GB2562171A

GB2562171A - An emergency exit sign

Info

Publication number: GB2562171A
Application number: GB1807324.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Noel Mcdonagh Bernard; Owen Stevens Brian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-05-03
Filing date: 2018-05-03
Publication date: 2018-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-03
Also published as: GB201707055D0; GB2569053A; GB2562171B; GB201807324D0; GB201902333D0; GB2569053B

Abstract

An illuminated emergency exit sign for indicating an escape route, e.g. a fire exit, comprises a housing 5 with a first light source 15C, a translucent panel 4 retained by the housing and provided with indicia adapted to be illuminated by the first light source, and a second light source. The first and second light sources are illuminated based on input from a controller so that in a first illuminated state the direction of escape is visible and in a second illuminated state a warning sign 13 is displayed indicating the emergency exit is blocked.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Bernard Noel McDonagh

Keepers Cottage, The Street, Glynde, NR LEWES, East Sussex, BN8 6SX, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

G09F 13/04 (2006.01) G08B 7/06 (2006.01)

G09F 13/18 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

EP 2911141 A1 EP 2889848 A1

EP 1906219 A1 WO 2013/083869 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL G08B, G09F

Other: Online: EPODOC, WPI.

Brian Owen Stevens

Chyngton Road, SEAFORD, East Sussex, BN25 4HL, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Bernard Noel McDonagh Brian Owen Stevens (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

ipconsult

21A Commercial Road, SWANAGE, Dorset, BH19 1DF, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: An emergency exit sign

Abstract Title: Illuminated emergency exit sign with blocked exit route warning (57) An illuminated emergency exit sign for indicating an escape route, e.g. a fire exit, comprises a housing 5 with a first light source 15C, a translucent panel 4 retained by the housing and provided with indicia adapted to be illuminated by the first light source, and a second light source. The first and second light sources are illuminated based on input from a controller so that in a first illuminated state the direction of escape is visible and in a second illuminated state a warning sign 13 is displayed indicating the emergency exit is blocked.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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An Emergency Exit Sign

Field

The present invention relates to emergency exit signs, in particular to emergency exit signs of the type known as blade-style emergency exit signs.

Background

Blade emergency exit signs are made from thin acrylic or glass and hang down from the ceiling with their electronics normally hidden from view within a housing. The housing is typically hidden from view in a false ceiling void. Such signs are normally illuminated by edge lighting light emitting diodes (LEDs) and include on one, or both sides, a printed overlay depicting one or more pictograms such as a running man, a door, an arrow or chevron and/or the word EXIT, for indicating an exit route and/or point of exit from a building for use during an emergency evacuation.

Studies have shown that if emergency exit signs can be made more visible to escaping personnel, for example by way of adding dynamic lighting, during an emergency evacuation, then the perception of these signs can be increased significantly making them more effective.

A new type of signage known as an adaptive dynamic sign can further improve the safety of personnel during an evacuation because this type of signage is able to “adapt” to changes in conditions during an evacuation. In so doing such adaptive signage can show a safe route out of the building for example by pulsing an array of LEDs forming the shape of an arrow behind and within the arrow of the pictogram or by forming a chevron shape behind and within a chevron pictogram in order to indicate a preferred direction of exit. Alternatively where one emergency exit is compromised, adaptive signs can be configured to block an unsafe exit, for example by using a matrix of LEDs forming a red cross which extends across all of the pictograms/words, indicating an unsafe exit route.

Problems have been overcome in these adaptive signs for maintaining mandatory contrast levels of the pictograms with the additional LEDs, by way of a printing process referred to as perforated printing or hatch printing. By using such printing techniques, when the arrow, chevron or cross matrix of LEDs are lit, the graphics can still easily be seen and understood whilst allowing a maximum light output from internal LEDs that define the arrow, chevron or cross arrays.

Prior Art

A detailed disclosure of an example of the aforementioned sign can be found in published International Patent Application WO-A-2014/162131 (McDonagh and Stevens).

