Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The invention relates generally to emergency equipment for buildings, and in particular to an improved fire exit sign. In the event of a fire, with rooms and corridors filling with heat and smoke, occupants would be well advised to crawl to safety. Unfortunately, the smoke and viewing angles may prevent them from seeing traditional illuminated “EXIT” signs, which are above doorways and close to ceiling's An improved exit sign at the floor-level threshold of an emergency exit doorway is provided with a set of Light-Emitting-Diodes (LEDs), preferably red, embedded in transparent epoxy. The lights would be wired into the emergency illumination system in a building, and may optionally be configured to blink. The advantage is that the light would be visible at floor level to a person crawling under smoke.
Accordingly, the invention is directed to an improved fire exit sign. The fire exit sign is installed at the floor-level threshold of an emergency exit doorway, and is provided with a set of Light-Emitting-Diodes (LEDs), preferably red embedded in transparent epoxy. The lights would be wired into the emergency illumination system in a building, and may optionally be configured to blink. The epoxy, and the cover and frame, would be strong enough to sustain the weight of persons moving through the doorway.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.
The accompanying drawing is included to provide a further understanding of the invention and is incorporated into and constitutes a part of the specification. It illustrates one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention.
Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to an improved fire exit sign. The fire exit sign is preferably installed at the floor-level threshold of an emergency exit doorway 12, and is provided with a set of Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) lights 10, which are preferably red, and are embedded in transparent epoxy 13. The lights 10 may be configured to form the word “EXIT”, equivalents in languages other than English, or other indicia generally indicative of an emergency. The lights 10 would be wired into the emergency power or illumination system in a building or other locale, and the lights 10 would be illuminated when the fire alarm or other emergency system is activated. Blinking LED lights 10 are also contemplated. The epoxy 13, and the cover 11 and frame, would be strong enough to sustain the weight of persons moving through the doorway 12.
The lights 10 are preferably manufactured from red LED lights embedded in transparent epoxy 13. The cover 11 and frame preferably manufactured from rigid, durable material with high strength, such as steel or aluminum. The assembled device must be capable of sustaining at least 20 pounds per square inch of pressure without cracking or bending.
Components and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/779,148, filed Mar. 13, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61779148 | Mar 2013 | US |