Thin emergency exit indication and warning device

• US 7,652,590 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2007
• Issued: 01/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lin Yuan
• Original Assignee: Lin Yuan
• Inventors: Lin, Yuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Phung
• Application Number:
  US11/649,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20080164981A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.45, 340/326, 340/332, 340/693.2, 362/234, 362/368
• US Class Current: 340/815.45
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

A thin indication and warning device includes one or more self-powered indicator units 1 adapted to assemble together by means of a connector 2. The indicator unit 1 includes a channel member 11 including a recessed base 111 and a cover 112 including openings 115; light indicators 12 each including a housing 121 aligned with the opening 115, and a light-emitting member 122 mounted under the housing 121; a control circuit 14; and a rechargeable power supply 13. In response to power outage an abnormal voltage detection circuit 126 detects same and sends an activation signal to the power supply 13, the enabled power supply 13 supplies power to an alarm circuit 143 and each light indicator 12 respectively, the enabled alarm circuit 143 makes a warning sound, and each light indicator 12 emits light for indication.

Claims

1. A device for visually indicating and audibly warning people to escape from a building in case of emergency, comprising:

one or more thin indicator units (1) each including;

a channel member (11) including a base (111) and a cover (112) fitted on the base (111), the cover (112) including a plurality of openings (115);

a plurality of light indicators (12) electrically connected together and each including a housing (121) aligned with the opening (115), and a light-emitting member (122) mounted in the housing (121);

a control circuit (14) electrically connected to the light indicator (12) at one end of the indicator unit (1);

a first pair of first and second prongs (33 and 34) formed at one end of the control circuit (14);

a second pair of first and second prongs (33 and 34) formed at the other end of the light indicator (12) at the other end of the indicator unit (1); and

a rechargeable power supply (13) mounted on the base (111) and electrically connected to the control circuit (14); and

one or more electrical connectors (2) each including opposite first and second portions (21 and 22) electrically connected together,

wherein the first portion (21) of one electrical connector (2) is adapted to electrically connect to the first pair of first and second prongs (33 and 34), and the second portion (22) of the other electrical connector (2) is adapted to electrically connect to the second pair of first and second prongs (33 and 34).

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the base (111) comprises a central lengthwise top recess (114) for mounting the light indicators (12), the power supply (13), and the control circuit (14) thereon.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising two parallel spacer members (113) mounted in two sides of an underside of the base (111) respectively with the recess (114) formed therebetween.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each light indicator (12) further comprises a transparent protection member (123) mounted on the housing (121).

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the protection member (123) is formed of a reinforced glass or an impact-proof material.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting member (122) comprises a plurality of LEDs and an abnormal voltage detection circuit (126).

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the LEDs comprise a first LED(1) for visually indication and at least one second LED(2) for monitoring remaining current of the power supply (13) and charging the power supply (13).

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit (14) comprises:

a processor unit (141) electrically connected to the adjacent light-emitting member (122) and an abnormal voltage detection circuit (126) respectively;

a battery current monitoring and charging circuit (142) electrically connected to the processor unit (141) and the power supply (13) respectively, the battery current monitoring and charging circuit (142) adapted to monitor remaining current of the power supply (13) and adapted to charge the power supply (13) if an amount of current in the power supply (13) is lower than a predetermined level, wherein the battery current monitoring and charging circuit (142) causes the control circuit (14) and each of light-emitting member (122) to enter into an off-but-ready mode after charging; and

an alarm circuit (143) electrically connected to and enabled by the abnormal voltage detection circuit (126),

wherein in response to power outage the abnormal voltage detection circuit (126) detects same and sends an activation signal to the power supply (13), the enabled power supply (13) supplies power to the alarm circuit (143) and each light indicator (12) respectively, the enabled alarm circuit (143) makes a warning sound, and each light indicator (12) emits light for indication.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the processor unit (141) is a MCU (microcontroller unit).

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the alarm circuit (143) comprises an alarm generator (145), two transistors (Q2 and Q3), and a sound amplification member (146).

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the alarm generator (145) is an IC having a predetermined warning sound recorded therein.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the sound amplification member (146) is a speaker or a buzzer.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second portions (21 and 22) comprises two receptacles (23 and 24) sealed by a waterproof membrane and adapted to receive the first and second prongs (33 and 34) of the same pair by inserting the first and second prongs (33 and 34) of the same pair through the membrane.