Whilst the process of perforated/hatch printing is well-suited to existing exit signs, often in the form of a ‘light-box’, where additional components and LEDs are hidden from view, and enclosed within a relatively spacious housing, perforated/hatch printing of signage is not so well-suited to the type of signs that are thinner and include a blade. Such so-called blade signs have emergency signage presented on a relatively thin acrylic or glass panel/blade which is typically 5mm to 8mm thick and which hangs or is suspended from a ceiling mounted housing.

The housing is provided so as to obscure or enclose control electronics and in order to prevent them from being viewable in normal use as to do so may affect the visibility of the signage. In such cases it is difficult to maintain a sleek, low profile design of the blade as sometimes additional control electronics and/or LEDs were required to be in close contact with the blade surfaces.

Whilst great improvements have been provided by the process of perforated printing in relation to standard “light-box” type signs, the present invention also overcomes the problem associated with incorporating LEDs into blade-style emergency exit signs, which by their nature are thin acrylic or glass emergency exit signs and so the thin style cannot be reproduced if using surface mount glass LEDs.

Current signage is unable to prevent evacuees heading towards emergency exits in any direction other than that shown as the direction on the sign. They therefore can only maintain a static condition, even though indicia, such as an arrow or chevron, may potentially guide evacuees into the path of fire, smoke or even a terrorist threat. Such misdirection can result in inadvertent injury or loss of life or congestion as evacuees who are often in a state of panic are unaware they are heading into a potential hazardous area or are met by stampeding evacuees following a different exit route in an attempt to escape from a hazard.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above identified problems.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an illuminated emergency exit sign in the form of a translucent pane which when retained by a housing receives light from at least one light source in the housing, on a first surface of the pane there is provided one or more indicia which when illuminated indicate(s) a direction or route of escape; and a second light source maintains uniformity of luminance of the direction or route of escape to a viewer when viewing the pane; the first and second light sources are illuminated in dependence upon input signals received from a controller, so that in a first illuminated state the direction or route of escape is visible to the viewer; and in a second illuminated state a warning sign is displayed indicating the emergency exit is compromised, characterised in that the warning sign is illuminated by light from within the housing passing through at least translucent region of the pane.

The invention enables control of emergency signage and allows changes of direction of a sign to indicate a different route or close one which is compromised and so is no longer available as an escape route. By strobing or flashing lights the invention makes the sign more prominent and thereby has been found to prompt movement towards selected exits. Trials of the sign have indicated that the invention is more likely to achieve acceptance by evacuees due to a high acceptance of signage information.

The transparent light-generating panel of the present invention overcomes this problem via the use of a semi rigid translucent substrate consisting of a thin profile which has a desired light distribution pattern with light guides when illuminated by an internal flexible LED circuit.

The invention achieves this result by utilizing a transparent light generating portion which replaces an existing/standard emergency exit sign acrylic/glass graphic panel.

In this way the first light source maintains uniformity of luminance to the indicia which ideally includes pictograms in order to comply with mandatory standards. Optionally at least another segmented light source selectively illuminates the warning sign information in response to the input received from the controller. Ideally the at least one segmented light source comprises a substantially transparent, thin (low profile) pane which is light-generating in consequence of a light source being connected thereto.

Preferably the illuminated translucent pane is provided in the form of a low profile blade/pane with portions removed therefrom. In preferred embodiments edges defining the removed portions are cut, punched, pressed or moulded in order to define a bevelled edge. An advantage of bevelled edges is that they present a relatively larger surface area from which light escapes, thereby enabling the sign to be viewed through a greater range of viewing angles.

The indicia or warning sign may be formed from cutting out portions or segments of the pane or be defined by overlaid images or may be printed on to the surface of the pane.

Advantageously the controller receives an input and causes segmented light emitting regions to illuminate selectively in response to a control signal to one or more light sources, so that relevant information suitable for an emergency exit sign is displayed in accordance with an input signal. Preferably the input signal is generated by a fire alarm panel.

