Abstract:
A combination emergency light fixture having a housing constructed to have a minimum footprint or overall configuration for housing the required components and still conform to the code requirements for such emergency fixtures. The housing includes an annular body member having a front and rear opening defining a light chamber covered by a removable sign panel and/or a mounting panel. An interior lamp source and a pair of operating batteries are disposed within the light chamber in a manner to minimize the overall footprint of the housing. Disposed between the operating battery source is a triangular shaped component compartment having light reflecting surfaces to reflect the light rays generated by the internal light source outward toward the sign panel to enhance the illumination thereof. The fixture may also include external light sources.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to an emergency lighting device, and more specifically a combination emergency directing sign and the illumination thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Code requirements such as UL-924 code relating to emergency lighting and power equipment require that such equipment conform to the National Electrical Code ANS/NFPA 70 and the Life Safety Code ANS/NFPA 101. Section 39.5 et seq. of UL-924 code requires that the letter sizes, spacing and the overall dimension of the housing shall include any illuminated borders of the letters or, in the case of reduced size illuminated legends, the non-illuminated (opaque) borders of the illuminated letters. 
     Some of the known efforts made to conform to the code requirements are evidenced by lighting fixtures disclosed, e.g. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,142,648 and 5,797,673. These known lighting fixtures have a housing which is required to be greater than the heretofore standard electric signage to provide space for accommodating such auxiliary components as batteries, circuitry and other components necessary for operating the emergency lamping carried exteriorly of the housing during an emergency. Lighting fixtures such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,142,648 and 5,797,673 have also been made the subject of Design Patents, e.g. U.S. Design Pat. DES 446,818 and U.S. Design Pat. DES 379,373. The noted design patents appear to be directed to a lighting fixture which also requires an oversized housing for accommodating the other necessary components such as relatively large batteries required for powering the exterior lamps in the event of an emergency situation, e.g. a blackout, fire, and the like. This is readily apparent in the noted design patents, as the overall dimension of the housing extends substantially below the required dimensions of the exit sign which is sized to satisfy the specified code dimensions for such lettering. As a result, there is a need to have an emergency lighting device with more compact housing which can still satisfy the minimum code requirements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a combination emergency lighting fixture having a minimum sized housing while accommodating a lighted emergency sign that complies with the electrical code, UL-924 specifications. 
     Another object is to provide a combination emergency lighting fixture wherein the illumination cavity for the emergency sign is substantially co-extensive to that of the housing of the fixture. 
     Another object is to provide a combination lighting fixture having increased versatility whereby it can be readily converted between a double face illuminated emergency sign or a wall mounted sign. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a combination emergency fixture having a housing constructed in a manner whereby accessibility to the interior of the housing for effecting replacement and/or repair of any component part is simplified. 
     Another object is to provide a combination emergency lighting fixture with a housing which is constructed to reflect the internal light rays toward the emergency sign so as to enhance the illumination thereof. 
     Another object is to provide a combination emergency lighting fixture having an exterior light source incorporated onto the opposed end walls of the housing and/or can be remotely placed relative to the fixture. 
     Another object is to provide an emergency lighting fixture with a simplified housing construction having readily interchangeable opposed panels to function as a sign panel or a mount or support for the fixture. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide for a combination emergency light fixture having a housing which is rendered readily adaptable for use as a single or double faced fixture. 
