GB2362169A - Rail comprising direction indicator - Google Patents

Rail comprising direction indicator Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2362169A
GB2362169A GB0011254A GB0011254A GB2362169A GB 2362169 A GB2362169 A GB 2362169A GB 0011254 A GB0011254 A GB 0011254A GB 0011254 A GB0011254 A GB 0011254A GB 2362169 A GB2362169 A GB 2362169A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
wall
rail
rate
strip
wall rail
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB0011254A
Other versions
GB0011254D0 (en
GB2362169B (en
Inventor
Michael Charles Phillips
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0011254A priority Critical patent/GB2362169B/en
Publication of GB0011254D0 publication Critical patent/GB0011254D0/en
Publication of GB2362169A publication Critical patent/GB2362169A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2362169B publication Critical patent/GB2362169B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B7/00—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00
    • G08B7/06—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00 using electric transmission, e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
    • G08B7/066—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00 using electric transmission, e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
    • E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
    • E04F11/1863—Built-in aids for ascending or descending stairs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F19/00—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
    • G09F19/22—Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated

Abstract

A wall rail comprises an elongate strip for fitting along a wall and having successive triangular section surface formations 15 therealong, the slope of these in one direction being greater than the slope in the other direction, so that a person is able to be guided in a particular direction, e.g. toward an exit, purely by sense of touch. In another embodiment, (Fig. 5, not shown), the rail is a handrail standing clear of the wall.

Description

2362169 Wall Rail This invention relates to a rail for fitting to walls in
buildings or other structures.
In the event of a f ire or other emergency in a building or other structure, it is often difficult for persons to quickly find their way to the nearest emergency exit, especially if the air is filled with smoke or the person is partially sighted.
I have now devised a wall rail which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.
In accordance with this invention, there is provided a wall rail comprising an elongate strip for fitting along a wall, the strip comprising a plurality of successive surface formations disposed along the length thereof, wherein the rate at which each formation increases in depth along the strip between first and second ends thereof is different from the rate at which each formation decreases in depth, with the rate of increase being less than the rate of decrease.
The difference in the rate of change of depth of the formations can be felt by a person as they run their hand along the length of the strip in opposite directions. Thus, it will be appreciated that the formations provide a directional indication purely by the sense of touch.
In use, the rail can be aligned on a wall, end-to-end with other such rails to guide persons by the sense of touch towards an exit or other destination.
Preferably the rate of depth increase is substantially less than the rate of decrease, so that it is much easier for persons to run their hands from said first end of the rail to the second end, rather than vice-versa. I have found that a person will intuitively travel in a direction in which the rate of increase is less than the rate of decrease. Accordingly the rails can be suitably disposed so that a person intuitively 2 travels towards an exit in an emergency.
Preferably each formation is identical in shape.
Preferably, each formation is disposed on a straight line which extends axially of the strip.
Preferably the formations are equally spaced.
Preferably, each formation is triangular in section.
Preferably each rail comprises complementary engaging means at its opposite ends for engaging the rail end-to-end with other such rails.
In one embodiment, the rail comprises mounting means for mounting the strip away from the wall so that it can be used as a handrail.
In an alternative embodiment, the rail comprises mounting means for mounting the strip against the wall, for example to also act as protective barrier for the wall.
Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of wall rail in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rail of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of a wall fitted with the wall rail of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is an alternative embodiment of wall rail in accordance with this invention.
Referring to Figures 1-3 of the drawings, there is shown a rail for fitting to a wall comprising an elongate strip 10 of moulded plastics having a flat rear surface for fitting against a wall or an intermediate backing member 11 using screws 12.
The front surface of the rail comprises longitudinally- 3 extending flat side portions 13 and a longitudinal ly- extending serrated medial portion 14 having a plurality of equally spaced identical serrations 15 disposed at regular intervals along its length.
Each serration 15 is triangular in section with one face thereof lying perpendicular to the front plane of the rail and another face thereof being inclined at an angle of about to the longitudinal axis of the rail.
In the embodiment shown the outer ends of the serrations 15 lie in substantially the same plane as the side portions 13 of the rail, so that rail can act as a wall guard, although this is not essential.
Referring to Figure 4, in use a plurality of rails are mounted endto-end along a wall with the serrations 15 thereof facing in the same direction.
The rail may be arranged to lead persons to the nearest exit in the event of an emergency, in which case the rails are preferably aligned so that the perpendicular face of the serrations are directed towards the exit.
It will be appreciated that it is easier for a person to run their hand in the direction in which the perpendicular face of the serrations forms the trailing edge and thus a person will intuitively be guided towards the exit.
Referring to Figure 5, of the drawings, in an alternative embodiment the rail comprises a conventional handrail mounted away from the wall by brackets 20. The upper surface of the handrail is serrated in a similar manner to the rail of Figures 1-4.
It will be appreciated that a rail in accordance with 3 0 this invention provides an extremely simple yet ef f ective means for indicating the direction to a destination purely by means of the sense of touch.
4