The pane may include a relay or contact interface which connects to one or more control circuits and/or a light connector that connects to one or more lights sources, such as a light pipe or optical fibre; or the pane can be configured to connect directly to a light emitting diode (LED).

Optionally mechanical couplings, such as clips, tabs or lock means are also formed with the pane so as to enable the pane to be fitted quickly and easily to a housing. In an alternative embodiment a pane includes a protocol enabled interface device which adapts the pane so that it can be connected directly to an existing fire alarm loop circuit. Ideally a coupling or connector is also provided along a top or bottom edge of the pane so that panes can be reversed (side to side and top to bottom) in order to match an existing legend or wording on an existing display panel and so that the protocol enabled interface device is presented in a correct orientation in order to connect with existing input connections.

Preferably the input signal is received from an external source, such as a fire alarm panel, an automatic sensor, a wireless transmitter, a digital acoustic device, a mesh networking system, for example a Zig-Bee (RTM) transmitter, a mains power signalling device, an emergency lighting system such as a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI), an evacuation computer modelling software system, an automatic building management system (BMS) and/or a CCTV monitoring device or a manual input.

In some embodiments the pane is provided as a substantially transparent or translucent panel dimensioned and arranged to be positioned on a front facing portion of an existing light-box type housing so as to permit the emergency signage to be viewed therethrough, whilst also providing signage that may be selectively lit in the event that a particular fire escape or exit route is compromised. The transparent or translucent panel is adapted to be switched on in order to indicate to people evacuating a building that the exit should not be used.

Optionally the sign comprises a substantially transparent or translucent second pane is provided on a rear face of a first pane and the second pane is supplied by an independent light source in order to illuminate the both panes so as to be visible by viewers positioned on both sides of the panes. In this configuration a light impervious layer is sandwiched between the two panes in order to isolate light sources supplying light to the first and second panes.

Whether provided as one or more suspended panes or as a panel to be fitted to an existing emergency exit housing, the sign ideally comprises a plurality of substantially transparent or translucent segmented regions The aforesaid transparent or translucent segmented regions define a warning that may take the form of a red cross, “NO EXIT” or “DO NOT EXIT” wording or a logo indicating no entry, such as a white horizontal bar on a red circular background or a “skull and cross bones” logo or a specific message such as “STOP” or “DO NOT PASS”. All of the aforesaid words or symbols are intended to warn viewers not to use a particular exit door or thoroughfare. It will be appreciated that other indicia or symbols or icons, letters or words in other languages or recognisable by relevant cultures may be used.

In some embodiments a receiver enables software updates to be received for upgrades or in order to incorporate additional or new features. A communication device may also be included with control circuitry and is operable to communicate with the Internet of things (IOT) so that, for example automatically reporting fo a low battery or a maintenance can be reported to a control centre for scheduling repair or maintenance.

Increased field view or viewing angle assists in making the sign brighter by providing a flair effect that surrounds an edge of the pane which is visible further over a greater range of viewing angles. Another advantage of this is that energy consumptions is less per candela of light output.

Panes may include lenses or lenticulars formed along edges. Lenses or lenticulars may be moulded in order to increase intensity, range and/or viewing angle and so spread emerging light to improve visibility of signs as well as reduce consumption. Optionally the lenses or lenticulars may be moulded over and encase the LEDs.

Multi-faceted luminance by using angled cuts or inclusions within the body of the pane to enables features to be seen even if lit from different directions thereby increasing visibility or reducing risk if the battery fails

The key is to get a dynamic, adaptive sign that looks like any other sign when it’s not in full operation - creating a dynamic/adaptive blade or box that shows no shadow or ghosting etc

Optionally a light generating source includes a light-generating strip which delivers light to at least one side of the pane. Preferably, the second substantially transparent segmented light-generating panel is positioned towards or at the top of the front face and/or the rear face of the sign.

