Abstract:
An illuminated exit bar incorporates a light source within the elongated space defined between a door-mounted housing and a push bar. The push bar defines an elongated opening for light generated within the exit bar. An exit plate covers the push bar opening and defines light transmissive openings in the form of exit instructions. An exit insert of light transmissive material is configured to be complementary to the exit plate. Light is gathered from within the exit plate and conducted to the push face of the exit bar to provide illuminated words and/or symbolic instructions for egress. The illuminated light bar is configurable for installation on left or right hand opening doors by electrically altering the pattern of internal illumination and assembling some parts in alternative configurations. The illuminated exit bar is compatible with electronic building security systems. The pattern of illuminated instructions can be remotely altered to reflect changed security conditions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of push bars or exit bars which allow egress through a doorway. More particularly, this invention relates to an illuminated exit bar. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Push bars or exit bars which allow egress through a doorway while limiting ingress are well known components of door security and emergency systems. The conventional exit bar is mounted on the inside of the door to be secured and is oriented generally horizontally across the face of the door. A push force on the bar toward the door face actuates a door release mechanism to permit opening of the door. Conventional exit bars typically employ a mechanical linkage to actuate a latch mechanism for unlatching the door. In security systems employing electromagnetic locks, the release mechanism is typically some form of electric switch which, when actuated, removes or applies electric current to the electromagnetic lock. 
     Exit bars may be integrated with security and fire alarm systems. Integration typically involves providing each exit bar with electronic or electromechanical actuation means responsive to the fire alarm and/or security system that permit remote locking or unlocking of doors equipped with the exit bar. Such an electromagnetic latch retractor for an exit bar is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,104,594, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. 
     Building and fire codes typically require facilities frequented by the public to be equipped with emergency lighting and exit signs which provide light and directional indications in emergency situations when building electricity may be cut off. In many non-emergency situations room lighting may be dimmed for any number of reasons, making it difficult for persons attempting egress through a doorway equipped with an exit bar to determine the exact position of the exit bar and/or the opening direction of the door. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an exit bar that provides visual and directional aids that are visible under all lighting conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is an exit bar provided with a light emitting push pad. Several arrays of light sources are mounted within the exit bar housing to emit light through light transmissive portions of the push pad. In one preferred embodiment, the light transmissive portions of the push pad are configured in the form of written instructions such as “PUSH TO EXIT”. In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the light transmissive portions of the push bar are color coded by the use of colored light transmissive material in the push pad or colored light sources internal to the exit bar. Another aspect of the present invention permits the light source to change the pattern and color of illumination to indicate an altered security state for the doorway. 
     More particularly, the exit bar includes housing which is mounted generally horizontally across the interior face of a door. A push bar is supported in the housing for reciprocal movement toward and away from the face of the door. The push bar supports a push pad that defines an exposed push face for receiving a push force. A link system supports the push bar relative to the housing while springs bias the push bar away from the door. A push force applied to the push pad moves the push bar toward the door and releases a latch device to unlatch the door. The latch device may be a mechanical latch and linkage, electromechanical, e.g., servo-controlled or simply a switch. 
     The present invention will be described in the context of an exit bar configured for use in conjunction with a doorway equipped with an electric or electromagnetic lock releasable by an electronic signal. Those of skill in the art will recognize that such an exit bar does not include a latch mechanism mechanically linked to the push bar. However, the principles of the invention are equally applicable to all types of exit bars. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the push bar defines an opening covered by the push pad, which in turn includes light transmissive portions positioned over the opening. Light sources are arranged inside the exit bar to radiate light through the light transmissive portions of the push pad to provide an illuminated push face for the exit bar. 
     In accordance with one particular aspect of the invention, the array of light sources comprises arranged a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged on a printed circuit (PC) board. A second PC board carries a switch. The switch and its associated PC board are supported such that a push force exerted on the push pad actuates the switch. The switch serves as the actuation device by sending a signal to the building security system to release the electromagnetic lock for the doorway. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, more than one group of LEDs are arranged on the PC board in a pattern which will illuminate all or a portion of the exit instructions defined by the light transmissive portions of the push pad. Under normal circumstances, the entire message, e.g., “PUSH TO EXIT”, will be illuminated. Under other circumstances, such as when the push bar is depressed or the building security system has released the locks on the exit door, an alternative set of LEDs will illuminate only, e.g., the word “EXIT”. The alternative patterns of LEDs may be of alternative color. For example, the array of LEDs which illuminates the full exit instructions may be red while the alternative array of LEDs which illuminates only a portion of the exit instructions may be green. The exit instructions and colors discussed herein are exemplary and it will be understood that other instructions and colors and patterns of illumination are within the scope of the present invention. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the exit bar has a reversible configuration for use on a left hand or right hand opening door. The housing and push bar are uniform extrusions. The LED arrays include alternative patterns that are electrically configurable for left hand or right hand operation. The push pad is installed adjacent the opening side of the door. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved exit bar having improved visibility in low light conditions. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved exit bar with illuminated exit instructions that can be remotely altered to reflect changed building security conditions. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved exit bar with illuminated exit instructions that is reconfigurable for a left or right hand opening doorway. 
