TRANSLUCENT ILLUMINATED EVACUATION SLIDE

• US 20170050736A1
• Filed: 08/18/2015
• Published: 02/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Hartman, Drew, Volny, Jaro S.
• Granted Patent: US 10,160,551 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/14 Inflatable escape chutes
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/02 Arrangements or adaptations of signal or lighting devices

Abstract

An inflatable evacuation slide is provided. The slide may comprise a slide surface with a tubular member coupled to the slide surface. The tubular member may comprise a translucent material defining a chamber internal to the tubular member. A light source may be directed into the chamber and configured to illuminate the tubular member from within the chamber.

Claims

1. An inflatable slide, comprising:

a slide surface;

a tubular member coupled to the slide surface, the tubular member comprising at least one of a sheer material, a translucent material, or a transparent material defining a chamber internal to the tubular member; and

a light source directed into the chamber and configured to illuminate the tubular member from within the chamber.

2. The inflatable slide of claim 1, wherein the tubular member comprises a synthetic textile.

3. The inflatable slide of claim 2, wherein the synthetic textile is coated with urethane.

4. The inflatable slide of claim 3, wherein the light source is disposed inside of the chamber.

5. The inflatable slide of claim 3, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode.

6. The inflatable slide of claim 3, wherein the light source is disposed external to the chamber.

7. The inflatable slide of claim 3, wherein at least one of the synthetic textile or the urethane comprise at least one of a dye or a tint to add a color to light emitted from the light source.

8. An evacuation system, comprising:

a door sill;

a girt coupled to the door sill;

a first tubular member defining a first chamber and coupled to the girt, wherein the first tubular member comprises a translucent material;

a slide surface coupled to the first tubular member; and

a first light source coupled to an interior surface of the first tubular member and configured illuminate the first tubular member from within the first chamber.

9. The evacuation system of claim 8, further comprising:

a second tubular member defining a second chamber and coupled to the slide surface; and

a second light source coupled to the second tubular member and configured to illuminate the second tubular member from within, wherein the first light source is staggered relative to the second light source.

10. The evacuation system of claim 8, wherein the first tubular member comprises a synthetic textile.

11. The evacuation system of claim 10, wherein the synthetic textile is coated in urethane.

12. The evacuation system of claim 11, wherein the first light source is disposed inside of the first chamber.

13. The evacuation system of claim 11, wherein the first light source comprises a light emitting diode.

14. The evacuation system of claim 11, wherein the first light source is disposed external to the first chamber.

15. The evacuation system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the synthetic textile or the urethane comprise at least one of a dye or tint to add a color to light emitted from the first light source.

16. An evacuation slide, comprising:

a first tubular member defining a first chamber, wherein the first tubular member comprises a translucent material;

a slide surface coupled to the first tubular member;

a first light source coupled to the first tubular member and configured illuminate the first tubular member from within the first chamber;

a second tubular member defining a second chamber and coupled to the slide surface; and

a second light source coupled to the second tubular member and configured to illuminate the second tubular member from within.

17. The evacuation slide of claim 16, wherein the first light source is staggered relative to the second light source.

18. The evacuation slide of claim 16, wherein the first tubular member comprises a synthetic textile is coated in urethane.

19. The evacuation slide of claim 16, wherein the first light source comprises a light emitting diode.

20. The evacuation slide of claim 16, wherein the first light source is disposed inside the first chamber.