Emergency exit indicator

• US 4,148,023 A
• Filed: 05/02/1977
• Issued: 04/03/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EDI Safety Devices Incorporated
• Original Assignee: EDI Safety Devices Incorporated
• Inventors: Elkin, Barry
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Myer, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US05/792,809
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 340/237.5, 340/331, 340/332, 340/333, 340/326, 340/628, 340/629, 340/630, 340/371, 315/86, 315/87
• US Class Current: 340/628
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/062 indicating emergency exits
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip

Abstract

An emergency exit indicator that will signal the location of an emergency exit by a high intensity smoke piercing light and audible alarm, becoming activated automatically when smoke reaches a predetermined level. This indicator is particularly useful in movie theatres, night clubs and similar places where it is necessary to utilize subdued exit lights that will not be distracting. In cases of emergency involving smoke, the emergency exit indicator of this invention becomes activated automatically, thereby emitting a powerful beam of light capable of piercing through substantial distances of dense smoke. However, when the indicator is not activated it will not cause a distraction.

Claims

1. An emergency exit indicator comprising:

power supply means, door location signaling means, smoke detecting means operatively connecting said power supply means to said door location signaling means, said smoke detecting means including a smoke detector assembly and switching means actuated by said smoke detector assembly, said switching means including means for switching said indicator from a detecting condition wherein said power supply means in interruptably connected to said door location signaling means through said smoke detecting means to a triggered condition wherein said power supply is directly operatively connected to said door locating signaling means bypassing said smoke detecting means responsive to the detection of a predetermined level of smoke by said smoke detector assembly whereby said door location signaling means remains actuated until said switching means is manually reset.

2. The emergency exit indicator as recited in claim 1 wherein said power supply means comprises voltage reducing means, rectifier means connected to said voltage reducing means, battery charging means connected to said rectifier means and a standby battery operatively connected to said battery charging means to provide output from said power supply means when input power to said power supply is discontinued.

3. The emergency exit indicator as recited in claim 1 wherein said door location signaling means is comprised of a high intensity light having a smoke piercing beam.

4. The emergency exit indicator as recited in claim 3 wherein said door location signaling means is further comprised of an audible alarm.

5. The emergency exit indicator of claim 1 wherein said switching means is comprised of a relay.

6. The emergency exit indicator as recited in claim 1 wherein said switching means is comprised of solid state circuitry.

7. The emergency exit indicator as recited in claim 1 wherein said smoke detector assembly is located from said door location signaling means.

8. A smoke actuated emergency exit indicator adapted to go from a detecting mode to a triggered mode when a predetermined level of smoke is detected comprising:

power supply means, door location signaling means, smoke detecting means interruptably connecting said power supply means to said door location signaling means, said smoke detecting means being constructed and arranged to measure smoke density and to cause said indicator device to assume a triggered mode when a predetermined level of smoke density is measured by said detecting means and bypass switching means alternatively connecting said power supply means to said door location signaling means, said bypass switching means having circuitry directly connecting said power supply means to said door location signaling means bypassing said smoke detecting means when said indicator is in a triggered mode whereby said door location signaling means will remain actuated independently of the operability of said smoke detecting means until said bypass switching means is reset thereby switching said indicator to a detecting mode.