Escape route indication system
First Claim
1. A modular handrail that conveys directional information to a user, said handrail having a top and a side, comprising:
- a hollow profile strip that provides a basic supporting structure for the handrail, said profile strip comprising a plurality of modules each having a predetermined, modular length;
electrical connection wires running through and being substantially concealed by said profile strip; and
a plurality of cover plates, said cover plates being removably attached to said hollow profile strip on at least two longitudinal sides of said strip to form an outer surface of the handrail, at least some of said cover plates having a directional indication;
wherein said cover plates together provide substantially the complete outer surface of the rail, wherein some of said cover plates are top cover plates and the others of said cover plates are side cover plates, said top cover plates forming the entire top of said handrail, and wherein the side of said handrail is substantially free of indentations and gaps in between said side cover plates such that the side of said handrail is substantially continuous.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In order to provide specific information, e.g. concerning emergency exits on ships, in aeroplanes, in buildings, in specific land areas etc. there is provided a device in the form of a profile strip (1) along the path which has to be followed. The profile strip (1) is preferably installed along the walls in the form of a handrail. The profile strip (1) is designed in certain areas for the insertion of information supplying means (2) which may consist of signs and/or light panels and/or sound devices and/or direction indicating lugs or grooves. In the strip there may be cavities for providing any necessary cables for activation of the means.
39 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A modular handrail that conveys directional information to a user, said handrail having a top and a side, comprising:
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a hollow profile strip that provides a basic supporting structure for the handrail, said profile strip comprising a plurality of modules each having a predetermined, modular length; electrical connection wires running through and being substantially concealed by said profile strip; and a plurality of cover plates, said cover plates being removably attached to said hollow profile strip on at least two longitudinal sides of said strip to form an outer surface of the handrail, at least some of said cover plates having a directional indication; wherein said cover plates together provide substantially the complete outer surface of the rail, wherein some of said cover plates are top cover plates and the others of said cover plates are side cover plates, said top cover plates forming the entire top of said handrail, and wherein the side of said handrail is substantially free of indentations and gaps in between said side cover plates such that the side of said handrail is substantially continuous. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A modular handrail that conveys information to a user with interchangeable cover plates, the handrail having a top, comprising:
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a hollow profile strip that provides a basic supporting structure for the handrail, said profile strip comprising a plurality of modules each having a predetermined, modular length, said profile strip having a top and a side; a plurality of interchangeable top cover plates that individually attach to the top of said profile strip to form the entire top of the handrail, at least some of said top cover plates comprising top rails having a directional indication oriented in a first direction and at least some of the other top rails being substantially smooth; a plurality of interchangeable side cover plates that individually attach to at least one side of said profile strip, said side cover plates comprising at least one cover plate having a directional indication in the first direction and at least one other cover plate being free of any directional indication; wherein the handrail has a first mode in which said top and side cover plates having a directional indication oriented in said first direction are mounted onto said profile strip to direct users to move along the handrail in said first direction during an emergency, and a second mode in which said substantially smooth top cover plates and said side plates that are free of any directional indication are mounted onto said profile strip to provide no directional indication to a user. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A convertible handrail assembly comprising:
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a basic supporting handrail structure; and a plurality of different interchangeable top cover plates for selectively mounting onto said basic supporting handrail structure to form the entire top of the handrail, at least some of said interchangeable top cover plates including protrusions that are oriented in a particular direction and at least some of the other interchangeable top cover plates being substantially smooth; wherein said handrail has a first mode for use in an emergency to provide directional information to a user, in which said top cover plates having protrusions oriented in a particular direction are mounted onto said basic supporting handrail structure to form the entire top of the handrail, so that a user may run his hand over said protrusions to determine the direction in which he should walk during an emergency; and wherein said handrail has a second mode for normal use, in which said top cover plates that are substantially smooth are mounted onto said basic supporting handrail structure to form the entire top of the handrail, such that the top of the handrail is substantially smooth.
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18. A method of converting a handrail having a top and a side from one configuration for use in an emergency to another configuration for normal use, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a handrail assembly comprising; a basic supporting handrail structure; and a plurality of different interchangeable top cover plates for selectively mounting onto said basic supporting handrail structure to form the entire top of the handrail, at least some of said interchangeable top cover plates having protrusions oriented in a particular direction and at least some of the other interchangeable top cover plates being substantially smooth; configuring said handrail for use in an emergency to provide directional information to a user, by mounting said top cover plates having protrusions oriented in a particular direction onto said basic supporting handrail structure to form the entire top of the handrail, wherein a user may run his hand over said protrusions to determine the direction in which he should walk during an emergency in order to locate an exit; and reconfiguring said handrail for normal use, by mounting said top cover plates that are substantially smooth onto said basic supporting handrail structure to form the entire top of the handrail, such that the top of the handrail is substantially smooth. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification