ELASCO EX. 1007
`Elasco v. Checkers
`U.S. Patent No. 7,943,851
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`Page 1 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`()ct.5, 1999
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`Sheet 1 of4
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`5,961,072
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`Oct. 5, 1999
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 5, 1999
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`Sheet 3 of4
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`5,961,072
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`1
`EMISRGENCY I.IGl-[TING
`
`This invention relates to emergency lighting. typically
`the interior of vehicles, and especially, but not
`for
`exclusively. to emergency exit floor path lighting for air-
`craft.
`It is well known in aircraft to have strips of electrical
`lights mounted at floor level
`to guide passengers to the
`emergency exit doors of the aircraft. The strips of electric
`lights are powered by an emergency battery. Such systems
`work well. but they have some problems.
`One problem is that
`they need regular servicing. The
`electrics needs checking periodically and bulbs need replac-
`ing. Maintenance of the floor-level emergency exit lights
`adds significantly to the cost of maintaining an aircrafl. Also
`the power drain caused by running the lights adds to fuel
`costs.
`
`A further problem is that if the emergency battery fails
`there is no guide lighting for the passengers leading them to
`the exits.
`in the event of a crash the
`Another problem is that
`electrical wires connecting some or all of the floor level
`emergency lights can be broken, again meaning that sortie or
`all of the floor-level emergency lights are inoperative at just
`the time that they are most needed.
`It is an aim of one embodiment of the present invention
`to alleviate at least some of these problems.
`According to a lirst aspect of the invention we provide an
`emergency exit path lighting system comprising photolumi-
`nescent guide means adapted to indicate to a user a path for
`movement by emitting light photolumincscently.
`Thus there is no external power supply to fail and thus
`the system may be fail safe. The system requires little or no
`special maintenance, and may simply require wiping or
`other similar cleaning. The system may be significantly
`lighter, cheaper and simpler to install than previous systems.
`Preferably the guide means is on the lloor, but may be
`elsewhere (eg on the side of seats).
`Preferably the guide means is an elongate member.
`Preferably the guide means comprises at least one, and
`preferably two elongate photoluminescent tracks mounted
`on or near the lloor. The two photoluminescent tracks are
`preferably spaced apan so as to define a path within which
`the user should move. Each track preferably comprises a
`substantially continuous, or elIectively continuous, strip of
`photoluminescent material. Alternatively a guide track may
`have photoluminescent regions, and non-photoluminescent
`regions which alternate. In a further alternative the photo-
`luminescent track may comprise a row of photoluminescent
`(lots, circles or the like.
`Preferably the substantially continuous track provides a
`substantially continuous path of light from any point to an
`emergency exit. An advantage of this is that a person will
`never be lost as they will always have a path, to an exit, to
`follow. This “continuous cuing” concept is applicable to
`other situations.
`Alternatively the substantially continuous track may pro-
`vide a substantially continuous path of light from any point
`to the region of the emergency exit and electrical lighting
`means may provide lighting in the region of the emergency
`exit.
`Preferably the system has a track which has a transparent
`or translucent cover which overlays a photoluminescent
`guide member. The photoluminescent guide member is
`preferably a relatively thin strip of material that is supported
`on a support member. The track may comprise a base
`member adapted to be secured to the floor, a cover member
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`adapted to be releasably secured to the base member, and a
`photoluminescent member adapted to be sandwiched
`between the base member and the cover member. Preferably
`the photoluminescent member is a flexible strip. In one
`embodiment the support member supports the photolumi-
`nescent strip so that it can withstand being troddcn upon.
`The support member preferably extends across substantially
`the full width of the photoluminescent strip. The photolu-
`minescent member is preferably removable from the track
`and is replaceable. A track may be made of adjacent discrete
`lengths of profiled extrusion. The photoluminescent strip
`may also be provided in discrete lengths.
`Alternatively the photoluminescent strip may be perma-
`nently secured, for example with glue, to either, the cover or
`the support member. In a further embodiment the photolu-
`minescent strip may be co—extruded with either, or both, the
`cover, or the support member.
`The cover member may have a ramped, or sloping, upper
`surface to facilitate the passage of wheeled vehicles such as
`trolleys.
`Alternatively the cover member may have a low profile
`so that it provides only a minimal obstruction for wheeled
`vehicles, such as trolleys.