The pane is ideally formed from a transparent synthetic plastics material which is provided as a rigid sheet. The synthetic plastics material may be flexible and is ideally a transparent thermoplastic which is lightweight and shatter-resistant alternative, such as for example: poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) and includes CRYLUX (RTM), PLEXIGLAS (RTM), ACRYLITE (RTM) LUCITE (RTM) and PERSPEX (RTM). Fire retardant chemicals may be incorporated with the polymer an optionally fire retardant coatings may be provided on external surfaces of the

Preferably, the at least one segmented light source comprises a desired light distribution pattern with light guides when illuminated by an internal flexible LED circuit. Ideally the at least one light source is provided on the removable pane.

The segmented light-generating panel of the present invention is particularly advantageous because it can also be retrofitted to existing emergency exit sign housings by replacing an original pane or blade that forms a front or/and back face of an existing emergency exit sign. Due to its low profile and the substantially transparent nature of the panel, the appearance of the emergency exit sign is substantially unaltered until such time as it is desirable to accentuate information or indicate that an exit route cannot be used. For example one or more pictograms, on the sign are available to be switched to provide alternative information not normally provided, or visible, on existing emergency exit signs.

The present invention provides particular advantages with blade-type emergency exit signs which do not have sufficient internal space to accommodate bulky electronics and lighting apparatus such as traditional LEDs because .

Pictograms may include one or more arrows, chevrons, running men and/or doorways. Preferably the sign comprises segmented first and second faces comprising information and first and second substantially transparent lightgenerating panels, the first transparent light-generating panel for illuminating information provided on the first face and the second transparent light generating panel for illuminating information on the second face.

Preferably, the first and second transparent light-generating panels are for illuminating the same or different information on each of the first and second faces.

Preferably, the first and second transparent light-generating panels are controllable independently to highlight different information on each of the first and second faces. For example, in operation, it will be appreciated that a red cross could be illuminated on one face whilst a green arrow or chevron could be illuminated on an opposing face.

Preferably, the at least one light source forms a cross. Preferably, the cross extends across all information on the sign.

Preferably the sign is suitable for manufacture as a complete fire emergency escape route or exit sign. Preferably the sign is for suitable for retrofitting into existing fire exit housing signs.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dynamic emergency exit sign comprising: at least one pictogram and at least one light source for controllably illuminating the at least one pictograms, the at least one light source is controlled so as to direct evacuees along a preferred route wherein the at least one light source includes a light emitting diode optically coupled to a transparent panel.

According to further aspect of the invention there is provided a system including a plurality of a signs; a controller and sensors adapted to relay information to the controller concerning sectors of a building and the controller is adapted to decommission an emergency exit sign in accordance with one or more preselected or operator defined criteria.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of evacuating a building including the steps of: transmitting data from sensors to a controller and operating the controller to decommission an emergency exit sign in accordance with one or more preselected or operator defined criteria.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows examples of existing fire exit signs;

Figures 2A to 2D show different examples of panes and panels used in existing emergency exit signs;

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of an emergency exit sign according to the present invention;

Figure 4 shows views of an emergency exit sign according to the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a partially disassembled emergency exit sign according to the present invention;

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of an emergency exit sign according to the present invention;

Figure 7 shows diagrammatic views of three systems comprising emergency exit signs according to the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a diagrammatic view of a system comprising an emergency exit sign according to the present invention;

Figure 9 shows a partially cut-away view of an emergency exit sign according to the present invention; and

Figure 10 shows an overall view of an emergency exit sign according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Example embodiments of an illuminated exit panel according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the Figures and in particular with reference to Figures 3 to 8. Figures 1 and 2A to 2D show examples of existing emergency exit signs 200; Figures 3 to 6 show emergency exit signs 11 according to the present invention and Figures 7 and 8 show emergency systems comprising emergency exit signs 11 according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a blade-type emergency exit sign 11 according to the present invention. The sign 11 comprises a pane 10 which is supported by a housing 5. The pane 10 comprises three layers 15A, 15B, 4 which are sandwiched together and defines a substantially transparent segmented light-generating portion 12 which defines a display face of the sign 11. The sign is capable of selectively illuminating pictograms 2 or light distribution patterns in response to an input, for example an input signal received from a fire alarm panel or control system.

