Patent ID: 6276634
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: A62B,B60Q,B64D,F21S,G08B,G09F

Abstract:
An aircraft comprising:(a) a floor along which is disposed an aisle having:(i) a length and a width;(ii) a first side region extending longitudinally adjacent to a plurality of seats that are spaced apart longitudinally along said aisle; and(iii) a second side region spaced apart from said first side region by substantially the width of said aisle;(b) an exit adapted to enable passengers to leave the aircraft;(c) a first elongate guide track mounted on said floor and extending longitudinally along said first side region of said aisle;(d) a second elongate guide track mounted on said floor and extending longitudinally along said second side region of said aisle;(e) each of said first and second guide tracks having a generally flat, smooth top surface and comprising a plurality of track sections having a length and a width, and being butted end-to-end along the guide track;(f) each of said plurality of track sections comprising:(i) a photoluminescent strip extending substantially continuously along the track section and having an upper surface and a lower surface; and(ii) a cover of light transmissive material extending continuously over said photoluminescent strip to protect said upper surface; and(g) said photoluminescent strip being energized by an ambient light source and operable to emit visible light for a substantial period of time in an absence of said ambient light source and without being energized by an electrical current, so that said first and second guide tracks provide substantially parallel continuous tracks of light extending longitudinally along said aisle to identify said side regions of said aisle and to define a path along said aisle of the aircraft in an absence of illumination from said ambient light source, for guiding passengers along said aisle toward the exit.