Abstract:
Escape path marking for an aircraft having a plurality of photoluminescent elements glow in the dark and of which each has a carrier element that is provided for attaching to a subsurface, characterised in that the carrier element has connecting edges on one or both end sides, the edges having an arc-shaped progression or having at least two sections not extending perpendicular to an orientation axis of the carrier element disposed perpendicularly on a cross section in the region of the connecting edge, the orientation axes of two carrier elements disposed successively enclosing an angle with each other.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to an escape path marking for an aircraft. 
         [0004]    It is known to arrange photoluminescent strips on the floor of the aircraft for escape path marking in aircraft, which is also denoted as emergency marking. Photoluminescence is occasionally also denoted as afterglow and/or phosphorescence. The safety requirements are, for example, specified in the German Industry Standard DIN 67 510. The strips are laid in a straight line in the floor and direct the passengers and crew in the event of an emergency to the doors and emergency exits. In the past, photoluminescent strips have become increasingly accepted in the design of aircraft, as said strips are fail-safe and may be operated without a power supply. 
         [0005]    An emergency lighting system is known, for example, from WO 96/33093 A1, in which a photoluminescent strip is arranged in a transparent carrier element. The carrier element may in this case be configured in one, two or three parts. Each carrier element has an elongate, rectangular shape and may accordingly be laid at a 90° and 180° orientation to a further carrier element. 
         [0006]    A photoluminescent reflective sheet is known from WO 94/17766 A1. It is proposed to produce elongate strips from the two-dimensional material. 
         [0007]    A photoluminescent escape path marking is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,050 which consists of elongate strips. Arrows are provided as directional indicators for the marked escape path. 
         [0008]    Directional indicators for the escape path are known from WO 87/02813 A1 which operate by photoluminescent means which are arranged along the aisle of the aircraft as separate disconnected arrows on the floor. 
         [0009]    A durable fluorescing layer is known from EP 0 489 561 A1 in which colour pigments are incorporated in a polymer matrix. In this case, the fluorescent material may be incorporated in a carrier, which provides the fluorescent light with different optical properties by means of additional filters. 
         [0010]    Safety signs backed with photoluminescent material are known from FR 2 308 155 A1. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,300 discloses an assembly for photoluminescent material as may be used on stairways and in road traffic situations. 
         [0012]    It may be observed nowadays that requirements are changing for designing furniture for passenger cabins. In particular, there is a trend no longer to provide rectangular furniture but furniture with curved contours. In addition to the aesthetic effect of curved furniture, for example seat benches with a curved external contour, cupboards and counters in the service area, curved furniture also has safety advantages as the passengers, for example, may become injured less easily. Furniture of increasingly complicated design in the passenger cabin also makes it necessary to be able to adapt the escape path marking thereto in a flexible manner. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The object of the present invention is to provide an escape path marking, which may be adapted by simple means to the most varied requirements and designs in the passenger cabin of an aircraft. 
         [0014]    The escape path marking according to the invention is provided for an aircraft and has a plurality of photoluminescent elements which glow in the dark, in order to indicate the escape path. Each of the photoluminescent elements is arranged in a carrier element which is provided for attaching to a subsurface, for example by bonding or a screw connection. The carrier element according to the invention has connecting edges at its ends, which form the boundary with the subsequent carrier element. According to the invention, the connecting edges are configured such that said connecting edges extend either in a curved manner or in at least two sections do not extend perpendicular to an orientation axis of the carrier element disposed perpendicularly on a cross section in the region of the connecting edge. With a carrier element extending in a linear manner, the orientation axis coincides with a central longitudinal axis, and with a curved carrier element the orientation axis is located in the extension of the curved central longitudinal axis. The connecting edges extend either in an arcuate manner or have a plurality of sections which do not extend perpendicular to the orientation axis. Expediently, the sections extend respectively at a different angle relative to the orientation axis. 
         [0015]    In the connecting edges according to the invention which do not extend perpendicular to the orientation axis, two carrier elements disposed successively enclose an angle with each other which may differ by 90° and 180°. The embodiment of the carrier element according to the invention makes it possible to lay said carrier elements in arcs for an escape path marking. A curved escape path marking thus formed may particularly easily adopt the contours of the furniture in the passenger cabin. Other shapes may also be adopted by the escape path marking, so that as a whole said escape path marking may be more easily adapted to the requirements of the escape path to be marked. Relative to the known escape path markings, in which individual elements always abut one another at right angles or in a straight line, the carrier elements according to the invention make it possible to lay out an escape path marking in any curves or paths. 
