Phosphorescent escape route indicator

• US 4,401,050 A
• Filed: 09/30/1981
• Issued: 08/30/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laurence D. Britt, Richard G. Britt
• Original Assignee: Laurence D. Britt, Richard G. Britt
• Inventors: Britt, Laurence D., Britt, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASICH, DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US06/306,970
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 116/205, 116/DIG. 14, 116/63 R, 52/38, 52/105, 52/174, 250/462, 40/570, 40/542, 340/517, 340/584
• US Class Current: 116/205
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 3/00 Devices or single parts for facilitating escape from buildings or the like, e.g. protection shields, protection screens; Portable devices for preventing smoke penetrating into distinct parts of buildings A62B1/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/20 with luminescent surfaces or parts luminescent compositions C09K11/00; light sources using luminescence F21K2/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/14 Tapes as carriers

Abstract

A phosphorescent escape route indicator having at least one protruding indicia formed within or attached to a sheet of material. The protruding indicia has incorporated therewith a phosphorescent substance capable of emitting a glow in the absence of light. An adhesive formed as part of the sheet is utilized to apply the indicator to the surface of walls or stairways thereby aiding in delineating escape routes or access routes to emergency equipment during time of emergency.

Claims

1. A direction indicating tape capable of providing a visual and feelable indication of direction during periods of darkness comprising:

(a) an elongated strip of material, capable of being wound in a roll,

(b) adhesive means on the bottom side of said strip of material for securing said strip to a wall surface and spaced a predetermined distance from the floor,

(c) and a plurality of spaced phosphorescent, pointed shaped, indicator elements attached to a top side of said sheet along its length, each phosphorescent indicator element having a thickness sufficient to be felt and comprising;

1. a layer of reflective plastic material,

2. a layer of a phosphorescent substance on top of said layer of reflective material, and

3. a layer of clear plastic material on top of said layer of phosphorescent substance, and elongated line-like embossed areas on said strip of material extending between said phosphorescent indicators for enabling a person to feel his way from one indicator element to the next.

2. An indicator tape as defined in claim 1 wherein said indicator elements are each in the shape of an arrow.

3. The direction indicating tape of claim 1 and further including a removable plastic cover on the bottom of said adhesive means.

4. The direction indicating tape of claim 1 and wherein said strip of material is plastic and said indicator elements are plastic.