Abstract:
A system and method for providing emergency egress path indication by providing a path direction indicator that is hidden from view during normal operation and is exposed to view upon activation by an emergency signal. Upon being exposed to view the indicator may be lighted and may provide light to people seeking exit from the building. In one embodiment the indicator may include a laser pointer further indicating the direction of egress. Visible and Braille text may also be included on the face of the indicator. The indicator device may be located near floor level for better visibility in smoke environments. In the non-visible state, the indicator may present a rugged face to withstand accidental kicks and bumps as may be encountered when mounted near the floor. The indicator may be operated repetitively and nondestructively to allow inclusion of the indicator in fire and other emergency drills.

Description:
REFERENCES  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of prior provisional application 60/614,434 filed Sep. 30, 2004 by Kontovich, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention pertains to the field of safety and emergency equipment and methods, more particularly to egress path indication devices and methods.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     In an emergency, rapid and orderly evacuation of a building is essential for saving lives and minimizing damage by allowing firefighters full access without having to assist in evacuation or save trapped people who could not find their way out. Evacuation of a building is typically accomplished with reference to a predetermined evacuation plan. Maps are often provided showing the evacuation routes. Drills are often performed to inform occupants of the safety plan and work out any problems that arise. Essential to many plans is a system of lighted EXIT signs and other egress direction indicators. Many Fire Martials and building codes require such a system.  
         [0004]     Fire drills are not always effective in training the necessary occupants as many businesses for example are frequented by customers who are not likely to be present during a fire drill and who would often object to being bothered by a fire drill at a location they infrequently attend.  
         [0005]     Exit signs are typically placed near the ceiling, above doorways, where the sign can be seen at a distance and will not be subject to damage from typical traffic, which may include karts, cleaning machinery, and people carrying objects that may bump the walls, potentially damaging fragile transparent plastic or glass lighted signage. In a fire, however, the ceiling may become obscured by smoke  
         [0006]     Thus, there is a need for an emergency egress device that is operable in a heavy smoke environment, provides intuitive and immediately understandable indication of best egress direction, is rugged enough to withstand normal traffic, and can be nondestructively deployed for fire and safety drills when desired.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Briefly, the present invention is a system and method for providing emergency egress path indication by providing a path direction indicator that is hidden from view during normal operation and is exposed to view upon activation by an emergency signal. Upon being exposed to view the indicator may be lighted and may provide light to people seeking exit from the building. In one embodiment the indicator may include a laser pointer further indicating the direction of egress. Visible and Braille text may also be included on the face of the indicator. The indicator device may be located near floor level for better visibility in smoke environments. In the non-visible state, the indicator may present a rugged face to withstand accidental kicks and bumps as may be encountered when mounted near the floor. The indicator may be operated repetitively and nondestructively to allow inclusion of the indicator in fire and other emergency drills.  
         [0008]     These and further benefits and features of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like numbers represent identical or similar components. The first digits of a reference number identify the drawing number wherein the reference first appears. In these drawings, when flow lines or wires cross perpendicular to one another, there is no implied connection when a wire or signal line ends touching another line, there is an implied connection. In the drawings,  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention utilizing a motor to rotate the display into view.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a crops section view through the device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates the device of  FIG. 2  rotated to the safe mode position.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternate embodiment with the rotational axis near the end of the plate.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates the display configuration of the device of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate embodiment utilizing a hinged cover.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  shows the device of  FIG. 6  in the emergency mode.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a movable mount embodiment allowing the laser to protrude beyond the housing.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a functional block diagram showing the operation of the device.  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates a typical application environment.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     The present invention is a system and method for displaying egress direction information during an emergency. In accordance with the present invention, an egress information display device is installed preferentially near the floor of a room or hallway. The egress information device provides two display configurations. In a first configuration, the safe mode, the device hides the egress display signage and pointing devices and allows a pleasing architectural appearance. In a second configuration, the emergency configuration, the device displays the egress direction information. The second configuration may be entered upon receipt of an emergency signal as provided by, for example, a fire alarm system.  