         [0016]    In a preferred embodiment, the carrier elements are configured in a linear and symmetrical manner relative to their central longitudinal axis. The carrier element which has a symmetrical connecting edge has the advantage that left and right carrier elements are indistinguishable and a carrier element may be used both for a left curved bend and also a right curved bend of the escape path marking. 
         [0017]    In an expedient embodiment, the connecting edges of carrier elements arranged in succession abut one another in a two-dimensional manner along one section. 
         [0018]    In one possible embodiment, the connecting edges are configured as a polygonal outline. If two connecting edges are positioned against one another in this embodiment, said connecting edges bear against one another in the region of a polygonal section in a two-dimensional manner. 
         [0019]    In an alternative embodiment, the connecting edge in at least one section is of curved configuration. Preferably, a circular shape may be used as the curvature of the connecting edge. 
         [0020]    In a particularly expedient embodiment, the carrier element at one end has a first connecting edge and at its second end has a second connecting edge. The first and second connecting edges preferably have a complementary shape. In this embodiment, the complementary shapes of the connecting edges are adapted to one another, particularly in order to produce a connection which has the greatest possible surface area between two adjacent carrier elements. 
         [0021]    In a preferred embodiment, the complementary shape in the connecting edges is configured such that a positive connection is possible between the carrier elements. The positive connection anchors the carrier elements to one another and prevents said carrier elements in the assembled state from being able to be displaced relative to one another in the longitudinal direction. In particular, the positive connection may be configured such that the carrier elements may be steplessly adjusted relative to one another in their angular position. 
         [0022]    In a particular embodiment, two adjacent carrier elements are connected to one another via a connecting piece. The connecting piece connects the carrier elements in the manner of a link chain. A particular advantage of the connected carrier elements is that said carrier elements may be more easily arranged and aligned on the subsurface by their fastening. 
         [0023]    In a preferred embodiment, the connecting piece is configured as an elongate element which has anchoring pins at its ends. Preferably, the anchoring pins are arranged in recesses on the underside of the carrier elements. In this manner, the connecting pieces ensure the correct spacing between the carrier elements and make it possible to move and align a chain of carrier elements accordingly. 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment, adapter elements are provided which respectively carry a photoluminescent element and have two connecting edges, the shapes thereof being adapted to the shape of the connecting edge of the carrier element. Carrier elements may be positioned on both sides against the adapter element at different angles. The adapter element is preferably configured with an arcuate convex design, and the carrier element has an arcuate concave design, in order to be able to align the adapter element and carrier element relative to one another in a predetermined angular range. The connection of the adapter elements makes it possible to describe particularly narrow radii when laying the carrier elements. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    Preferred embodiments are described hereinafter in more detail with reference to the figures, in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  shows carrier elements of an escape path marking which are arranged adjacent to one another in an arc, 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a cross section through a carrier element of  FIG. 1 , 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a chain of carrier elements arranged in succession, which describe an arc, 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a cross section through one of the carrier elements, 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a row of elements arranged in succession, the carrier elements having a projecting head, which is arranged in a recess of the adjacent element, 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  shows a chain of carrier elements, which are connected at their ends via a tongue and groove connection to one another, 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  shows a cross section through the connection of the carrier elements in the edge region, 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  shows a carrier element in a view from below, 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  shows carrier elements, which are connected to one another via connecting pieces, the ends of the carrier elements being closed via curved caps, 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  shows a chain of carrier elements, which are connected to one another via connecting pieces, and have curved end caps, 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  shows carrier elements which are provided for the end of the chain and which have a curved end cap, 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  shows a further embodiment of carrier elements, the carrier elements thereof having a tubular structure and being closed via curved end caps, 
           [0038]      FIG. 13  shows a cross section through the tubular carrier element of  FIG. 12 , 
           [0039]      FIG. 14  shows the structure of a carrier element, which is closed via an end cap, and has bores as well as countersunk portions for a screw connection with the subsurface, 
           [0040]      FIG. 15  shows an arrangement of elements with adapter elements arranged therebetween, 
           [0041]      FIG. 16  shows a chain of elements which have either rounded connecting edges or pointed connecting edges, 
           [0042]      FIG. 17  shows an arrangement of elements in a view from the upper face and from the lower face, which are connected to one another via connecting pieces, and 
           [0043]      FIG. 18  shows a schematic plan view of a front section of an aircraft passenger cabin. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0044]    While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein a specific preferred embodiment of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated. 