The term “substantially transparent” means that at least 75% and ideally at least 85% and preferably at least 95% of light in the visible wavelength delivered to pane 10 is emitted from or through the portion 12.

Of particular relevance to the present invention are blade-type signs 11 shown in Figures 2B and 2C. The majority of the arrows, chevrons or the like components of these signs are static. That is components maintain the same form, message and intensity during an emergency. Furthermore non-photo-luminescent label signs have been shown to be visible for a short period during power outages but do not provide any enhancements during a normal day-time evacuation or where there is no loss of light.

Most importantly the existing signs, shown in Figures 1 and 2, show the direction of the nearest exit. However, they do not enable a change of direction of an arrow or indicia should the circumstances change during an emergency evacuation. For example, a fire might start in one part of a building and spread to compromise exit routes from a previously safe part.

An example of a segmented transparent light-generating portion 12 is a flexible resin display, which uses embedded low power, low profile LEDs 14. The flexible display can be traditionally printed to provide signage type information, illuminated in segments by the LEDs 14.

The sign 11 shown in Figure 3 comprises a pane 10 with three layers which may be separately illuminated in response to inputs. A first central layer 4 has pictograms 2 formed thereon, and transparent outer second and third layers 15A and 15B comprise customised light illumination patterns 13 which may be cut outs with bevelled edges for light emitted by the housing to reflect from or refract through the boundaries of or which may be or comprise embedded LEDs. The light illumination patterns 13 of the outer layers 15A, 15B shown in Figure 3 each comprise an arrow shaped light illumination pattern 13 corresponding to an arrow shaped pictogram on the central panel 4 and a cross shaped light illumination pattern 13 for indicating that the emergency exit route indicated by the emergency exit sign should not be taken.

The sign 11 comprises mechanical couplings 6A, 6B for connecting the sandwiched layers to the housing, a central lighting arrangement 15C which may be for illuminating the central panel 4 in its entirety, electrodes 8 which may be for connecting the central lighting arrangement 15C and LEDs within the outer layers 15A, 15B to the housing 5.

Figure 4 shows examples of signs 11 with a cross-shaped lighting arrangement 16 extending across various pictograms 2 or writing on the signs 11. The cross shaped lighting arrangement 16 is a warning cross which is not intended to illuminate or accentuate information on the sign 11. In one configuration the warning cross 16 is operative to flash on and off. In another embodiment outer corners of the sign 11 are lit and flash on and off in conjunction with the illuminated cross 16 which may be continuously lit with a red light, indicating danger. Optionally the four corners of the cross 16 have LEDs 14 which flash on and off alternatively or sequentially.

The signs further comprise an arrow shaped lighting arrangement 17, 19 which may indicate the direction to an emergency exit. The arrow shaped lighting arrangements

17. 19 may be in the form chevron shaped arrows without tails or may be in the form or arrows with heads 19 and tails 17.

Sequential illumination of information on the sign is ideally performed as a series of sequential steps, preferably three, steps. When the arrow or chevron on the sign is switched in this way sequential manner the direction of exit is exaggerated and so can be seen when personnel may be stressed or highlighted. Light may be directed to a shaft portion 17 of arrow 18 or to its head portion 19 (or both) in order to indicate a preferred direction of travel.

The housing 20, shown in Figure 5, is generally rectangular in shape and comprises top and bottom walls, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. The housing 20 is of a two part construction wherein the two parts are connected together, for example by screws and a bracket (not shown) is supplied for mounting the housing to a flat surface. The bracket is optionally releasably connected to the housing.

