WO1993012837A1

WO1993012837A1 - Guidance system

Info

Publication number: WO1993012837A1
Application number: PCT/GB1992/002401
Authority: WO
Inventors: Derek Anthony Jones
Original assignee: Derek Anthony Jones
Priority date: 1991-12-31
Filing date: 1992-12-29
Publication date: 1993-07-08
Also published as: AU3169893A

Abstract

A guidance system, particularly for guiding persons to a fire exit under conditions of darkness or poor visibility, comprises tactile guidance elements (3a and 3b) mounted along the walls of the building at a convenient height. The elements may comprise strips of fabric pile where the pile is inclined in a direction towards the fire exit (2). The pile therefore feels smooth when a hand is passed over it in a direction towards the fire exit, but feels rough when the hand is moved in a direction away from the fire exit. In conditions of poor visibility a person may thus find the fire exit by following the 'smooth' direction of the strip. Other forms of surface shape or texturing may be employed to give the guidance elements a different feel in opposite directions.

Description

"Guidance System" The present invention relates to a guidance system for guiding people to a destination, particularly for guiding people to fire exits in conditions of low or nil visibility or for guiding blind people.

Guidance systems commonly used for indicating the direction in which people should move to a fire exit in buildings and transport vehicles, such as planes and boats, involve the use of illuminated signs or a sequence of bulbs on the floor. These work to some extent but are useless if the power supply to these devices fails or if the visibility is very poor, for example due to the presence of dense smoke. These systems are relatively costly to install and require frequent testing, and are also obviously unsuitable for blind persons. The present invention seeks to provide a guidance system which is touch sensitive to enable persons to feel their way to a destination such as a fire exit.

According to the invention there is provided a guidance system for guiding persons from a location to a required destination, comprising tactile guidance elements mounted along a route between the location and the destination in a position where such elements may be touched by a person travelling along that route, the elements being textured and/or shaped such that there is a difference in feel between passing a hand over an element in a direction towards the destination and passing a hand over the element in a direction away from the destination. Said guidance elements are preferably elongate elements which extend in the direction of the route.

The elongate guidance elements may be integral with one another so as to form a substantially continuous strip. Alternatively they may be separate elements mounted adjacent one another end-to-end to form a substantially continuous strip.

The elongate guidance elements may be flexible, or may comprise a flexible elongate guidance strip supported on an elongate substantially rigid holding member. The longitudinal side edges of the elongate flexible strip may be engaged by longitudinal side flanges on the holding member. Cushioning material may be provided between the elongate flexible element and the holding member.

Each said guidance element may include a pile which extends from a base and is inclined in a direction having at least a component extending longitudinally of the element. Alternatively, each guidance element may be formed with projections each having, on one side, a surface inclined at a shallow angle to the longitudinal direction of the element, and, on the opposite side, a surface inclined at a substantially greater angle to the longitudinal direction of the element. Each projection may be generally semi-conical in shape, or wedge-shaped. Alternatively the elements may be formed with raised projections in the form of pointers.

The elements are preferably formed from fire-proof material .

In preferred embodiments according to the invention each guidance element comprises an elongate channel-sectioned support member, and an elongate guidance structure located within the channel and comprising a plurality of guide elements which are inclined in a direction having at least a component extending longitudinally of the support member.

The guidance structure may be separately formed from the support member and secured thereto.

Alternatively the support member may be moulded from plastics material, said guidance structure being integrally moulded therewith.

Each guide element may be a rod-like element or a wafer extending at an angle from the bottom of the support member.

Attachment lugs may be provided at opposite ends of the channel-sectioned support member and may be integral with the support member. In another embodiment the guidance elements are incorporated in an elongate handrail or wall-mounted anti- scuffing strip.

A guidance system for aircraft may comprise a plurality of guidance elements of any of the kinds referred to above, a guidance element being mounted on each seat unit of the aircraft which is disposed adjacent an access aisle, the guidance elements being orientated to indicate the direction of an exit from the aircraft. The invention includes within its scope a set of parts for use in a guidance system and comprising a number of guidance elements as defined above, and means for mounting said elements to a wall, floor, ceiling or other support.