     The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are obtained by the combination emergency light fixture having a housing in the form of a unitary annular member having a readily removable front and back panel capable of functioning as a sign panel or a support or mounting panel. The respective front and back panels are constructed so as to be readily removable without the use of any tools, and which are positively secured to the annular housing member in the operative position. The annular housing member may also be provided with integrated opposed arcuate side walls for accommodating exterior emergency lighting units. In accordance with this invention, the housing in its assembled position defines a lighting chamber which is substantially equal to the dimensions of the compact housing and still comply with the requirements of the UL-924 code for such combination emergency light fixtures. This is attained by the construction of the annular member with opposed interior partitions disposed between the top and bottom walls thereof to define opposed battery holding chambers which are wholly disposed within the lighting chamber. The respective opposed partitions are provided with an outwardly inclined wall portion to accommodate an illuminated directional indicator as required by UL-924 code. The respective partitions provide the internal supports sufficient to support the weight of the batteries for powering the lamps during an emergency or loss of power. Disposed between the partitions there is provided a component compartment for containing a circuit board and other electrical circuit components. The component compartment is defined by inclined opposed sides which converge inwardly of the light chamber to define a generally triangularly shaped compartment. The arrangement is such that one of the compartment walls is rendered readily removable to provide easy access to the electrical components. 
     In accordance with this invention, the inclined walls of the component compartment have a reflective surface for reflecting the light rays generated by the internal light source outwardly toward the sign panels to enhance the illumination thereof. The internal light source includes a light bar disposed along the top portion of the annular member for supporting thereon a plurality of spaced LED lamps. If desired, the exterior light source may also be remotely disposed relative to the emergency light fixture. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent in view of the following detail description and the drawings. 
    
    
     IN THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination light fixture embodying the invention wherein the external light source may be either mounted on the fixture and/or at a location remote therefrom. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional end view taken along line  2 — 2  on FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the housing construction of FIG. 1 with the front sign panel removed. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the combination emergency light fixture similar to that of FIG. 1, illustrating the same for use as a double faced unit and having one face removed. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the combination emergency light fixture as viewed from the rear. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 with the back panel removed. 
     FIG. 7 is a detail perspective view of the back or support panel. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective detail view of a sign panel which can be rendered readily interchangeable with the back or support panel of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified light fixture. 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded detail view of the latching arrangement for securing the front or back panels to the housing annular member. 
     FIG. 11 is a fragmentary detail section view illustrating a front or back panel in the latched or secured position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a combination emergency light fixture  20  embodying the present invention. As used herein, combination emergency light fixture  20  means a light fixture capable of having an internal light source for illuminating a sign or direction panel, e.g. an exit sign or the like, which may also have an external light source. The arrangement is such that the fixture  20  may be powered both by an AC line current and/or a battery source. Preferably, the light source for the fixture  20  is powered by a direct line source generating alternating (AC) current and having an auxiliary battery power source to power the light sources in case of a power outage, fire or other form of an emergency. 
     In FIG. 1, the illustrated fixture  20  is shown as having a pair of external lamps  21  and  22  adjustably mounted on the arcuate sides or wings  25 ,  25  of the housing  23 . If desired, the external lamps  21 ,  22  may be optionally located at a remote distance from the fixture  20  as shown by external lamp  24  in FIG.  1 . Alternatively, the fixture  20  may be used with both the housing mounted lamps  21 ,  22  and the remotely mounted lamps such as lamp  24 . 
     In accordance with this invention, the housing  23  includes an annular housing member  25  having a top  25 A, a bottom  25 B and interconnected opposed sides  25 C and  25 D. The opposed sides  25 C,  25 D are preferably arcuate in shape to define opposed wings or sides  25 C,  25 D for supporting thereon the external lamps  21  and  22 . The opposed sides  25 C,  25 D terminate in a rearwardly extending flange  25 E and  25 F which circumscribes annular housing  23  to define a full back opening  26 . Disposed between the opposed wings or sides  25 C,  25 D and the top  25 A and bottom  25 B of the annular housing member  23  and opposite the full back opening  26  is a front opening  27 . 
     Connected to the rearwardly extending flanges  25 E and  25 F circumscribing and defining the full back opening  26  is a sub-back panel  28 . As best seen in FIG. 5, the sub-back panel  28  is provided with a back opening  29  which is substantially co-extensive in size to the front opening  27 . In accordance with this invention, the back sub-panel  28  is provided with top and bottom slots  30 , whereby the back sub-panel  28  can be readily detachably connected to the annular housing member  25  as will be hereinafter described. 