    
    
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front exterior view, partly broken away, of an illuminated exit bar in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the illuminated exit bar shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line  2 — 2  thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the right end of the illuminated exit bar contained within line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 3 a  is a right-end view of the illuminated exit bar shown in FIG. 1 with the end block removed; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the illuminated exit bar shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 shows the exit bar of FIG. 4 with the push bar removed; 
     FIG. 6 shows the exit bar of FIG. 4 with the end blocks, push bar and end caps removed and shown in a reversed position; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged exterior view of the left end of the illuminated exit bar shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the left end of the illuminated exit bar contained within line  8 — 8  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an exit plate, partially in phantom, suitable for use in conjunction with the illuminated exit bar of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 10 is a longitudinal side view, partially in phantom, of the exit plate shown in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view through the exit plate shown in FIG. 9 taken along line  11 — 11  thereof; 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the right end portion of the exit plate contained within line  12 — 12  of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an exit insert for use in conjunction with the exit plate of FIGS. 9-12; 
     FIG. 14 is an end view of the exit insert shown in FIG. 13; and 
     FIG. 15 is a wiring diagram for the illuminated exit bar of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several Figures, a preferred embodiment of an illuminated exit bar in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the numeral  10 . FIGS. 1 and 4 show an illuminated exit bar  10  as it would appear to a person attempting egress through a door equipped with the exit bar. The illuminated exit bar  10  is configured to be mounted in a horizontal position across the interior face of a door (not illustrated). The illuminated exit bar  10  has a length that is preferably sufficiently long to substantially span the width of the door. Generally speaking, the door will have a hinge edge and an opening edge. The terms “hinge edge” and “opening edge” will be understood to refer to that end of the item being discussed that is directed toward the corresponding edge of the door. 
     The illuminated exit bar  10  includes a longitudinally extending housing  12  mountable to the door by means of end brackets  13  and fasteners. A preferred embodiment of the housing  12  employs an extrusion which defines longitudinally extending features configured to support or interact with other components of the illuminated exit bar  10 . Fastener receptacles defined by the housing extrusion receive fasteners passing through a molded end block  14  as shown in FIG.  7 . The end blocks  14  provide a finished appearance to the ends of the assembled illuminated light bar  10 . 
     A push bar  20  is supported for reciprocal movement relative to the housing  12 . A preferred embodiment of the push bar  20  comprises a longitudinally extending extrusion (see FIG. 3A) configured for reception between the outer longitudinal walls  11  of the housing  12 . Fasteners pass through end caps  26  to engage fastener receptacles defined by the extruded push bar  20 . As best seen in FIGS. 3,  3 A and  8 , the end caps  26  connect the push bar  20  to the longitudinally spaced linkages that support the push bar  20  for reciprocal movement relative to the housing  12 . A spring  27  biases the push bar  20  toward a position projecting from the housing  12 . 
     The push bar also defines a longitudinally extending, outward facing channel  45  that receives and retains components defining a push face  80  for receiving a push force. Legs  47  on the push bar extrusion project generally perpendicular to the push face  80  and provide structural rigidity to the push bar. The legs  47  also define the limit of inward movement of the push bar relative to the housing by contacting shoulders  17  projecting inwardly from the longitudinal walls  11  of the housing  12 . A longitudinally extended opening  53  in the push bar extrusion central web  54  permits light generated inside the illuminated exit bar to pass outwardly through the components defining the push face  80 . 
     In the illustrated preferred embodiment the push face  80  of the illuminated exit bar  10  is defined by an exit plate  22  which receives an exit insert  24 . The exit plate  22  includes longitudinal lips  23  that are received in the channel  45  of the push bar  20 . Depending on whether the illuminated exit bar is configured for a left or right-hand opening door, the exit plate  22  and received exit insert  24  will be installed adjacent the left or right ends, respectively, of the push bar  20 . FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrate an illuminated exit bar  10  configured for a right-hand opening door, for example. A dress plate  16  abuts the hinge end of the exit plate  22  to cover the longitudinally extending opening  53  in the push bar  20  and present a finished appearance for the face of the assembled illuminated light bar  10 . 
     The configuration of the exit plate  22  is best illustrated in FIGS. 9-12. A preferred embodiment of the exit plate  12  is molded from plastic such as ABS plastic. The molded exit plate  12  defines a generally rectangular pocket  21  facing the interior of the exit bar. In the illustrated embodiment, openings  25  spelling “PUSH TO EXIT” extend between the pocket and the push face  80  of the exit plate  22 . The laterally opposed ends of the exit plate taper to meet the end cap  26  and dress plate  16 . The pocket  21  and openings  25  spelling “PUSH TO EXIT” defined by the exit plate  22  are configured to closely receive an exit insert  24  as illustrated FIGS. 13 and 14. 