The following is a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a guidance system according to the invention in use in a hotel corridor;

Figure 2 shows one form of strip material suitable for use in the invention;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the strip of Figure 2 in a holding plate; Figures 4 to 6 are cross-sectional views of alternative forms of strip and holding plate;

Figures 7 to 10 are perspective views of alternative forms of strip material suitable for use in the invention; Figure 11 is a side elevation of a portion of a further form of strip material suitable for use in the invention;

Figure 12 is a plan view of the strip material of Figure 11; Figure 13 is an exploded view of part of a further form of guide element;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of part of a further form of guide element; Figure 15 is a perspective view of a form of guide element suitable for use with carpeting;

Figure 16 shows a guide strip incorporated in a hand rail, Figures 17-19 are a plan view, side view and end view respectively of a further form of guidance element;

Figure 20 is a side view of an alternative guidance element, similar to Figures 17-19 but being formed from two separable components;

Figure 21 is an end view of the guidance element of Figure 20,

Figure 22 is a perspective view showing floor mounted touch guidance elements in an aircraft or similar location;

Figure 23 is a diagrammatic representation of seats on an aircraft showing the location of an alternative form of touch guidance elements;

Figure 24 is a plan view of a basic form of guidance element for use as shown in Figure 23;

Figure 25 is a perspective view of a particular form of touch guidance element for use on aircraft;

Figures 26 and 27 are a plan view and longitudinal section respectively through a further form of one piece touch guidance element; and

Figures 28 and 29 are a plan view and longitudinal section respectively of a still further form of one piece touch guidance element. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic view of one side of a typical hotel corridor 1 with a plurality of rooms 98, 99 and rooms 101 to 104 on either side respectively of a fire exit 2. In the event of a fire, residents of the hotel would need to make their way to the fire exit 2. Those in rooms 98, 99 would need to move to the right (as viewed in the drawing) and those in rooms 101 to 104 would need to move to the left.

In accordance with the invention, two substantially continuous strips of material 3a, 3b extend from opposite directions towards the fire exit 2, at a convenient height where they may be continuously touched by a person walking along the corridor. Each strip extends across each room door as well as along the wall between the doors. There is, of course, a break between each strip of material on a door and the strips of material on the adjacent walls, so that the door may be opened. As more fully described in relation to Figures 2 to 9, each strip of material is textured so that there is a difference in feel when a hand passes over it in one direction than when a hand passes over it in the opposite direction. Residents in the hotel would be informed of the texture they should feel when moving in the correct direction towards the fire exit. The strip 3a will be mounted to lead residents from left to right and strip 3b will be mounted the opposite way round to lead residents from right to left.

Referring now to Figure 2, the strip material may be textured by being in the form of a fibre pile 5 with each fibre projecting in an inclined direction from a base 6 as shown. Movement of a hand over the pile in the direction of inclination of the fibres would tend to flatten the fibres and make the pile feel smooth. Movement of a hand against the inclined direction of the fibres, however, would make the pile rise and feel rough. The strip material of Figure 2, if used as the strip 3a, 3b in Figure 1, might be mounted so that the inclined fibres in each strip point in the direction of fire exit 2 (i.e. the fibres of strip 3a would point to the right whereas the fibres of strip 3b would point to the left.) Residents in the hotel would be advised that in the case of fire, they should follow the strip in the direction that the strip feels smooth.

The strip material may be manufactured in a similar manner to artificial turf. Alternatively, it may comprise any commercially available conventional carpeting material of the kind in which the pile has a distinctive direction of inclination which may be readily felt by the hand.

At the point of manufacture, the base 6 may be mounted in an elongate holding plate 7, e.g. of extruded plastics or metal, as shown in Figure 3. In this case the base 6 and holding plate 7 form a guidance element which can be secured to a wall or door, e.g. by fasteners such as screws or clips, or adhesive.

Referring now to Figure 4, as an alternative to the arrangement in Figure 3, and at the point . of manufacture, the base 6 of the strip may be held in an elongate channel-shaped holding plate 8, with a cushion layer 9 (e.g. of foam rubber material) interposed between the base 6 and the plate 8. This provides a more comfortable feel to the pile 5 and greater depth and contour to the strip. The guidance element, comprising the base 6, plate 8, and cushion layer 9, can again be secured to a wall or door by fasteners such as screws or clips, or adhesives.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, instead of the base 6 being mounted in the holding plate 7 or 8 at the point of manufacture, as described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, a plate 10 or 11 may be secured first to the wall or door, e.g. by fasteners such as screws or clips, or adhesive. The base 6 is then inserted and secured to the plate, for example by an adhesive, or by deforming the side flanges 12 of the plate inwardly. This may make installation easier and more sightly. Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 10 there are shown alternative forms of guidance strip material to that shown in Figure 2.

