Abstract:
A luminescent signage component which includes a body having at least one cavity. Luminescent epoxy fills the at least one cavity. The luminescent epoxy in the cavity emits a luminescent glow in the event of a power failure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a luminescent signage component suited for use in any type of signage, and having particular utility for indicating the position of an exit door in the case of an emergency, such as a fire.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Building codes in most jurisdictions require that exit doors be clearly marked, so that the public will be able to rapidly identify the exit doors in the case of an emergency, such as a fire. Whatever exit markings are provided, must be remain clearly visible in the event of a power outage. Depending upon the jurisdiction, the time period prescribed may vary. The time period is usually at least 45 minutes. In the past, the continued illumination of the exit markings in the event of a power outage has been addressed with an auxiliary power source. Persons have suggested the use of luminescent signage. An example of this is U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,653 (van Duynhoven 2002). The van Duynhoven patent teaches marking luminescent indicia using a stencil and luminescent paint. A possible concern about the teachings of the van Duynhoven patent is whether there is sufficient luminescent material in the paint to maintain the indicia illuminated for the length of time required.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    What is required is an alternative form of luminescent signage component.  
           [0004]    According to the present invention there is provided a luminescent signage component which includes a body having at least one cavity. Luminescent epoxy fills the at least one cavity. The luminescent epoxy in the cavity emits a luminescent glow in the event of a power failure.  
           [0005]    It is preferred that the at least one cavity defines a message conveying indicia, such as a series of alpha-numeric characters or a graphic symbol. With the luminescent signage component, as described above, luminescent epoxy fills the cavity in the body. This approach substantially increases the amount of luminescent material and, consequently, the time duration during which the luminescent material will continue to glow, as compared to the van Duynhoven patent reference.  
           [0006]    Although beneficial results may be obtained through use of the luminescent signage components, as described above, to this point the technology has not been able to supplant traditional backlit exit signs. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when a portion of the body where the cavity or cavities are positioned is transparent. This enables the luminescent epoxy to be backlit by a light positioned behind the body. The backlit luminescent epoxy will be charged by the light positioned behind the body. Should the light go out due to a power failure, the fully charged luminescent epoxy will glow, so that there will be little or no perceived difference in operation to the public.  
           [0007]    Although beneficial results may be obtained through use of the luminescent signage components, as described above, when the cavity or cavities are recesses made in dark material, the dark material tends to absorb light and reduce the time it takes to charge the luminescent epoxy. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when the cavities have a light reflecting coating to facilitate charging of the luminescent epoxy by a light positioned in front of the body. Beneficial results have been obtained through the use of a white paint.  
           [0008]    It is envisaged that the body will take the form of a sign plate in most cases. However, there may be advantages in making the exit door stand out by having the body in the form of a door molding. In such a case, the luminescent epoxy of the door molding will glow to assist the public in finding the exit door. There may also be advantages in having the body take the form of a chair rail molding. In such a case, the luminescent epoxy of the chair rail molding will glow. If appropriate graphic indicia, such as arrows, were used; the glowing indicia on the chair rail molding could point the way to the exit door.  
           [0009]    Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the luminescent signage components, as described above, even more beneficial results may be obtained when the body is a transparent tubular body and the cavity is an axially extending bore filled with luminescent epoxy. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a detailed side elevation view, in section, of a luminescent signage component constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, having a cavity in a transparent body portion.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 a  is a detailed side elevation in section of a luminescent signage component constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, where the cavities are in dark material.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 b  is a front elevation view of the luminescent signage component illustrated in FIG. 2 a.    
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 a  is a detailed side elevation view, in section, of a luminescent signage component constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, where the body is in the form of a molding.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 b  is a perspective view of the luminescent signage component as illustrated in FIG. 3 a  where the moldings are in a public setting.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4, labelled as PRIOR ART is a perspective view with partial cutaway of a traditional backlit exit sign.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative tubular embodiment of luminescent signage component. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]    Three preferred embodiments of luminescent signage components will now be described. A first embodiment of luminescent signage component, generally indicated by reference numeral  10  will be described with reference to FIG. 1. A second embodiment of luminescent signage component, generally indicated by reference numeral  100  will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b . A third embodiment of luminescent signage component, generally indicated by reference numeral  200  will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b . A fourth embodiment of luminescent signage component, generally indicated by reference numeral  400  will be described with reference to FIG. 5.  
         [0019]    In order to place the present invention in context there will first be described a traditional backlit exit sign system. Referring to FIG. 4, a standard exit sign has an enclosure  12  with a light source  14 . Radiant light  16  from light source  14  passes through translucent indicia  18  indicating to occupants the necessary information. Without backup power, when light source  14  fails, the sign fails.  
         [0020]    Structure and Relationship of Parts of the First Embodiment:  
         [0021]    Referring to FIG. 1, luminescent signage component  10  has a body  20  having a first face  22  and a second face  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, body  20  is in the form of a sign plate. A cavity  26 , defining indicia, is formed out of body  20  on first face  22 . Luminescent epoxy  28  fills cavity  26 . Body  20  is adapted with a transparent portion  30  where cavity  26  is formed. A light source  14  is oriented within an enclosure  12  to shine on second face  24 . Radiant light  16  from light source  14  shines through transparent portion  30  striking luminescent epoxy  28 , charging and illuminating the indicia.  