     As seen in FIG. 5, the back opening  29  formed in the back sub-panel  28  can be covered by a detachable back panel  31  or can be optionally covered by a detachable sign panel  32  as indicated in FIG.  4 . The removable back panel  31  is thus rendered interchangeable with the sign panel  32 . As will be hereinafter described, the respective back panel  31  and the sign panel  32  are secured to the sub-back panel  28  by a similar snap fitting retainer or fastening means as will be hereinafter described. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the annular housing member  25  is provided with an inner cross piece  33 , spaced slightly inwardly and parallel to the top  25 A of the annular housing member  25 . As shown, the cross piece  33  is supported between the upper ends of a pair of spaced apart partitions  34 ,  35  extending between the bottom  25 B of the annular member  25  and the upper cross piece or plate  33 . As best seen in FIG. 3, the respective partitions  34 ,  35  are bent or bowed outwardly above the mid point of the respective partitions  34 ,  35  as noted at  34 A,  35 A. The arrangement of the partitions  34 ,  35  relative to the sides or wings  25 C,  25 D respectively define a battery chamber  36 ,  37  for housing a battery  38 ,  39  therein. 
     Disposed within the annular housing member  25  and between the respective partitions  34 ,  35  is an inner compartment  40  for housing the electrical components and/or the circuitry required for energizing and controlling the powering of the lamps or light sources. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the inner component compartment  40  is defined by opposed sides  41 ,  42  that are inclined and converge inwardly of the housing member  25  to define a component compartment  40  that is generally triangular in cross section as seen in FIG.  2 . The component compartment  40  extends upwardly from the bottom wall  25 B of the annular housing  25  to about a midpoint of the annular housing  25 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, one side  41  of the compartment  40  is rendered readily removable so as to provide ready access to the component compartment  40 . Within the component compartment is a printed circuit board  43  or equivalent circuitry for operating the lamps or light sources. Also disposed within the component compartment  40  is a lamp holder  44  for supporting an internal lamp  45  for directing light rays outwardly through an opening  46  formed in the bottom wall  25 B of the annular housing member  25 . 
     Supported on the top cross piece or plate  33  are a series of LED lamps  47  for illuminating the interior of the light chamber. In accordance with this invention, the sides  41 ,  42  of the component compartment  40  are inclined inwardly at an angle relative the front and back openings  27 ,  29  so as to reflect and direct the light rays generated by the LED lamps  47  outwardly toward the respective front and back openings  27 ,  29 . The opposed sides  41 ,  42  are formed so as to have an outer reflective surface for reflecting more of the light rays toward the sign panels  32  that cover the front or back openings  27  or  29  to enhance the illumination of the sign panel  32 . 
     As shown in FIG.  1  and FIG. 8, the sign panel  32  comprises a planar surface  32 A having a suitable sign, e.g. the letters E X I T formed thereon, which are illuminated when the LED lamps  47  are illuminated. It will be understood that the sign panel  32  may be formed to give any other desired “direction” or “phrase” e.g. STAIRS; -THIS WAY; or other instruction generally given in cases of an emergency. Also, the sign panel  32  may be provided with a direction indicator or arrow, as shown at  48 , which is also illuminated by the LED lamps  47 . In accordance with this invention, the direction indicators  47  are located on the planar surface  32 A of the sign panel  33  so as to be disposed opposite the outward bowed portions  34 A,  35 A of partitions  34 ,  35 . 
