GB2569053A

GB2569053A - An emergency exit sign

Info

Publication number: GB2569053A
Application number: GB1902333.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Noel Mcdonagh Bernard; Owen Stevens Brian
Original assignee: Bisley Ip Ltd
Current assignee: Bisley Ip Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-03
Filing date: 2018-05-03
Publication date: 2019-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-03
Also published as: GB201902333D0; GB2569053B; GB201707055D0; GB201807324D0; GB2562171A; GB2562171B

Abstract

An illuminated emergency exit sign 11 comprises a pane which is supported by a housing 5 and a lighting arrangement 15C. The pane comprises a first layer 4 with one or more pictograms 2 and at least one further layer 15A, 15B with light illumination patterns of LEDs 13. The layers are sandwiched together to define the display face of the sign. The lighting arrangement provides edge-lit illumination of the first layer. The light illumination patterns are selectively illuminated in response to an input to provide a dynamic sign. At least one of the light patterns comprises a cross shaped red illumination pattern for indicating that an evacuation route indicated by the sign should not be taken, e.g. if it is blocked by fire. A further pattern may be a green illuminated arrow. The exit sign is preferably a blade type sign where the pane is suspended beneath the housing and is double sided so that it is visible from either direction, the first pictogram layer being sandwiched between two further light illumination pattern layers.

Description

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 an edge-lit emergency exit sign comprising: a pane which is supported by a housing; and a lighting arrangement; wherein the pane comprises a layer with one or more pictograms formed thereon and at least one layer with light illumination patterns of light emitting diodes (LEDs), the layers being sandwiched together to define the display face of the sign; the lighting arrangement is for illuminating the layer with one or more pictograms formed thereon in its entirety; the light illumination patterns are selectively illuminated in response to an input; and at least one of the light illumination patterns comprises a cross shaped illumination pattern for indicating that an emergency exit route indicated by the sign should not be taken

In some embodiments the one or more pictograms are a plurality of pictograms.

The light illumination patterns may be light illumination patterns of embedded LEDs.

The sign may be a blade type sign and with the pane being supported along one edge by the housing.

The pane may be a flexible display.

The pane may be substantially transparent.

The LEDs may be low power low profile LEDs.

The pane may comprise a plurality of layers with light illumination patterns of LEDs which are sandwiched together with the layer with pictograms formed thereon.

The layer with pictograms formed thereon may be a central layer surrounded by outer layers with light illumination patterns of LEDs.

At least one of the light illumination patterns may comprise an arrow shaped illumination pattern corresponding to an arrow shaped pictogram on the layer with pictograms formed thereon.

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

Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic view of a system comprising an emergency exit sign according to the present invention; and

Figure 8 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 7. Figures 1 and 2A to 2D show examples of existing emergency exit signs 200; Figures 3 to 5 show emergency exit signs 11 according to the present invention and Figures 6 and 7 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 define 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, i.e. 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 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 comers 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 comers 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 6 and 7, 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 7) or by a plurality of electrical connections 83 (as shown in Figure 6). 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.

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 ofthe 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.

Figure 8 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 edge-lit emergency exit sign comprising: a pane which is supported by a housing; and a lighting arrangement; wherein the pane comprises a layer with one or more pictograms formed thereon and at least one layer with light illumination patterns of light emitting diodes (LEDs), the layers being sandwiched together to define the display face of the sign; the lighting arrangement is for illuminating the layer with the one or more pictograms formed thereon in its entirety; the light illumination patterns are selectively illuminated in response to an input; and at least one of the light illumination patterns comprises a cross shaped illumination pattern for indicating that an emergency exit route indicated by the sign should not be taken.

2. An edge-lit emergency exit sign according to claim 1 wherein the one or more pictograms are a plurality of pictograms.

3. An edge lit emergency exit sign according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the light illumination patterns are light illumination patterns of embedded LEDs.

4. An edge lit emergency according to any preceding claim wherein the sign is a blade type sign and the pane supported along one edge by the housing.

5. An edge-lit emergency sign according pane is a flexible display.

to any preceding claim wherein the

6. An edge-lit emergency sign according pane is substantially transparent.

to any preceding claim wherein the

7. An edge-lit emergency sign according LEDs are low power, low profile LEDs.

to any preceding claim wherein the to any preceding claim wherein

8. An edge-lit emergency sign according pane comprises a plurality of layers with light illumination patterns of LEDs which the are sandwiched together with the layer with pictograms formed thereon.

9. An edge-lit emergency sign according to any preceding claim wherein the layer with pictograms formed thereon is a central layer surrounded by outer layers with light illumination patterns of LEDs.

10. An edge-lit emergency exit sign according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the light illumination patterns comprises an arrow shaped illumination pattern corresponding to an arrow shaped pictogram on the layer with pictograms formed thereon.