the visible areas of photoluminescent strip define a path for directing people to an exit or exits of the building. The wall mounted members may comprise such items as skirting boards, dado rails, hand rails, architraving, door frames and window frames. The masking strip may take the form of an apertured metallic grill (Figure 4). The apparatus may include a stencil to form an exit sign.

Description

Illuminating Apparatus This invention relates to illuminated apparatus and more especially to illuminated signs and to apparatus for directing people within a badly lit building to an exit in the event of, for example, a fire within that building.

In the event of a fire within a building such as a hotel or office block, corridors and other areas through which residents need to pass to fire exits can quickly become filled with smoke thereby hindering the efforts of residents to reach safety. Should a fire happen at night additional hazards can arise because of damage to mains electricity leading to all lighting being extinguished. Many public buildings have auxiliary power sources; however in certain fire conditions lighting to public areas such as corridors can rapidly be lost.

Photo luminescent sheets or strips which glow in the dark are used on, for example, floor or road surfaces in badly lit areas to direct people or traffic. Photoluminescent materials effectively store light during daylight hours and release this light as a luminous glow in the dark. These strips or sheets are, however, unsightly and are unlikely to be acceptable for use in buildings where aesthetic appearance is deemed to be important.

One object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for directing people to one or more safety exits of a building in the event of lighting failures caused, for example, by a fire.

Another object is to provide signs, particularly those designating safety exits, which are visually apparent in the event of lighting failure caused by, for example, a fire.

According to the present invention in one aspect, there is provided apparatus in which is positioned one or more strips of photoluminescent material whose surface(s) is at least partially visible in the dark.

According to the present invention in another aspect, there is provided apparatus for directing people seeking to leave a building to one or more exits from that building, the apparatus comprising a wall mounted member formed with a generally linear lengthwise extending channel in which is positioned one or more strips of photoluminescent material masked by one or more strips of non-luminescent material in which are formed a linear series of spaced holes through which discrete areas of the photosensitive strip are visible, whereby in darkened conditions the visible areas of photoluminescent strip defining a path for directing people to an exit or exits of the building.

The wall mounted members may comprise such items as skirting boards, dado rails, hand rails, architraving, door frames and window frames.

In a further aspect, there is provided a wall-mounted sign which includes one or more strips of photoluminescent material which are partially masked to leave areas visible to the eye to enable the sign to be identified during times of darkness.

The sign may comprise a sign designating an exit from a building. The masking to the photo luminescent material may be such as to leave visible areas of the photoluminescent strip(s) to define the word "EXIT" or equivalent wording.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a skirting board in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a section taken through the skirting board shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates two different masks for use with the skirting board shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a hand rail in accordance with the invention.

The apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a wooden or MDF skirting board 1 secured to a wall of, for example, a corridor of a building such as a hotel. The skirting board 1 is formed with a central channel 3 in which is secured by glue, nails, pins or other conventional means a strip 4 of photoluminescent material. As mentioned previously photoluminescent material is a material which effectively stores light when lit (e.g. during hours of daylight) and glows in darkened conditions for a period of time, conventionally up to four hours.

By itself the strip 5 is considered by many to be unsightly and would therefore detract from the aesthetic appeal of the decor of the corridor.

There is therefore a resistance to the use of such strips in hotels and similar environments.

In the present invention the strip 4 is masked by an overlying masking strip 5 having a more aesthetically appealing appearance (e.g. one produced from wood or wood veneer) formed with a linear series of spaced holes 6 through which light from the strip 4 can be seen when the corridor is unlit.

The thickness of the masking strip 5 is however sufficient to cause the photoluminescent strip 4 not to be seen other than by a careful inspection of the skirting board. To a casual observer therefore during occasions when the corridor is lit the skirting board will be seen to have a conventional appearance.

The holes 6 of the masking strip 5 may take a variety of shapes. Two are illustrated in Figure 3. In one, the holes are generally rectangular or ovoid; in the other, they define arrows which point to the nearest fire exit.

The rail illustrated in Figure 4 similarly includes a longitudinal channel 8 in which is positioned a strip 9 of photoluminescent material, the strip being covered with a masking strip 10 in the form of an apertured metallic grille 11 through which light from the photoluminescent strip can pass when the corridor is unlit.

It will be appreciated that the grille 11 represents an alternative masking strip to those shown in Figure 3, any one being usable for either application.

Skirting boards and hand rails are merely examples of wall mounted apparatus in accordance with the invention. Other products include architraves, door and window frames and wall mounted signs.

An exemplary exit sign in accordance with the invention includes a timber board and one or more strips of photoluminescent material positioned below a stencilled mask. The mask is cut to leave visible areas of the strips which define the word "EXIT".

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. Apparatus in which is positioned one or more strips of photoluminescent material whose surface(s) is at least partially visible in the dark.

2. Apparatus for directing people seeking to leave a building to one or more exits from that building, the apparatus comprising a wall mounted member formed with a generally linear lengthwise extending channel in which is positioned one or more strips of photoluminescent material masked by one or more strips of non-luminescent material in which are formed a linear series of spaced holes through which discrete areas of the photosensitive strip are visible, whereby in darkened conditions the visible areas of photoluminescent strip defining a path for directing people to an exit or exits of the building.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the wall mounted member is one or more of the following: - a skirting board, a dado rail, a hand rail, architraving, a door frame or a window frame.

4. A wall-mounted sign which includes one or more strips of photoluminescent material which are partially masked to leave areas visible to the eye to enable the sign to be identified during times of darkness.

5. A sign as claimed in claim 4 wherein the masking to the photoluminescent material is such as to leave visible areas of the photoluminescent strip(s) to define the word "EXIT".

6. Apparatus substantially as herein described and as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.