Referring not to Figures 7 and 8, there are shown examples of emergency systems comprising signs 11 according the present invention. The systems each comprise a fire alarm panel 80 and a sign 11. One of the panels comprises an Apollo sound controller 81 and one of the systems comprises an Apollo Relay Base 82. The fire alarm panel 80 is connected either to the Apollo sound controller 81 by a single electrical connection 83, to the Apollo relay base 82 by a single electrical connection 83, or directly to the sign 11 by single electrical connection 83 (as shown in Figure 8) or by a plurality of electrical connections 83 (as shown in Figure 7). The Apollo sound controller is connected to sign 11 by two electrical connections 83 each of which controls one of two colours of lighting on the sign 11.

A microprocessor 30 controls LEDs 14 which light the or each substantially transparent/translucent segmented light-generating portion 12 in response to an input signal received from a fire control panel 80 in order to strobe, blink and/or selectively turn on and off the LED light sources 14. In one embodiment arrows 18 may be coloured by a green LED light and the cross 16 may be coloured with a red LED light.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a sign 110 in the form of a panel. The sign 110 comprises two outer layers 112 with pictograms 2 or other graphic formed thereon, two intermediate layers 114 formed from 2mm thick acrylic, a central PCB 118 with LEDs and connectors and a PCB holding frame 116 which is formed from acrylic. The PCB 118 and the PCB Holding Frame 116 are both 4.55mm thick. When the sign 111 is assembled, the PCB 118 is received within the rectangular PCB holding frame 116, the two intermediate layers 114 (which are preferably transparent or translucent) are arranged on either side of the frame 116 such that they cover the PCB 118 and the sides of the frame 116, and the two outer layers 112 are arranged to cover the outer faces of the intermediate layers 114 which are distal from the PCB 118. The sign 111 consequently has a sandwiched arrangement.

Emergency exit signs 11 are placed at height above doors and near ceilings and, as such, can become obscured by rising smoke. Figure 1 shows a number of these signs. Most of these signs have a pictogram 2 such as a stick man running, an image of an open door, an arrow, chevrons and similar indicia indicating the direction to an exit or egress point of a building.

Signs 11 may be back-lit or edge-lit as shown for example in Figure 2, or may be provided as stick on labels that are photo-luminescent or conventional printed labels that are attached to walls such as shown in Figure 1.

The sign can have built in micro-processors and in/out connections to the rear of its PCB, to interpret information and react accordingly by activating either an arrow or a cross. A microprocessor can be provided for lighting up the pictograms in sequential stages.

There pane may be powered by batteries or mains (AC) electricity or via a solar energy source.

The present invention can be retro-fitted to most exit/escape route signs either as shown in Figure 3, or by simply adhering the pane to a front and/or rear face of an existing emergency exit sign, in particular of the blade type.

The illuminated sign can be mounted into an adaptable housing for top or side attachment and its associated electronics within the housing including a power source for the electronics, and a backup battery in case of mains failure.

Referring to Figure 4 the sign comprises a housing 5, a substantially transparent semi rigid segmented substrate 7, comprising one or more pictograms shown as the running man and arrow in Figure 1a and also the word EXIT and chevrons as in 1b.

The housing 5 has mounted therein the electronics (not shown) for an AC mains or AC/DC self-contained unit, which powers the substantially transparent lightgenerating panels 7, In keeping with mandatory standards the housing 5 incorporates a backup power source, for example NiCad type batteries. The housing 5 can be a metal or plastics extrusion.

The transparent light-generating panels 7, may, for example, be electrically conductive semi rigged substrates providing a desired light distribution pattern with light guides when illuminated by internal flexible LED circuits. The substrate can have a customized light distribution pattern 1, 2 and 3, by enveloping within the semi rigid substrate flexible LED circuits consisting of different LED arrangements separate to the even distribution LED circuit shown as 6 and 4.

These different LED arrangements are positioned to highlight the shape of an arrow or chevron and/or cross. The arrow and/or chevron can be shown with green and/or white LEDS whilst the cross can be shown with red LEDS.