In the strip of Figure 7 a base 13 is textured by being formed with a plurality of semi-conical projections 14, in somewhat similar fashion to a cheese grater. The semi-conical surfaces are inclined at a shallow angle to the length of the strip, and this makes the projections 14 feel smooth when the hand passes over them in one direction. However the other surface of each projection, being inclined at a substantially greater angle, i.e. about 90°, makes the projections feel rough when the hand passes over them in the other direction. A person can follow the smooth direction.

In the strip of Figure 8 a base 15 is textured by being formed with a plurality of arrow head projections 16. A hand passing over the arrow heads can feel the direction they point in, and a person can follow that direction. Other projections in the shape of pointers may be employed, provided that they feel different in different directions.

In the strip of Figure 9 a base 17 is textured by being formed with a plurality of wedges 18. The wedges 18 feel rough when the hand passes in one direction and smooth when the hand passes in the other direction. A person can follow the smooth direction.

Figure 10 shows a further form of textured guidance strip in which the base 19 is textured by being integrally formed with a plurality of generally triangular wedge portions 20 the apices, of the triangular wedge sections pointing in one direction along the length of the strip.

In the embodiment of Figures 11 and 12 a base strip 21 is integrally formed with pairs of spaced part- spherical quadrants 22 upstanding from the strip 21 and having their rounded surfaces facing in one direction along the length of the strip. The quadrants 22 may be solid or hollow so that, in the latter case, the strip has something of the texture of a cheese grater. The quadrants may be integrally moulded with the strip 21 from plastics material, or in the case where the quadrants are hollow they may be pressed out of sheet metal or similar material.

The strip materials shown in Figures 7 to 10 can also be made of any suitable material e.g. plastics, metal, wood or flock on parchment strip like wallpaper, if the particular design of the textured portions permits this.

Figure 13 shows a modified version of the guidance elements shown in Figures 3-6. In this case the element comprises a base channel 23 having inturned flanges 24 along the opposite longitudinal sides thereof. Received in the channel is a strip 25, similar to that of Figure 2, which is textured by being in the form of a fibre pile 26 with each fibre projecting in an inclined direction from the base strip 25. The strip 25 is secured within the channel 23 by means of double-sided adhesive tape 27 extending along the bottom of the channel 23. The longitudinal side edges of the strip 25 may abut the side flanges 24 or may be engaged beneath them. As required, an end cap 28 is fitted to each free end of the strip 23 to provide a neat appearance.

In the embodiment of Figure 14 an inclined fibre strip 29 is secured within a channel 30 in a comparatively thick base strip 31. In this case the portions 32 of the strip on either side of the channel 30 form walls which stand at a level at or slightly above the ends of the fibres of the strip 29. The upstanding walls 32 therefore serve to protect the fibre strip 29 against damage and also enables the guidance element to be used as a conventional buffer rail when fixed to a wall, to prevent damage or marking of the wall, for example by passing trolleys. Suitably shaped end caps 33 are provided to be secured to the ends of the strip 31, for example by gluing, to provide a neat appearance. The channel shaped element 31 and end caps 33 may conveniently be moulded from plastics.

The guidance elements described above can be mounted at approximately waist height, as shown in Figure 1, on the doors and walls. The elements might also, however, be mounted on the floor or at a different height on the wall and may also be placed to guide people around furniture and other obstacles.

Figure 15 shows a guidance element suitable for floor mounting in conjunction with a carpet. In this case the element comprises a flat base plate 34 of metal or plastics formed with two spaced upstanding longitudinal flanges 35 which provide between them a channel to receive an inclined fibre touch guidance strip 36 of any of the kinds previously described.

The base plate 34 is secured to the floor, for example by adhesive, nails or screws, and the edges of the carpeting, as indicated at 37, may then overlie the portions of the base plate 34 on either side of the guidance strip 36. It will be appreciated that the texture of the inclined pile touch guidance strip 36 should be sufficiently different from the texture of the carpeting 37 so as to be clearly detectable by touch. To provide greater contrast in touch, the inclined fibre strip 36 might be replaced by any one of the more rigid textured guidance strips of the kind described herein.

Figure 16 shows an arrangement for providing a touch guidance strip on an existing buffer, or anti- scuffing, rail of the kind often found in hospitals, schools and similar institutions. Such buffer rails normally comprise a plain flat bar 38 of wood, plastics or metal extending horizontally and mounted on a vertical wall surface by brackets such as indicated at 39.

