PROCEDURE TO INDICATE AN ESCAPE ROUTE USING PHOTOLUMINESCENT OBJECTS AND FOR THIS PURPOSE APPROPRIATE OBJECTS

Abstract: Passive luminous objects to be mounted to, on or in the near vicinity of lamps or light armatures to indicate an escape route. Said objects preferably have a three-dimensional arrow shape, and are photoluminescent based on oxydes of aluminium, boron, calcium, europium or strontium. Said objects may also be represented as printed, painted, or by other means reproduced arrows on light armatures, lamps or other light sources.

Description: PROCEDU^E TO INDICATE AN ESCAPE ROUTE USING PHOTOLUMINESCENT OBJECTS AND FOR THIS PURPOSE APPROPRIATE OBJECTS . The invention relates to a procedure to indicate an exit and particularly an escape route within a building or other locations using passive luminous objects / such as photoluminescent or phosphorecent objects. These procedures are known as such. In known procedures said objects are fixed on the floor, walls or around exit doors. Especially escape route indicators on floors are common in, for instance, aircraft and public buildings. It is assumed, that during an emergency, especially in case of a fire, the floor will remain visible for the longest period of time, and hence, the floor would be ideally suitable to place the objects. This prejudice is dismissed by the invented procedure according to a characteristic aspect of the invention, that said objects are placed on, at or in the near vicinity of light armatures or lamps within a building. The invention is based on the fact, that in such a manner an optimally illuminated object will irradiate more light than an object, placed at relatively longer distance from a lamp. Moreover, the distance between the eyes of an observer and an object fixed to a lamp is generally closer compared to the distance to an object placed at ground level. Furthermore, photoluminescent objects placed at ground level may be obscured by escaping occupants or furniture, making them less noticeable. Further, emergency situations could be envisioned characterized by electric- light failure without smoke development. In such events said objects, which are highly placed and are as such noticeable to everybody while additionally resulting in a runway-like light trail have an additional advantage. Finally, said objects placed at ground level may get easily soiled or scratched thus becoming less effective while requiring periodic maintenance. Said objects, when fixed to floors, may also need to be moved as the lay-out of a building changes, a regularly recurring event in department stores. The inventive procedure uses commonly present light sources and does not require periodic maintenance. Compared to said objects fixed to a floor, thus enevitably damaging the floor's surface, the inventive procedure is substantially more adventageous . A favourable realization according to an aspect of the invention is characterized by the three-dimensional form of said objects and their placement at two meters height or higher. The three-dimensional form warrants proper visibility and recognizability at distance, also at relatively low placement, while the height of placement appears to be a favourable compromise between proper visibility at distance on one hand and distance to the eyes of occupants on the other. A favourable realization according to an aspect of the invention, with optimal illumination of said object by a light source, is characterized by said objects being fixed directly to a light source using clips. Apart from an optimal light transfer, this configuration allows simple installation without any supporting logistic measures. Another favourable realization according to an aspect of the invention is characterized by said objects being fixed to light armatures using bows or clips. This realization is especially important in situations with lamps inside relatively deep armatures, with said objects if placed directly on the lamps becoming less visible. Another favourable realization according to an aspect of the invention is characterized by said objects placed inside light armature covers, or attached to light armatures or on ceiling sections close to light sources, or by objects painted, printed or represented on light armatures, lamps or ceiling sections close to light sources, using photoluminescent paint or paste. The invention further relates to passive luminous, photoluminescent or phosphorecent objects to indicate an exit and an escape route in particular, with the characteristic that said object is provided with a bow, clip, adapter or self-adhesive strip for its fixation to a light armature or lamp or ceiling. In a favourable configuration according to an aspect of the invention, said object is characterized by a three- dimensional form, which may considerably enhance visibility and recognizability at distance, especially when said objects are placed relatively low. In another favourable configuration according to an aspect of the invention, said object is characterized by incorporation of alu iniumoxide, boronoxide, calciumoxide, europiumoxide, strontiumoxide or substances based on SrAl to obtain photoluminescent properties. The advantage of these substances compared to the commonly used phosphorescent substances, such as those based on ZnO, is the higher light saturation levels, leading to relatively higher photoluminescence intensities when previously exposed to high intensity illumination. The invention further relates to a light armature or lamp, with painted or printed escape route indicators using photoluminescent paint or paste directly applied or using a foil with or without a self-adhesive strip. The invention will be further explained based on the following drawing, with figures in which: Fig. 1A is a front view of a photoluminescent arrow, which may be fixed to a light armature with lamellae; Fig. IB is a cross section of this arrow; Fig. 2A is a front view of a photoluminescent arrow, which may be fixed to a ceiling or wall in the near vicinity of a light source; Fig. 2B is a cross section of this arrow; Fig. 3 is a universal adapter clip for fixing an arrow to a light armature with lamellae; Fig. 4 are a few photoluminescent clips fixed to a light tube; Fig. 5 are a few photoluminescent clips fixed to a light armature with lamellae; Fig. 6 is a light armature comprising a plastic cover with a photoluminescent arrow stuck or painted on its surface. Figure 1A represents a front view of photoluminescent arrow 1, which may be fixed to a light armature with lamellae using universal adapter 2. Arrow 1 is made of a translucent, rigid plastic, preferably flame retardent, such as polycarbonate. The plastic further includes a new generation of photoluminescent substances, such as aluminiumoxide, boronoxide, calciumoxide, europiumoxide, strontiumoxide or substances based on SrAl. In the normal situation the substances accumulate light energy generated by the lamps inside the light armature. Light energy will be accumulated until an equilibrium is established between light accumulated