The customized light distribution pattern can be separate from the different LED arrangements that form an arrow or chevron and/or cross and can be illuminated separately from the different LED arrangements.

The substantially transparent light-generating panels 7, comprise electrodes 8 that connect into the electronics housing 5 for both power and selective control of illumination of the light-generating panels

The substantially transparent segmented light generating panel 7, is manufactured to size in accordance with the viewing distance required of the pictogram sign/s as shown in figures 1a and 1b, with a typical legend panel being 300mm x 150mm.The panel 7 has two apertures 9, positioned inwardly either from the top left and right edge of the panel 7 or to the left or right sides of the panel 7 for receiving retaining bolts/screws (not shown) into the housing 5. A typical panel 7 will be in the region of 1.2 mm to 3 mm thickness.

Whilst reference has been made to a resin translucent panel, it will be appreciated that any suitable material could be used.

In the example shown, a running man and arrow/door are provided; however, the legend can also be just words such as the word EXIT and a chevron pictogram. The electrodes 9 run into the housing 5, from the substantially transparent lightgenerating panels 7. The electrodes 9 are then connected and hidden from view within the housing 5. The same process is then applied for all electrodes 9.

In another embodiment a means is provided to modulate illumination to the sign using a flashed, pulsed or a strobed light source. Optionally light sources may be adapted to flash in different colours, for example green and/or red.

Where a sign includes two or more illuminating portions phasing of light in a sequential manner is controlled by the microprocessor 30. A single matrix for multipurpose sign types - up, down, diagonal, right and left may be deployed.

A communication interface is operable with existing communication systems including: low range low power wireless local and wide area networks, such as LoRa (RTM), formal and informal wireless protocol, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (RTM) and narrow band and standard duplex communication systems. These enable a receiver to receive data and relay it to an on-board memory and software and thereby enable an on-board microprocessor to operate effectively. In addition status data and other update date is transmitted form the device to another sign or to a local or remote management system.

External sensors may be connected to and operable to control the light sources. For example the sign may trigger in response to an alarm input derived from a sound input or smoke detector and/or heat sensor and/or light intensity sensor.

Supporting software enables individual panes to be configured using a management tool so that newly installed devices can operate with existing systems, base units and housings.

In one embodiment LEDs are moulded into an edge of the blade or panel so that light is transmitted directly on to the panes thereby improving efficiency. Optionally panes may be double sided for example when connected back to back.

Ideally the printed circuit board on which components are built PCB are less than 1.0mm thick. Typically the thickest component is the connector and is around 2mm thick.

Some embodiments of the sing 11 a PCB 60 connects to an upper edge of panes 10 thereby ensuring there is no shadowing. PCB 70 is adapted to fit inside housing 5 which typically fits behind a larger legend. Within housing are provided white LEDs 14 that continually lights the sign. Light pipes direct light from the LEDs 14 to the back of the legend.

Shadowing is avoided by ensuring the PCB board 40 is the same size as the pane on which graphics and indicia appear thereby ensuring that the pane 10 can be viewed from all orientations.

Figure 9 shows a sing panel 120 comprising a housing 124 with a polycarbonate or acrylic display surface 128 with pictograms 2 formed thereon. The housing contains a PCB 122 with LEDs which are connected to the display surface 128 by light pipes 126.

Figure 10 shows an exterior view of a light panel 130.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An illuminated emergency exit sign comprises a translucent pane which when retained by a housing receives light from at least one light source in the housing, on a first surface of the pane there is provided one or more indicia which when illuminated indicate(s) a direction or route of escape; and a second light source maintains uniformity of luminance of the direction or route of escape to a viewer when viewing the pane; the first and second light sources are illuminated in dependence upon input signals received from a controller, so that in a first illuminated state the direction or route of escape is visible to the viewer; and in a second illuminated state a warning sign is displayed indicating the emergency exit is compromised, characterised in that the warning sign is illuminated by light from within the housing passing through at least one translucent region of the pane.