In this embodiment of the present invention there is provided an inverted U-shaped hand rail 40 having an enlarged generally cylindrical handgrip portion 41 and a vertical slot 42 dimensioned to fit snugly over the upper part of the buffer rail 38. Formed along the front surface of the hand rail 40 is a channel 43 in which is secured an inclined fibre guidance strip 44, or other similar textured guidance strip of any of the kinds described herein. This arrangement not only provides a touch guidance strip in an appropriate location, but also enhances the usefulness of the buffer rail 38 by converting it into a comfortable hand rail which may be of considerable use to elderly or disabled persons. Figures 17-19 show a further form of solid textured guidance element which may be moulded in one piece from plastics material. The element comprises a base plate 45 integrally formed with upstanding longitudinally side walls 46 to provide a central channel 47. Integrally moulded within the channel 47 so as to extend between the side walls 46 are a series of inclined ridges 48 which, as best seen in Figure 18, are of generally triangular cross-section. The side walls 46 are slightly higher than the ridges 48, as best seen in Figures 18 and 19, so as to protect the ridges from wear and so that the walls 46 also serve as a buffer rail.

The side edges of the base plate portion 45 extend outwardly beyond the side walls 46, as indicated at 49, to provide flanges whereby the strip may be screwed to the wall. Alternatively, the strip may be secured to the wall by an adhesive.

Figures 20 and 21 illustrate a modified version of the arrangement of Figures 17-19 in which the inclined triangular wedge portions 50 are integrally moulded on a strip 51 which is separate from a channel section strip comprising a base plate portion 52 and spaced side walls 53. The strip 51 carrying the wedges 50 is secured within the channel section strip after the latter has been secured to the wall, for example by screws passing through the base plate portion 52.

In any of the described arrangements the particular form of textured surface may be varied from that shown and may comprise any form of directionally textured surface as specifically described herein or otherwise within the scope of the invention.

As previously mentioned, touch guidance elements according to the invention may be mounted on the floor as well as on walls, and Figure 22 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing how a floor mounted guidance strip may be located in an aircraft. In this case the strip 54 extends along one side of the aisle 55 and beneath the outer edges of the rows of aircraft seats 56 bordering the aisle 55. The guidance strip, which may be of any of the kinds described herein, has its textured surface so inclined as to direct users towards the emergency exit, for example in the direction of the arrow 57.

Alternatively or additionally, in an aircraft, individual touch guidance elements may be mounted on each passenger seat which is adjacent an aisle. Such an arrangement is shown diagrammatically in Figure 23 where the side portion 58 of each passenger seat 59 has secured to it a comparatively short touch guidance element 60, the textured surface of the guidance element being of any of the kinds described herein. The textured surface is orientated to lead passengers, in an emergency, in the direction of the arrows 61 towards the exit indicated diagrammatically at 62. In conditions of poor visibility, such as darkness or smoke, passengers may thus readily find their way to the exit by feeling their way from one guidance element 60 to the next, on successive passenger seats.

Referring to Figure 24, one convenient form of guidance element for use in the arrangement of Figure 23 comprises a comparatively short channel sectioned portion 63 to the ends of which are fitted end caps 64 having flanges 65 which may be screwed to the side surface of the seat. Received in the channel 63, or integrally moulded therein, may be any form of textured touch guidance strip as described herein.

Figure 25 shows an alternative form of touch guidance element for use on aircraft seat units. This particular form of element may be moulded in one piece and comprises two raised longitudinal side walls 66 defining between them a channel 67 in which are integrally moulded inclined wedge portions 68. Attachment and location lugs 69 are integrally moulded on the ends of the strip. Again, the inclined wedges 68 may be replaced by any other suitable form of directional guidance strip. Figures 26-29 show two further forms of moulded touch guidance element, either of which may be used in continuous lengths or in shorter sections in any of the arrangements previously described.

In the arrangement of Figures 26 and 27 the element comprises spaced side walls 70 upstanding from a base portion 71. The base portion 71 is integrally moulded with a series of spaced rows of rod-like elements 72 which are inclined at about 45° longitudinally of the strip as they extend upwardly from the base portion 71. As best seen in Figure 27 the side walls 70 are slightly higher than the elements 72 so as to prevent damage to the elements or accidental scuffing against them by passers- by.

In the modified arrangement of Figures 28 and 29 there are again provided spaced side walls 73 and a base portion 74, but in this case the upstanding elements integrally moulded with the base portion 74 are in the form of rectangular wafers 75 which are inclined in one direction longitudinally of the strip at an angle of about 45°.

It will be appreciated that the arrangements of Figures 25-29 may readily be moulded in one piece from suitable plastics material.