Claims (10)

  1. Claims
    A wall rail comprising an elongate strip for fitting along a wall, the strip comprising a plurality of successive surface formations disposed along the length thereof, wherein the rate at which each formation increases in depth along the strip between first and second ends thereof is different from the rate at which each formation decreases in depth, with the rate of increase being less than the rate of decrease
  2. 2. A wall rail as claimed in claim 1, in which the rate 10 of depth increase is substantially less than the rate of decrease.
  3. 3. A wall rail as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which each formation is identical in shape.
  4. 4. A wall rail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which is each formation is disposed on a straight line which extends axially of the strip.
  5. 5. A wall rail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the formations are equally spaced
  6. 6. A wall rail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which 20 each formation is triangular in section
  7. 7. A wall rail as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising complementary engaging means at its opposite ends.
  8. 8. A wall rail as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising mounting means for mounting the strip away from the 25 wall.
  9. 9. A wall rail as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, comprising means for mounting the strip against the wall.
  10. 10. A wall rail substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
GB0011254A 2000-05-10 2000-05-10 Wall rail Expired - Fee Related GB2362169B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0011254A GB2362169B (en) 2000-05-10 2000-05-10 Wall rail

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0011254A GB2362169B (en) 2000-05-10 2000-05-10 Wall rail

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0011254D0 GB0011254D0 (en) 2000-06-28
GB2362169A true GB2362169A (en) 2001-11-14
GB2362169B GB2362169B (en) 2002-05-22

Family

ID=9891313

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0011254A Expired - Fee Related GB2362169B (en) 2000-05-10 2000-05-10 Wall rail

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2362169B (en)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US259544A (en) * 1882-06-13 Means for facilitating speedy exit from buildings in case of fire or alarm
US3408025A (en) * 1967-01-03 1968-10-29 Burt L. Davis Emergency evacuation system
GB2224154A (en) * 1988-11-30 1990-04-25 Edward Frank Keen An escape guidance aid from enclosed spaces in an emergency situation
WO1991016513A1 (en) * 1990-04-17 1991-10-31 Torild Haraldsen Hand-rail for use in ships, buildings, etc.
GB2263008A (en) * 1991-12-31 1993-07-07 Derek Anthony Jones Escape route guidance system
US5612665A (en) * 1992-01-02 1997-03-18 Gerhardsen; Arne Escape route indication system
US5636479A (en) * 1992-12-14 1997-06-10 Haraldsen; Torild Hand-rail for use in ships, buildings

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US259544A (en) * 1882-06-13 Means for facilitating speedy exit from buildings in case of fire or alarm
US3408025A (en) * 1967-01-03 1968-10-29 Burt L. Davis Emergency evacuation system
GB2224154A (en) * 1988-11-30 1990-04-25 Edward Frank Keen An escape guidance aid from enclosed spaces in an emergency situation
WO1991016513A1 (en) * 1990-04-17 1991-10-31 Torild Haraldsen Hand-rail for use in ships, buildings, etc.
GB2263008A (en) * 1991-12-31 1993-07-07 Derek Anthony Jones Escape route guidance system
US5612665A (en) * 1992-01-02 1997-03-18 Gerhardsen; Arne Escape route indication system
US5636479A (en) * 1992-12-14 1997-06-10 Haraldsen; Torild Hand-rail for use in ships, buildings

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0011254D0 (en) 2000-06-28
GB2362169B (en) 2002-05-22

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20130510