         [0022]    Operation:  
         [0023]    The use and operation of luminescent signage component  10  will now be described with reference to FIG. 1. Under normal conditions, light source  14  will be powered, illuminating the alpha-numeric characters on front face  22  that is defined by luminescent epoxy  28  within cavity  26 . However, a key advantage of the preferred embodiment is that radiant light  16 , by passing through transparent portion  30 , also stimulates and charges luminescent epoxy  28 . In the event there is a power failure, luminescent epoxy  28  continues to emit luminescent light  32 , without the aid of backup power. Further, as there is substantially more luminescent epoxy within cavity  24 , the effective life of luminescent light  32  is much longer, being a practical alternative to backup power.  
         [0024]    Structure and Relationship of the Parts of the Second Embodiment:  
         [0025]    Referring to FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , luminescent signage component  100  has a body  20  having a first face  22  and a second face  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, body  20  is in the form of a sign plate. A cavity  26 , defining indicia in the form of alpha-numeric characters, is formed out of body  20  on first face  22 . Luminescent epoxy  28  fills cavity  26 . Body  20  is adapted with a reflective coating  34  positioned at the base of cavity  26 , behind luminescent epoxy  28 . Radiant light  16  from a light source  14 , situated so as to shine on first face  22 , passes through luminescent epoxy  28  and reflects off of reflective coating  34 .  
         [0026]    Operation:  
         [0027]    The use and operation of luminescent signage component  100  will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b . Under normal conditions, light source  14  will be powered, casting light on the indicia at front face  22  that is defined by luminescent epoxy  28  within cavity  26 . However, a key advantage of the second preferred embodiment is that radiant light  16 , by passing through luminescent epoxy  28 , reflecting off reflective coating  34  and re-entering luminescent epoxy  28  not only brightens the indicia under normal conditions, but also stimulates and charges luminescent epoxy  28 . In the event there is a power failure, luminescent epoxy  28  continues to emit luminescent light  32 , without the aid of backup lighting. Further, as there is substantially more luminescent epoxy within cavity  24 , the effective life of luminescent light  32  is much longer, being a practical alternative to backup lighting.  
         [0028]    Structure and Relationship of the Parts of the Third Embodiment:  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 3 a , luminescent signage component  200  has a body  20 , first face  22 , second face  24 , cavity  26 , luminescent epoxy  28  and reflective coating  34  as illustrated in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b . However, in the illustrated embodiment, body  20  is in the form of a molding. Referring to FIG. 3 b , a typical exit situation in a public place may have door moldings  38  and chair rail moldings  40 . Each molding has a luminescent epoxy  28 . A light source  14  provides radiant light  16  to illume and charge each indicia defined by each luminescent epoxy  28 .  
         [0030]    Operation:  
         [0031]    The use and operation of luminescent signage component  200  will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b . Under normal conditions, light source  14  will be powered, casting light on the indicia at front face  22  that is defined by luminescent epoxy  28  within cavity  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, in the event of a power failure, luminescent light  32  is emitted from luminescent epoxy  28 , effectively and persistently directing patrons or other occupants to an exit.  
         [0032]    Structure and Relationship of the Parts of the Fourth Embodiment:  
         [0033]    Referring to FIG. 5, luminescent signage component  400  has a transparent tubular body  42  having a cavity  44  and an axially extending bore  46 . Luminescent epoxy  28  is encapsulated by cavity  44  along axially extending bore  46 , such that luminescent light  32  is emitted through transparent tubular body  42 .  
         [0034]    Operation:  
         [0035]    The use and operation of luminescent signage component  400  will now be described with reference to FIG. 5. In the illustrated embodiment, transparent tubular body  42  is flexible, made out of a transparent PVC Vinyl. This allows transparent tubular body  42  to be formed into indicia. It will be appreciated that other Polycarbonate or Acrylic materials are available for use. Once luminescent epoxy  28  is injected into cavity  44 , it can be charged with radiant light  16  from a light source  14 . In the event of a power failure, luminescent light  32  is then emitted from luminescent epoxy  28  through transparent tubular body  42  displaying the desired indicia.  
         [0036]    In describing all four embodiments of the invention, reference has been made to “luminescent epoxy”. The epoxy is composed of a resin and a hardener or activator. The luminescent material is composed of alkaline earth metal aluminum oxide doped with europium. Both the epoxy and the luminescent material are chemically and physically stable and environmentally friendly. The two materials combine to create a luminescent epoxy. The luminescent epoxy is used to fill the cavities in the selected body accordance with the first, second, third or fourth embodiment. The luminescent epoxy then hardens to become tough and durable, with the luminescent material suspended within the epoxy.  
         [0037]    Having regard to the embodiment illustrated and described in FIG. 1, it is believed that the combination of luminescence in a conventional exit sign housing is unique. Once the teachings of the present invention are understood, it may be possible to retrofit thousands of conventional exit signs to include luminescence. The inlaying of the luminescence material, as described above, is to be preferred because it greatly increases the strength of the luminescence. However, beneficial results may be obtained even if a luminescent overlay is used instead of an inlay.  
         [0038]    In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.  
         [0039]    It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.