In any of the above-described arrangements the guidance element is preferably of fire-resistant material and may be made in a variety of colours and designs to give directional information by sight as well as by touch. While the guidance system has been illustrated as used in an hotel or aircraft, it will be appreciated that it may be used in other buildings such as offices, houses, apartment blocks, stations and airports, or in other transport vehicles such as boats and coaches. It may also be used for purposes other than indicating a fire escape route, for example it may be provided to enable blind persons to find their way to any destination.

In all of the above arrangements the guidance elements may be supplied in standard lengths. The holding plates, such as 7, 8, 10 and 11, may comprise rigid lengths, and the strips, such as 6, 13, 15, 17, may be supplied in coils or rolls, when supplied separately from the plates. Alternatively, each rigid plate may be supplied pre-fitted with its length of strip. For convenience, one standard length might be such as to fit across the width of a standard door, to keep cutting to a minimum. Although the guidance elements are preferably mounted so as to provide a substantially continuous guidance surface, the invention does not exclude arrangements where the end of one element is spaced a short distance from the beginning of the next element, as in the arrangement of Figure 23, provided that the distance is only such that a person's hand continuing to move in the same direction must inevitably come into contact with the next element.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A guidance system for guiding persons from a location to a required destination, comprising tactile guidance elements mounted along a route between the location and the destination in a position where such elements may be touched by a person travelling along that route, the elements being textured and/or shaped such that there is a difference in feel between passing a hand over an element in a direction towards the destination and passing a hand over the element in a direction away from the destination.

2. A guidance system according to Claim 1, wherein said guidance elements are elongate elements which extend in the direction of the route.

3. A guidance system according to Claim 2, wherein said elongate guidance elements are integral with one another so as to form a substantially continuous strip.

4. A guidance system according to Claim 2, wherein said elongate guidance elements are separate elements mounted adjacent one another end-to-end to form a substantially continuous-strip.

5. A guidance system according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein said elongate guidance elements are flexible.

6. A guidance system according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein each elongate guidance element comprises a flexible elongate guidance strip supported on an elongate substantially rigid holding member.

7. A guidance system according to Claim 6, wherein the longitudinal side edges of the elongate flexible strip are engaged by longitudinal side flanges on the holding member.

8. A guidance system according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein cushioning material is provided between the elongate flexible element and the holding member.

9. A guidance system according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein each said guidance element includes a pile which extends from a base and is inclined in a direction having at least a component extending longitudinally of the element.

10. A guidance system according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein each said guidance element is formed with projections each having, on one side, a surface inclined at a shallow angle to the longitudinal direction of the element, and, on the opposite side, a surface inclined at a substantially greater angle to the longitudinal direction of the element.

11. A guidance system according to Claim 10, wherein each projection is generally semi-conical in shape.

12. A guidance system according to Claim 10, wherein each projection is generally wedge-shaped.

13. A guidance system according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein said guidance elements are formed with raised projections in the form of pointers.

14. A guidance system according to any of Claims 1 to 13, wherein said elements are formed from fire-proof material .

15. A guidance system according to Claim 2, wherein each guidance element comprises an elongate channel- sectioned support member, and an elongate guidance structure located within the channel and comprising a plurality of guide elements which are inclined in a direction having at least a component extending longitudinally of the support member.

16. A guidance system according to Claim 15, wherein said guidance structure is separately formed from the support member and is secured thereto.

17. A guidance system according to Claim 15, wherein said support member is moulded from plastics material and said guidance structure is integrally moulded therewith.

18. A guidance system according to any of Claims 15 to 17, wherein each guide element is generally wedge- shaped.

19. A guidance system according to any of Claims 15 to 17, wherein each guide element is a rod-like element extending at an angle_. from the bottom of the support member.

20. A guidance system according to any of Claims 15 to 17, wherein each guide element is in the form of a wafer extending at an angle from the bottom of the support member.

21. A guidance system according to any of Claim 15 to 20 wherein attachment lugs are provided at opposite ends of the channel-sectioned support member.

22. A guidance system according to Claim 21, wherein the attachment lugs are integral with the support member.

23. A guidance system according to any of Claims 1 to 22, wherein the guidance elements are incorporated in an elongate handrail or wall-mounted anti-scuffing strip.

24. A guidance system for aircraft comprising a plurality of guidance elements according to any of Claims 1 to 23, a guidance element being mounted on each seat unit of the aircraft which is disposed adjacent an access aisle, the guidance elements being orientated to indicate the direction of an exit from the aircraft.

25. A set of parts for use in a guidance system and comprising a number of guidance elements as defined in any of the preceding claims, and means for mounting said elements to a wall, floor, ceiling or other support.

26. A guidance system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 29 of the accompanying drawings.