DIRECTIONAL PEDESTRIAN INFORMATION AID

Abstract: A tactile directional pedestrian information aid which has raised or indented features (11 and 12), which are capable of imparting directional information by tactile interrogation, such as by the hand or fingers brushing over the raised features. The distinct difference in tactile qualities of the raised or indented features, e.g. shape or texture of (11 and 12), are capable by interpretation of imparting correctness of travel direction, incorrectness of travel direction, or a requirement for a change in direction of travel. This tactile directional pedestrian information aid shall be capable of attachment to, or form an integral part of a suitable supporting medium (10).

Description: DIRECTIONAL PEDESTRIAN INFORMATION AID This invention relates to a tactile directional pedestrian information aid. Exit signs are a well known and adopted method of directing people towards stairways and safe exit points during everyday use and in the case of an emergency such as a fire. Such signs are often illuminated to assist safe exit in low light situations. These signs are, however, limited in their effectiveness by the essential necessity of the exiting person being able to see them. The ability to assimilate the directional information may be impaired or negated by either the physical capabilities of the exiting person, for example partial sight or blindness, or by local conditions such as smoke, fumes, low-light or darkness. According to the present invention there is provided a tactile directional pedestrian information aid comprising raised or indented distinctive features which are capable of being affixed to a suitable supporting medium which may be in the form of a material being adapted to fix to a wall or wall feature, or may comprise part of the wall or building feature itself and which act to determine the proper direction of exit when contacted by a sensory part of the body, such as a hand, according to the feature's distinguishing shape or texture. Suitable signs or other such instructional material shall avail the person of the interpretation of the taction. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows in perspective the raised features on a suitable medium; Figs. 2 - 4 illustrate the transmission of tactile directional information to the pedestrian or evacuee. Referring to the drawings, the tactile directional pedestrian information aid comprises raised or indented distinctive features 11 and 12 having a distinguishing shape or texture which are capable of being affixed to a suitable supporting medium 10 as shown in Fig 1 which may be, for example, a strip of self-adhesive vinyl fixed to a wall at a reasonable height, or other suitable foπn of a material being adapted to fix to a wall or wall feature (not shown). In order for the person to assess the correct direction in which to move towards the exit from the aid, the hand or other suitable part of the body must brush over the raised features 1 1 and 12. Referring to Fig. 2, if the hand moves across the features 11 in die direction as illustrated, a very distinct step is felt, indicating movement in the wrong direction, away from the exit. Referring to Fig. 3, the hand moving over the sloped features 11 or other shaped feature (not shown) in the direction as illustrated, detects a much gentler resistance. This reduced resistance indicates movement in the correct direction, towards the exit. Referring to Fig. 4, a distinctly different feature 12 indicates that the person must make a turn, for example at 90°, and walk forward towards an exit or more tactile directional information aids.

Claims: CLAIMS A tactile directional pedestrian information aid comprising raised or indented distinctive features which act to determine the direction of exit by tactile interrogation when contacted by a sensory part of the body, such as a hand, according to the feature's distinguishing shape or texture and which are capable of being affixed to a suitable supporting medium A tactile directional pedestrian information aid as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a suitable supporting medium could comprise a wall, structure, building feature, fixture or fitting, or material being adapted to fix to a wall, structure, building feature, fixture or fitting A tactile directional pedestrian information aid as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a suitable supporting medium could provide or embody luminescence A tactile directional pedestrian information aid as claimed in any preceding claim which can be affixed to suitable supporting structure or media along a route to a predefined point which may be a suitable safe exit or place, or other feature of a building or structure, or an emergency exit from a form of transport

Inventors: MOORE JACQUELINE ANNE, MOORE, JACQUELINE, ANNE
Applicants: MOORE JACQUELINE ANNE, MOORE, JACQUELINE, ANNE
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A61H3
IPC codes: A61F9, A61H3, G08B5