         [0021]     Being located near the floor is especially advantageous in a fire emergency because the smoke usually fills the room initially and most densely near the ceiling, potentially obscuring typical EXIT signs installed above the door. Egress signs located near the floor avoid the smoke and are easily seen by people who have dropped to the floor to avoid the smoke and make their way to the exit.  
         [0022]     Being located near the floor however places new demands on egress signage. The egress sign must be more rugged to withstand the abuse of traffic including carts, cleaning machines, and people carrying objects that may bump against the wall. The present invention handles these issues by providing a mode of display such that the display is protected from harm by being rotated out of sight and/or covered by a protective covering. Upon being activated by an emergency signal, the display is brought into view where it is clearly visible providing clear egress direction information.  
         [0023]     As a further advantage, the safe mode may be made architecturally pleasing. The device may present a polished stainless steel face or may be covered or painted to match the surrounding wall. The detail of the emergency display need not clutter the room or hallway in the absence of an emergency.  
         [0024]     The device may be utilized as part of a fire drill or emergency exercise to familiarize participants with the features and information provided. The device may then be placed back in safe mode, ready when needed for a real emergency. Use of the device in a fire drill verifies proper connection to the emergency signaling system and proper operation of each device in addition to training participants. In addition to fire drills, periodic testing of the device may be included along with routine testing of the building safety equipment.  
         [0025]     The device may include multiple features to aid in the determination of egress direction. First, the device may include an arrow pointer or chevron character indicating the direction of the exit. The device may also include a laser pointer directed to the exit. The laser penetrates smoke effectively, providing guidance when outside of the range of the visibility of the sign. In addition, the device may include Braille information for the blind and may include audio information to assist in the exit. Audio information may include a beep, or series of beeps to help locate the device, or may include recorded voice commands, or may include live audio, one or two way.  
         [0026]     Further details and understanding of the invention will now be provided with reference to the drawings.  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention utilizing a motor to rotate the display into view. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the egress direction display  100  comprises a faceplate  102  mounted on a shaft  110 . A lighted directional character  104  in the form of a chevron character  104  comprising an array of LED lights is mounted on the faceplate  102 . A laser pointer  106  may also be mounted on the faceplate  102 . The chevron  104  and the laser pointer  106  may be directed in the direction of the desired exit. Also shown is a Braille message  108  indicating the exit. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  includes multiple features (the chevron  104 , laser  106 , and Braille  108 ), however, one or more may be provided in a given instance. The directional character  104  may be a chevron as shown or an arrow or other indication as required by codes or generally understood as indicating direction. Light Emitting Diodes (LED&#39;s) are desirable for brightness, long life, reliability and efficiency; however, other light sources may be used, such as a back lighted sign. Red or green LED&#39;s are preferred, but any color may be used. In one embodiment, the LED light provides sufficient light to aid an occupant to see the path to the exit. Alternatively, supplemental lights may be provided.  
         [0028]     In an alternate embodiment, the device may be an EXIT sign and may indicate “EXIT” instead of the chevron indicating direction. The device may be placed by an exit near the floor to supplement an always visible exit sign above the door.  
         [0029]     The laser pointer  106  may be any color, but the color is preferably selected for smoke penetration and visibility.  
         [0030]     The faceplate  102  is mounted on a shaft  110 , which is rotated by a motor  112  through a drive mechanism  114 . The motor  112  rotates the faceplate 180 degrees to expose either the egress display (emergency mode) or a blank side (safe mode) opposite the egress display. The faceplate may further be secured in position by rotating against mechanical stops and/or by using a solenoid actuated release  124 .  
         [0031]     A control compartment  118  within the overall housing houses a controller  116  and the motor  114 . If desired, an audio device may also be included. The audio device may be housed in the control compartment  118  or mounted on the faceplate  102 .  