`Preferably the track is laid in short sections. This has
`several advantages over using a continuous run of track. One
`advantage is that short runs are not as awkward to handle,
`another is that they are more resilient in the event ofa crash
`of the vehicle in which the tracks are mounted. Acontinuous
`
`run may tend to be dragged away from the body of the
`vehicle in such a crash.
`Alternatively the track may be laid in a continuous
`section.
`Preferably the cover member of one section may overlap
`the base member of a neighbouring section. An advantage of
`this is that neighbouring sections are loosely coupled. Aclip
`may be provided over the joints between the sections of the
`covering members. Alternatively the sections of the cover-
`ing members may have no clip and simply butt against a
`neighbouring section.
`Preferably at each end ofthe track run there are provided
`end caps. The end caps may be used between the short
`sections of track.
`
`Preferably to form angled joints the tracks are laid
`against each other. The sections may be mitred to fonn an
`angled joint.
`Preferably a layer which is impervious to UV light is
`used to protect the photoluminescent layer. The UV protect-
`ing layer may be a strip mounted on top of the photolumi-
`nescent strip or may be a coating on the photoluminescent
`strip. An advantage ofthis is that UV light is prevented from
`reaching the photoluminescent strip, and thus the photolu-
`minescent strip is not degraded by UV light. Also such a
`layer might additionally, or alternatively, prevent UV light
`from being emitted from the photoluminescent layer.
`Preferably the layer impervious to UV light is made from
`a PVC based material or resin, but may be from any other
`suitable material. Preferably the layer impervious to UV
`light
`is
`translucent
`to light, or other electromagnetic
`radiation, other than UV light.
`The transparent or translucent cover may have portions
`which are stained, painted, dyed or otherwise modified to
`change the light transmission properties of the cover. Pref-
`erably these portions are opaque. An advantage of such
`opaque portions is that they can be used to cover or mask
`poor cutting of the carpet. Alternatively the portions may not
`be opaque and may be used to change the color of the light
`emitted from the photoluminescent strip. The method of
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`transmission properties may include
`modifying the light
`inserting a colored [ilter undemeath the cover or may
`include using a UV protective layer which modifies the color
`of the light passing through it.
`According to a second aspect of the invention we provide
`a photoluminescent member cornprisirig a base and a layer
`of photoluminescent material.
`The layer may be cast onto the base. Alternatively, we
`may calender a thin layer, and apply that to the base.
`Previously photoluminescent members have been made
`by mixing photoluminescent material with structural mate-
`rial and producing a calendered product. This has the
`photoluminescent material spread out throughout the depth
`of the member. when it is only needed at the surface. We
`have appreciated that by casting a photoluminescent layer on
`top of a base (or by having a thin calendcred layer on top of
`a base) we can achieve better results.
`tiurlhermore, we preferably provide (eg cast) two layers,
`or more, of photoluminescent material onto a base. This has
`been found to increase the light emitted, and is easier and
`cheaper than casting one thick layer. We can control
`the
`application of a thin layer better than the application of a
`thick layer, and so would prefer to provide (cg cast) a
`plurality of thin layers until we have the thickness (or
`light-emitting properties) we want.
`is preferably a _
`The photoluminescent layer, or layers,
`vinyl layer. The base preferably contains titanium dioxide
`but may contain other whitening agents. This is believed to
`capture light to energise the photoluminescent material.
`The layers may be co-extruded instead of being cast
`together. We may co-extrude a base and a photoluminescent
`layer.
`According to a third aspect of the invention we provide
`a method of manufacturing a photoluminescent article co-mw
`prising applying (eg casting) a photoluminescent layer onto
`a base.
`According to a fourth aspect of the invention we provide
`an aircraft having an emergency exit floor path lighting
`system in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
`Preferably the aircraft has a substantially continuous
`track mounted on or at the floor, the track comprising the
`photoluminescent guide means. Alternatively the photolu-
`minescent guide means may be provided on the seats of the
`aircraft.
`Preferably there is one track to one side of an aisle, for
`example an aisle between seats, and another track to the
`other side of the aisle. This doubles the light output in a very
`simple manner and defines a path in which the user may
`move. Alternatively only a single track may be provided.