2. A sign according to claim 1 wherein indicia includes at least one pictogram or word and at least one additional light source is provided for illuminating the at least one pictogram or word, the at least one light source is controllable from a remote location.

3. A sign according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the illuminated translucent pane is provided in the form of a pane with portions removed therefrom, the portions having edges through which light emerges.

4. A sign according to claim 3 wherein edges defining the removed portions are cut, punched, pressed or moulded so that the edges are bevelled and light is refracted therethrough.

5. A sign according to claim 3 or 4 wherein a lenticular or lens is formed along the edges thereby enabling edges of the sign to be viewed through a greater range of viewing angles.

6. A sign according to any preceding claim wherein the indicia or warning sign is formed from cutting out portions or segments of the pane or by overlaying images or printed images on the surface of a transparent or translucent pane.

7. A sign according to any preceding claim wherein the controller receives an input and causes light sources to illuminate selectively in response to a control signal so that relevant information suitable for an emergency exit sign is displayed in accordance with predefined criteria.

8. A sign according to any preceding claim wherein the pane includes a relay or contact interface which enables the pane to connect to a control circuit and/or to a light connector that connects the pane to at least one light source.

9. A sign according to any preceding claim includes mechanical couplings to enable the pane to be fitted to a housing.

10. A sign according to claim 9 wherein the mechanical couplings are configured to enable the pane to be reversed (side to side and/or top to bottom) thereby ensuring that the pane connects to the housing in order to match an existing legend or wording on an existing display panel on the housing in a correct orientation.

11. A sign according to any preceding claim wherein the input signal is received from an external source, such as a fire alarm panel, an automatic sensor, a wireless transmitter, a digital acoustic device, a mesh networking system.

12. A sign according to claim 11 wherein the input signal is received from a ZigBee (RTM) transmitter, a LoRa (RTM) transmitter, a mains power signalling device, an emergency lighting system such as a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI), an evacuation computer modelling software system, an automatic building management system (BMS) and/or a CCTV monitoring device or a manual input.

13. A sign according to any preceding claim wherein the pane is formed from a sheet of synthetic plastics material less than 8 mm thick and preferably less than mm thick.

14. A sign according to any preceding claim wherein the, or each, pane is illuminated by light emitting diodes (LEDs) and light is conducted to the panes via flexible light guides extending from the LEDs.

15. A sign according to any of claims 3 to 14 wherein two illuminated transparent panes are provided on both faces of a pane which is sandwiched by the illuminated transparent panes, each illuminated pane has portions removed therefrom, the portions having edges through which light emerges.

16. A sign according to claim 15 wherein the pane which is sandwiched by the illuminated transparent panes has its own light source.

17. A sign according to claim 15 or 16 wherein control signals selectively switch portions of each of the illuminated transparent panes in a manner in order to indicate a preferred direction of exit.

18. A sign according to claim any of claims 15 to 17 wherein control signals selectively switch portions of each of the illuminated transparent panes in a manner in order to indicate that an emergency exit or exit route is compromised.

19. A sign according to any preceding claim at least one light source is provided for accentuating one or more pictograms in a controllable manner by sequentially illuminating different regions so as to indicate an intended direction.

20. An emergency exit sign comprising: at least one pictogram and at least one light source for controllably illuminating the at least one pictogram, the at least one light source is controlled so as to direct evacuees along a preferred route wherein the at least one light source includes a light emitting diode (LED) optically coupled to a transparent panel.

21. A system including a plurality of a signs; a controller and sensors are adapted to relay information to the controller concerning sectors of a building; and the controller is adapted to indicate a decommissioned emergency exit sign or route in accordance with one or more preselected or operator defined criteria.

22. A method of evacuating a building including the steps of: transmitting data from sensors to a controller and operating the controller to decommission an emergency exit sign in accordance with one or more preselected or operator defined criteria.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1807324.7 Examiner: Dr Matthew Jefferson