         [0032]     A flange  122  is provided for mounting the device  100  recessed in a wall  126 . The device  100  may alternatively be surface mounted on the wall  126 .  
         [0033]     In one embodiment, the faceplate may be 4¾×4½ inches (12.1×11.4 cm). The control compartment may be 3¾ Wide×4½ High×3 in. Deep (9.5×11.4×7.6 cm). The device may have a ½ inch (1.27 cm) flange for mounting. Thus, the overall dimensions including the flange may be 10½ in wide×5½ in high×3 in deep (26.7×14×7.6 cm). The dimensions are exemplary only and may be varied to produce a larger or smaller display or to accommodate different controller mechanisms or a different set of features.  
         [0034]     The device  100  may be made wet location safe by sealing the controller compartment and electronics from water entry and by double insulating power source and interface circuits. Wet location safety is very desirable because the device may be called to operate concurrently with building fire sprinkler systems and should continue to operate properly and not pose a shock hazard.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a cross section view through the device of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  represent the device in the emergency mode, with the display exposed to view. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the device housing  206  is recessed into the wall  126  and mounted to the wall  126  using the flange  122  provided. Other mounting methods may be used as are commonly used with electrical equipment. The device  100  may also be surface mounted to the wall  26  (not shown) by attaching the back of the housing  206  to the wall.  
         [0036]     The display plate  102  (also called faceplate  102 ) is shown in emergency display mode, with the display face  202  outward and the blank face  204  (also called plain face  204 ) inward. The laser  106  is mounted to the display plate  102 . The rotational shaft  110  is shown through the center of the plate  102 . The rotational shaft  110  may be placed on a vertical axis (not shown) or horizontal axis (as shown). When the shaft is placed in the center of the vertical dimension of the plate  102 , the plate  102  rotates “in place”, i.e. the blank face  204  and display face  202  swap places when the plate  102  is rotated.  
         [0037]      FIG. 3  illustrates the device of  FIG. 2  rotated to the safe mode position. Referring to  FIG. 3 , note that the display face  202  and blank face  204  have swapped position with respect to  FIG. 2 . The laser  106  is inside and protected from damage and so is the LED chevron display (not shown). The blank face  204  may be made of rugged stainless steel or other material. The blank face  204  may be painted or wall papered or covered with a wide range of architectural coverings as desired for pleasing appearance. Rotational stops and latches  124  may be provided to stabilize the plate  102  in the safe mode. Solenoids may be used to unlatch the latches to allow rotation.  
         [0038]     The rotational axis of the shaft  110  is shown in the center of the vertical dimension of the plate, however the axis may be placed at other locations. Placing the axis off center potentially allows shallower depth in the housing and typically requires a portion of the plate to swing outside the housing. One example of an alternate axis is shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternate embodiment with the rotational axis near the end of the plate. The device of  FIG. 4  also uses an alternate actuator mechanism comprising a spring loaded hinge  402  and a solenoid operated latch  404 .  FIG. 4  shows the device in the safe mode. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the plate  102  is mounted by a hinge  402  at the bottom. The hinge  402  includes a spring configured to rotate the plate  102  clockwise as shown in the view, swinging below and outside of the housing  206 . The plate  102  is held closed in safe mode by a solenoid operated latch  404 . When the solenoid is operated, the latch  404  releases the plate  102  and the spring (aided by gravity) rotates the plate  102  down to expose the display side  202  to view. The display configuration is shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 5  illustrates the display configuration of the device of  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the plate  102  is rotated to expose the display side  202  to view. The laser  106  is shown outside the housing  206  with the beam directed parallel to the wall  126 .  
         [0041]     Note that the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5  has been discussed as though the plate  102  swings down, however the device may be oriented to swing the plate horizontally or up, vertically, as desired.  