and light emitted by photoluminescence. As the invention allows substances to be exposed to high light intensities by their placement in the near vicinity of the light source, substances will also return light at relatively high intensity through photoluminescence upon switching off the lamps. By approximation light intensity decreases quadraticly with distance, implying that light intensity of an arrow placed at thirtyfive centimeter distance from a lamp is about fifty times stronger than that of an arrow placed at ground level, assuming distance between lamp to floor equals two and a half meter. The photoluminescent substances described above are especially effective when illuminated by a source rich in blue and ultra-violet light. Fluorescent tube (TL) and lamp lights (PL) and in general lamps, which are based on mercury vapour discharge, are sources with a considerable portion of blue and ultra-violet light, and are therefore extremely suitable in this application. Also modern sulfur- lamps, especially when used in combination with so called light conveying pipes are very appropriate to illuminate photoluminescent objects, which may be directly fixed to or incorporated within this conveying pipe. Figure IB represents a side view of photoluminescent arrow 1, which may be fixed to a light armature with lamellae using a universal adapter 2. For this purpose the universal adapter 2 comprises hooks 3, 4, which may be hooked on to the transverse lamella of a light armature, as well as clips 5, 6, pressing against the lamella for a flat positioning of the arrow. Photoluminescent arrow 1 has a three-dimensional form, which significantly enhances its visibility at distance, especially at relatively low placement of arrow 1. Pins 7 allow for additional fixation of arrow 1 along a longitudinal lamella, if present. Figure 2A represents a front view of photoluminescent arrow 1, which may be fixed to a ceilng or wall in the near vicinity of a light source, using screw 8 through the centre hole of arrow 1. Actually arrow 1 is identical to the arrow described in Figure 1; only the type of fixation differs. Figure 2B represents a front view of photoluminescent arrow 1, which may be fixed to a ceiling or wall in the near vicinity of a light source, using screw 8 and optional plug 9. An additional small hole needs to be drilled accomodating pins 7 to secure the arrow. Figure 3 represents an optional configuration of a universal adapterclip, allowing fixation of an arrow to a light armature with lamellae. Bottom part 10 is supposed to be clicked inside the centre hole of the arrow, as indicated in Figure IB, additionally allowing adjustment of arrow direction in eight positions. Upper parts 11a, lib comprise a large number hook shaped structures, allowing their fixation to practically every common lamella armature. At fixation lamella is enclosed between parts 11a, lib and supporting structures 12a, 12b, for a flat positioning of the arrow. Figure 4 represents few photoluminescent clips 14, 15 fixed to a tube light, which are easy to produce and easy to mount. Fixed directly on the light tube, a maximum intensity of photoluminescence will be achieved. Additionally the three-dimensional form allows their visibility at distance while clearly indicating a direction. Figure 5 represents few photoluminescent clips 17, 18 fixed to lamella 16 of a light armature, which are also easy to produce and easy to mount. Their visibility is excellent, but they do not indicate a specific direction. However, by arranging these clips in a certain pattern at regular spacing, a runway-like effect may be realized, clearly indicating an escape route. Figure 6 represents a light armature 19 comprising a plastic cover 20 with a photoluminescent arrow attached or painted on its surface, or integrated within its surface. Said photoluminescent objects fixed directly on a lamp or armature are continually illuminated at superfluous light intensities. This does not present difficulties. Performance in the situation described above may be improved by introduction of a one-directional reflection (self-adhesive) sheeting, foil or coating between lamp and said object, such that normal light passes through, while photoluminescence will be reflected downwards, thus enhancing its visibility.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Procedure to indicate an exit and an escape route within a building in particular, using passive luminous objects, such as photoluminescent or phosphorescent objects, characterized in that said objects are fixed on, to or in the near vicinity of light armatures or lamps, as present within locations like buildings, aircraft . , ships or tunnels. 2. Procedure according to claim 1, characterized in that, said objects have a three-dimensional form, which may be placed at a height of two meter or higher. 3. Procedure according to claim 1, characterized in that said objects are fixed with clips directly to or on lamps. 4. Procedure according to claim 1, characterized in that said objects are fixed directly to light armatures using bows or adapter-clips. 5. Procedure according to claim 1, characterized in that said objects are placed within or stuck to light armatures, or attached to a ceiling in the near vicinity of a light source. 6. Procedure according to claim 1, characterized in that said objects are painted, printed or reproduced by other means on light armatures or lamps or a ceiling in the near vicinity of a light source, using passive luminous substances . 7. Passive luminous, photoluminescent or phosphoricent object to indicate an exit or, particularly an escape route, characterized in that said object is provided with a bow or adapter-clip or self-adhesive strip to allow its fixation to a light armature, lamp or ceiling. 8. Passive luminous object according to claim 7, characterized in that said object is adjustable by means of an adapter clip in a fixed number of directions. 9. Passive luminous object according to claim 7, characterized in that said object has a three-dimensional form. 10. Passive luminous object according to claim 7, characterized in that said object contains aluminiumoxide, boronoxide, calciumoxide, europiumoxide, strontiumoxide or substances based on SrAl, resulting in photoluminescent properties . 11. Passive luminous object according to claim 7, characterized in that said object is translucent, implying that said object is practically invisible under normal lighting conditions. 12. Passive luminous object according to claim 7, characterized in that said object includes a one- directional foil or coating to enhance downward photoluminescence intensity. 13. Light armature, lamp or light conveying pipe or foil or light source with escape route indicators represented, painted or printed, using passive luminous substances.

Inventors: LOEVENSTEIN HARRIE MAURICE, LOEVENSTEIN, HARRIE, MAURICE
Applicants: ARIDVICE BEHEER B V, LOEVENSTEIN HARRIE MAURICE, ARIDVICE BEHEER B.V., LOEVENSTEIN, HARRIE, MAURICE
Application year: 2000
Main classification: F21K2
IPC codes: F21K2