         [0045]      FIG. 1  shows a series of carrier elements  12  which are arranged along a curved path. Each of the carrier elements  12  has an outwardly bulged convex connecting edge  14  and an inwardly bulged concave connecting edge  16 . The connecting edges  14  and  16  have approximately the same curvature, so that two carrier elements  12  may be arranged in succession with the projecting connecting edge  14  in the inwardly bulged connecting edge  16 . Two carrier elements may be aligned relative to one another over a symmetrical angular range, relative to their central longitudinal axis. For the carrier elements configured in a straight line, the central longitudinal axis of the carrier elements coincides with the orientation axis. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  shows a cross section through a carrier element  12 . Clearly visible in the cross section is a cover  18  which has laterally projecting wings  20 . The cover  18  is placed on a holder  22 . The holder  22  has a trough-shaped structure, which receives a photoluminescent material  24 . The photoluminescent material  24  is provided in the form of a strip which is inserted or bonded into the holder  22 . The photoluminescent material  24  is secured via the cover  18  in the holder  22 . The cover  18  serves at the same time as a protective cover for the photoluminescent material  24 . The holder  22  has on its underside four projections  26  extending in the longitudinal direction of the carrier element, which facilitate the adhesion of the holder  22  to the subsurface. 
         [0047]    The laterally projecting wings  20  of the cover  18  are spaced apart from the underside of the projections and thus from the subsurface. The wings  20  allow, therefore, a flush seal with a laterally adjoining floor covering. 
         [0048]    The dark boundary line  28  visible in  FIG. 1  illustrates the transition from the holder  22  to the wings  20 . The cover and/or wings  20  are configured to be transparent in this embodiment and in the further embodiments. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment in which elongate carrier elements  30  are again provided with convex and concave connecting edges  31 ,  33 . The carrier element  30  has a structure with a planar carrier  34  on which the photoluminescent material  32  is arranged without a covering. Such an embodiment is particularly suitable for uses in which a floor covering of low height is adjoined, for example a planar plastics covering. Alternatively, the photoluminescent material may also be provided as an underlayer  34 , which is applied to a transparent material  32 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  shows an arrangement of carrier elements  36  which have an almost full circular projection  38  and at the opposing end a corresponding semi-circular recess  40 . The carrier elements  36  are hooked with the projection  38  in the recess  40  of the adjoining carrier element, and may be aligned relative to one another before fastening to the subsurface. 
         [0051]    In addition to the variant of bonding the individual elements to the floor, there is also the possibility of screwing the finished aligned chain through their projections  38  to the subsurface  42 . The carrier elements which are hooked into one another may be adjusted continuously relative to one another in a predetermined angular range. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  shows a chain of carrier elements  44  arranged in succession, which are fastened to one another overlapping by a tongue and groove connection. As visible from the section along the line A-A in  FIG. 7 , a first carrier element  44  has an end section  46  located below. The end section  46  has a projection  48  which extends along a circular path on the end section  46 . Overlapping with the end section  46 , a second end section  50  is provided which has a circular shaped groove  52 . The end section  50  overlaps the end section  46 . Two adjacent carrier elements may be aligned at an angle relative to one another via the projection  48  which is arranged in the recess  52 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 9  shows carrier elements  54  which are sealed by an end piece  56 . The chain shown in  FIG. 9   a  differs in two features from the arrangements described above. The carrier elements  54  are connected to one another via connecting pieces  58 . The end piece  56  is connected to a carrier element  54  on the end side. The connecting pieces  58  have an elongate shape with anchoring pins  60  at their ends. The carrier element  54  has on its underside recesses  62  which serve for receiving the anchoring pins  60 . In the connected state  FIG. 9   d  shows that two adjacent carrier elements are connected to one another via a connecting piece. As a result, the arrangement achieves the functionality of a link chain which may be flexibly aligned, without the carrier elements losing their connection to one another. 
         [0054]    A further particularity of the carrier elements  54  is visible from  FIG. 9   c . The carrier element  54 , which receives the photoluminescent material, is at both ends respectively closed via a curved end cap  64 ,  66 . The end caps  64 ,  66  respectively have a pair of fingers  68  which hold the end caps  64 ,  66  on the carrier element. A particular advantage of a curved end cap is that the interior is effectively sealed and thus the pigments of the photoluminescent material are protected from oxidation, and at the same time a curved connecting edge is present which permits an alignment of the elements in succession. The end cap may have a planar base element with fastening fingers or even a recess with a peripheral end wall. Irrespective of the design, the end cap closes the carrier element. 