         [0042]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate embodiment utilizing a hinged cover.  FIG. 6  shows the device in the safe mode. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the display is shown without the laser for exemplary purposes. The laser may optionally be provided. In  FIG. 6 , the display face  202  is internal to the device and is protected by the cover  602 . The cover  602  acts as the blank face  204  of the device and may be ruggedized or covered with architectural coverings as described above for the blank face  204 . The cover  602  is mounted with a spring loaded hinge  402  and is released by a solenoid operated latch  404  as has been described above.  
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows the device of  FIG. 6  in the emergency mode. Note that the display face  202  is recessed in  FIG. 7 . A slight recess may be acceptable when the chevron is the primary display feature provided. When the laser  106  is provided, it may, in some cases, be necessary to direct the laser beam  120  parallel or nearly parallel to the wall  126 , requiring the laser  106  to protrude external to the housing  206 .  
         [0044]     To accommodate this requirement, the plate  102  including the laser  106  or the laser  106  alone may be mounted on a movable mount  802  (see  FIG. 8 ), either motorized or spring driven to move the laser  106  outside the housing  206  for full exposure, allowing operation of the beam  120  parallel to the wall  126 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 8  illustrates a movable mount embodiment allowing the laser  106  to protrude beyond the housing  206 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , the plate  102  is mounted on a movable mount  802 . The movable mount  802  may be a motor driven mount or may be a spring loaded mount, i.e a coil spring or leaf spring or other spring shape that allows the plate  102  including the laser  106  to exit or partially exit the housing  206  for greater external view exposure. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the plate  102  is fixed and the laser  106  is mounted on the movable mount.  
         [0046]     In an alternative embodiment, the cover  602  may slide to expose the display  202 , or the display  202  may slide from under the cover  602 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 9  is a functional block diagram showing the operation of the device. Referring to  FIG. 9 , operation of the device is controlled by a control unit  116 . Power is supplied by a battery  910  that is kept charged by a battery charger  906  supplied from mains power  904 . The battery  910  allows operation in the case of loss of mains power  904 , which would likely be switched off soon after discovering an emergency condition. The controller  116  receives an emergency signal  902 , potentially from a fire alarm system or other emergency system. Upon receiving the emergency signal  902 , the controller  116  operates the actuator  112  which changes the mechanical configuration from safe mode to emergency mode. The controller  116  may also activate the lighted chevron display  104 , laser  106 , and acoustical signal  912 . The chevron  104  or laser  106  or both may flash or may be steady. The acoustic system may be responsive to external audio (not shown) as required for a particular application.  
         [0048]      FIG. 10  illustrates a typical application environment.  FIG. 10  may represent a hallway in a hotel, for example. Referring to  FIG. 10 , an egress direction information device  100  is installed in the wall near the floor. Smoke  1002  has obscured the upper portion, obscuring the exit sign  1006  above the exit door  1008 . An auxiliary exit sign  1002  is provided near the floor beside the exit door  1008 . The auxiliary exit sign  1002  utilizes the safe mode and emergency mode configurations of the present invention as are utilized by the egress direction device  100 .  
         [0049]     Upon receiving an emergency signal from a triggered fire alarm, the egress direction indicator  100  would deploy to emergency mode to display the egress direction information. An occupant exiting a hotel room door  1004  would drop to the floor and observe the egress direction device  100  to ascertain the direction of the nearest exit  1008 . After proceeding in the direction of the exit  1008 , the egress direction sign  100  may be lost in smoke (low level smoke may be thinner, but may still be present at lower levels). The laser beam  120  may be used as a guide until the auxiliary EXIT sign  1002  or  1008  comes into view. The occupant may then assess the exit door  1008  and carefully open, if not hot, and hopefully, proceed to safety.  
       CONCLUSION  
       [0050]     Thus, the present invention provides for an emergency egress device that is operable in a heavy smoke environment, provides intuitive and immediately understandable indication of best egress direction, is rugged enough to withstand normal traffic, and can be nondestructively deployed for fire and safety drills when desired.  
         [0051]     The previous description of the preferred embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0052]     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.