     As noted in FIG.  1  and FIG. 8, the sign panels  32  are similarly formed so as to be readily interchangeable. The sign panels are detachably secured to the front of the annular housing member  25  by means of a snap fit retainer, as best illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. The illustrated retainer means as seen in FIGS. 10 and 11 are shown as having the flange portion  32 B of the sign panel  32  formed with a slotted opening  32 C, which is adapted to be disposed in alignment with a complementary latching detent  49  formed on the complementary edge or flange  50  of the annular housing  25 . As the annular housing member  25  is formed of a suitable plastic material, the flange  50  being slightly spaced or separated from the circumscribing flange  50 ′ defining the periphery of the annular member  25  is rendered resilient and free to deflect when the sign panel  32  is fitted onto the front opening  27 . As noted in FIG. 10, detent  49  is provided with a slightly angled face  49 A which effects a camming action to deflect the flange portion  50  downwardly, as seen in FIG. 10, when the front sign panel  32  is fitted to the annular housing member  25 . The inherent resiliency of the flange portion  50  will cause the detent  49  to engage the slot  32 C and lock the front sign panel onto the annular member. As noted in FIG. 1, the front sign panel is provided with a pair of slots along the top and bottom edges thereof which are in alignment with a pair of detents  49  formed in the upper and lower peripheral portions of the annular member  25 . 
     It will be noted that the back sub-panel  28  is detachably connected to the rear portion of the annular housing member  25  with similar snap fit assembly as described with respect to FIGS. 10 and 11. Likewise, the back panel  31 , functioning as a closure and mounting plate, is also secured to the back sub-panel in a similar manner. In addition, the back panel  31  is provided with a pair of spaced apart resilient clips  51 ,  52  arranged to extend into the light chamber. Each of the respective clips  51 ,  52  has formed therein an aperture  51 A,  52 A which are adapted to receive a pin  53 ,  54  located on the opposed partitions  34 ,  35 . The arrangement is such that when the back closure panel  31  is fitted to the back sub-panel to cover the rear opening  29 , the clips  51 ,  52  will engage pins  53 ,  54  and will be received in apertures  51 A,  52 A when the apertures are positioned opposite the pins  53 ,  54 . At the same time, the slots  32 A (as seen in FIG. 7) will engage the detents  49  to secure the back panel onto the sub-back panel  28 . 
     The sign panel  32 , as noted in FIG. 8, which is interchangeable with the back panel  31 , is similarly secured to the sub-back panel  28  by means of the slots  32 B engaging the detents  49  as hereinbefore described. 
     When the combination emergency fixture  20  is utilized with the back panel  31 , as described, the back panel  31  can be readily secured or fixed to a supporting surface, e.g. a wall, by means of any type of suitable fasteners, e.g. screws, nails, adhesives and the like. The arrangement is such that the annular housing member  25  and the connected sub-back panel  28  can be rendered readily disengaged from the wall secured back panel  31  simply by effecting the removal of the front sign panel  32  as herein described, and releasing the clips  51 ,  52  by deflecting the clips toward each other to free the locking pins  53  and  54 . The front sign panel  32  can be readily released by depressing the detents  49  to disengage the detent from the corresponding slot  32 B. 
     From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the emergency light fixture  20  can be utilized either as a single face or double face emergency light fixture with either attached exterior light source and/or remotely placed light source. Further, the components of the light fixture are rendered readily detachably connected by snap fit retaining means to provide easy and readily accessible to the working electrical components for repair or replacement of parts. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a modified embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the emergency lighting fixture  60  is devoid of any external lighting means. In this simplified embodiment, the annular housing member  61  is rectangular in shape to define a full front and rear opening which may be closed by a sign panel  62  similar to that described herein with respect to FIGS. 1 and 8; and a back panel  63 , which is rendered interchangeable with a sign panel  62 , as hereinbefore described. The internal structure of the annular housing  62  is similar to that herein described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to  5 . 
     The embodiments herein described function so as to enhance the illumination of the interior lighting chamber to maintain the sign and direction indicators illuminated at all times, and which illumination is backed up with a battery source of power in the event of any interruption of the line current. The emergency fixture of this invention is rendered compact in that the electrical components are arranged within a component compartment within the lighting chamber, and which component compartment is uniquely formed and shaped to reflect the light generated by the interior light source outwardly toward the sign panel to enhance the illumination thereof, and whereby the code requirement for such emergency fixtures can be complied with in a more compact housing. 
     While the present invention has been described with respect to a several embodiments, modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.