         [0055]      FIG. 10  shows an arrangement of carrier elements  70 ,  72 , which are aligned relative to one another via connecting pieces  74 . The connecting piece  74  has at one end an anchoring pin  76  and at the other end a semi-circular recess  77 . The anchoring pin  76  is anchored in a recess in the carrier element. The semi-circular recess  77  on the end of the connecting piece  74  facing away from the anchoring pin bears in the assembled state against the anchoring pin in the next carrier element. Also, the recess  77  may be configured as a snap connection for the anchoring pin  76 , so that the next carrier element is additionally held via the connecting piece. 
         [0056]      FIG. 11  shows two end pieces  56 ,  80  as may be used in the embodiments of  FIG. 9  or  10 . The end pieces  56 ,  80  have a bulged connecting edge  57 ,  82  and a straight connecting edge. The straight connecting edge is closed via a cap  59  or  84 , the cap  84  having two fingers and the cap  59  having three fingers  86 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 12  shows a further embodiment of carrier elements  88 ,  89  which are positioned relative to one another via elongate connecting pieces  90 . The connecting pieces  90  have a similar construction to the connecting piece of  FIG. 10 . In the assembled state, the connecting pieces  90  form a continuous projection  94  which extends under the carrier element. The carrier element  88  has, as shown in  FIG. 13 , a closed sleeve with a recess  92  located below, into which in the assembled state the connecting piece  90  is inserted. The photoluminescent material is in this embodiment inserted into the carrier element  88  which may preferably be closed by curved end caps. 
         [0058]      FIG. 14  shows an alternative embodiment of the carrier element in cross section, in which a cover  94  is arranged on a holder  96 . The cover  94  grips the holder  96  from behind which may be fastened to the floor via projections  98  which extend in the longitudinal direction of the holder  96 . The photoluminescent material is arranged between the cover  94  and the holder  96 . 
         [0059]    The arrangement shown in  FIG. 15  of the carrier elements has adapter elements  100 , which are respectively arranged between two carrier elements  102 . The carrier elements  102  have an elongate shape, whilst the adapter elements  100  have an oval or almost round shape. Due to the short length of the adapter elements  100  and possibly also of the carrier elements  102  and the bonding surface which is therefore small, it is preferred to fasten the adapter and/or carrier elements to the subsurface with screws  103 , in order to achieve a sufficiently fixed connection. 
         [0060]      FIG. 16  shows two further embodiments with carrier elements  104  and  106 . The carrier element  104  has semi-circular connecting edges  108 . The carrier element  106  has at both ends a pointed connecting edge  110 . If, relative to the carrier elements  104  and  106 , the cross section of the carrier element is observed just in front of the connecting edge, the connecting edges are not located perpendicular to an orientation axis A, which in turn is perpendicular to the cross section. The orientation axis A is illustrated in  FIG. 16  as well as in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 17  shows a further embodiment with carrier elements  112 , which are connected to one another via connecting pieces  114  at their ends. The connecting pieces  114  have two anchoring pins which are arranged respectively in recesses (not shown) in the carrier elements. By means of the rounded connecting edge  116 , the carrier elements  112  may be continuously adjusted relative to one another. 
         [0062]    In  FIG. 18 , in the region between the passenger cabin  118  and the cockpit  120 , is a row of furniture and built-in components  122 . The furniture and built-in components  122  are again arranged in front of the exit doors  124  which are also provided for the emergency exits. The front edge of the furniture and built-in components  122  is characterised by an escape path marking  126 . The escape path marking  126  has a row of straight sections, which alternate with curved sections  127  adapted to the contour of the furniture. 
         [0063]    A central cupboard element  128  in the passenger cabin is also characterised by an escape path marking  130  extending in a curved manner. In the longitudinal direction of the aircraft the escape path marking  130  has two straight sections. The front and rear faces  132 ,  134  have a curved escape path marking. In this connection, the escape path marking  132  facing towards the passenger cabin has an approximately constant radius of curvature, whilst the escape path marking  134  facing towards the cockpit  120  does not have a constant radius of curvature. 
         [0064]    Also, the front end  136  of the central row  135  has a curved escape path marking. On the side rows, curved sections of the escape path marking, for example at the transition from the seat row to a boundary element, may also be present. In this case, escape path markings  138  and  140  which are curved in opposite directions may be arranged directly in succession. 
         [0065]    From the example shown in  FIG. 18 , it is particularly clear that substantially straight elements are additionally used in the escape path marking in order to provide the passengers with a rapid and clear orientation in the event of an emergency. The straight escape path markings according to the invention are supplemented by the curved sections of the escape path marking, such as for example 134, 132, 138 and 140, in order to ensure even in the event of an emergency a clear orientation past objects and obstructions, such as for example the cupboard  128 . 
         [0066]    This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.