     A preferred embodiment of the exit insert  24  is molded from light transmissive plastic material such as ABS plastic. The body of the exit insert  24  is configured to correspond to the pocket  21  defined in the exit plate  22 . Raised letters  19  spelling “PUSH TO EXIT” project from one side of the exit insert  24  complementary to the openings  25  through the exit plate  22 . The exit insert  24  is inserted into the pocket  21  of the exit plate  22 . When so assembled, the raised letters  19  projecting from the exit insert  24  substantially fill the openings  25  through the push face  80  of the exit plate  22 . 
     The light transmissive properties of the exit insert  24  serve to collect light generated inside the illuminated exit bar  10  and conduct it to the push face  80 . The assembled exit plate  22  and exit insert  24  are inserted into the push bar channel  45  with the lips  23  on the exit plate  22  engaged under complementary lips of the push bar channel  45 . A dress plate  16  configured to fill the space between a hinge end of the exit plate  22  and the end cap  26  is then inserted to complete the appearance of the push face  80 . Fasteners through each end cap  26  engage the fastener receptacles in the push bar  20  to trap the exit plate  22  and dress plate  16  in their assembled configuration. 
     In accordance with one feature of the preferred embodiment, the illuminated exit bar  10  is configured to be compatible with both left and right-hand opening doors. FIG. 4 illustrates an illuminated exit bar  10  configured for use with a right-hand opening door. In a right-hand opening configuration the exit plate  22  is arranged adjacent the side of the exit bar where the door will open, e.g., the right end. With the push bar  20  removed in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the PC board  30  with a plurality of LEDs  32 ,  34   a ,  34   b  is arranged in a position behind the exit plate  22  of FIG.  4 . Light emitted by the LEDs is collected by the exit insert  24  and transmitted to the push face  80  to illuminate the exit instructions “PUSH TO EXIT”. 
     Three parallel arrays of LEDs are fixed to the PC board  30 . The first array  32  is arranged generally on the longitudinal median of the PC board and extends the length of the exit instructions. Second and third shorter arrays  34   a ,  34   b  are arranged above and below portions of the first LED array  32 . A switch  40  permits routing of power to either the second or third shorter arrays  34   a ,  34   b . For the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the switch is shown in a right-hand configuration that will route energy to the short LED array  34   a  behind the word “EXIT”. 
     Under normal building security conditions, the door to which the illuminated exit bar  10  is fixed will be latched until released by a push force applied to the push face  80  of the push bar  20 . Under such normal building security conditions, the extended first LED array  32  will be provided with energy to illuminate the entire exit instructions “PUSH TO EXIT”. Upon pushing the push bar  20 , switch  40  actuates to reroute power from the extended LED array  32  to shorter arrays  34   a  or  34   b  to illuminate only the word “EXIT”. On some occasions, such as an emergency or the end of a large gathering, the exit doors may be released. Signals are transmitted by the building security system to apply energizing power only the second or third LED array  34   a ,  34   b  behind the word “EXIT”, with the first array  32  being extinguished. Only the word “EXIT” will be illuminated at the end of the exit plate designating the opening direction of the door. Thus, instructions to pedestrians approaching the exit door can be tailored to meet circumstances. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the illuminated exit bar  10  with the push bar  20 , end caps  14  and end blocks  26  removed and rotated 180° for installation on a left-hand opening door. The PC board  30  is adjacent the left-hand or opening end of the housing  12 . The housing  12  and push bar  20  are extrusions that have a generally uniform transverse cross section. The exit plate  22  and its associated exit insert  24  are installed in the left-hand end of the push bar channel  45  over the PC board-mounted LED arrays  32 ,  34   a ,  34   b.    
     The position of the hand-select switch  36  is reversed to provide energy to the short array of LEDs  34   b  now arranged behind the word “EXIT”. This array  34   b  was formerly in the upper left of the PC board as seen in FIG.  5 . Thus, to configure the illuminated exit bar  10  for installation on a left-hand opening door, the installation of the exit bar housing is reversed, the location of the slide switch is reversed, and the exit plate is inserted in the left-hand end of the push bar channel  45 . 
     FIG. 15 illustrates the electrical wiring of the PC board  30  and associated actuation switch  40 . Cables  60 ,  62  connect each exit bar to the building security system, bringing power to the illuminated exit bar and also receiving signals from the actuation switch  40 . A cable connector  37  is arranged the hinge end of the PC board  30  for connecting to cable  60 . With reference to FIGS. 2,  3  and  3 A, a small PC board  44  carrying the actuation switch  40  is supported by a bracket  42 . The bracket  42  holds the actuation switch  40  adjacent internal components of the exit bar such that when the push bar  20  is moved toward the door, the actuation switch  40  changes state. Actuation switch  40  functions to reroute power from the extended LED array  32  to the shorter array  34   a  or  34   b  to illuminate only the word “EXIT”. The state of actuation switch  40  may also be monitored by the building security system through cables  60 ,  62 . The building security system may communicate with the exit bar via the cables  60 ,  62  to change the illumination pattern of the PC board as described above. The security system may release the latch on the exit door or the actuation switch  40  may directly release the latch. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the foregoing invention has been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.