`Preferably there is one, or most preferably a pair, of
`branch tracks leading from an aisle track to an emergency
`door. Most preferably the emergency door, or the region of
`the doorway, is also marked (preferably hounded) by pho-
`tolurninescent areas. Alternatively there may be no tracking
`in the region of the emergency door. The guide means in the
`region of the emergency door may comprise an electrical or
`other guide means.
`The photoluminescent floor-level emergency exit light-
`ing system maybe provided as original equipment, or it may
`be retrofitted to existing aircraft.
`According to a fifth aspect ofthe invention we provide a
`method of reducing the cost of maintaining an aircral't’s
`emergency exit floor path lighting system comprising having
`a photoluminescent emergency exit floor path lighting sys-
`tem instead of an electrically powered system.
`Thus the maintenance required may simply be cleaning.
`According to a sixth aspect of the invention we provide
`a method of reducing the cost of maintaining an aircraft’s
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`floor path lighting system comprising
`emergency exit
`removing an existing electrically powered floor path system
`and replacing it with a photoluminescent system.
`Preferably when the electrical system comprises a line of
`lights in a channel track we remove the lights, introduce a
`support member into the channel, and introduce a photolu-
`minescent strip on top of the support member. Preferably a
`cover is applied over the strip and is secured to the existing
`channel track.
`The photoluminescent strip may be attached to the carpet
`of the aircraft. Preferably the photoluminescent strip is
`attached to the carpet using ultrasonic welding, but may be
`attached using gluing or other method.
`Preferably the photoluminescent strip is covered in a
`protective see-through material. Preferably the protective
`material is polycarbonate, but may be any other suitable see
`through material, as appreciated by a man skilled in the art.
`According to a seventh aspect of the invention we
`provide a method of reducing the cost of installing, or
`modifying the layout of, an aircraft ‘s emergency exit floor
`path lighting system comprising securing the aircraft ’s
`emergency floor lighting system to the floor of the aircraft
`through the carpet on the floor (instead of cutting the carpet
`around the lighting).
`This reduces the amount of cutting of the carpet that is
`required to match it to the floor path lighting system, which
`makes it quicker and cheaper to install the carpet. It also
`means that if the layout of the lloor path lighting is changed
`the existing carpet can still be retained since it does not have
`great big holes in it at the old location of the lighting system.
`It will be appreciated that the carpet extends under the
`floor path lighting system.
`Preferably a backing member (eg a strip or plate) is
`secured to the floor of the aircraft where the lighting is to be
`positioned.
`Preferably the carpet
`member.
`Preferably locating means is provided on the backing
`member to locate the lighting. The locating means may be
`holes or studs which co-operate with studs or holes,
`respectively, on the lighting.
`Such a system has an advantage that cutting of the
`covering carpet is reduced, resulting in a lower wastage of
`the carpet, and making it quicker to replace the carpet, and
`thus the cost of refitting the aircraft is reduced.
`The lighting may he provided with a means to tempo~
`rarily attach it
`to the lloor of the aircraft. The means may
`comprise velcro® (or the like) attached to the lighting strip
`or may comprise clamps secured at intervals to the cabin
`lloor through holes in the carpet.
`According to another aspect of the invention we provide
`a way of reducing the cost of fitting out an aircraft with
`floor-mounted emergency exit path lighting system compris-
`ing attaching the exit path fighting above the carpet of the
`aircraft. This may he achieved by studs entering through the
`carpet, or by velcro®, or in any other way.
`The aircraft's emergency exit floor path lighting system
`may be of the known electrical system or alternatively the
`emergency exit floor path lighting system may be of the
`photoluminescent type disclosed in this application.
`In any of the inventions disclosed it will be appreciated
`that the photoluminescent strips may be substantially con-
`tinuous elongale lines, or they may be interrupted. Or circles
`or discs of photoluminescent material spaced at
`intervals
`may be used as an alternative to strips of photoluminescent
`material.
`We have also made an interesting discovery which is
`useful in photoluminescent emergency exit pathways. and
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`is laid on top of the hacking
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`more widely in photoluminescent signs or displays gener-
`ally. Up until now if we wanted to have an arrow, or the word
`EXIT or other words or pictogrants, in a photoluminescent
`sign, or in the exit path line, we can do it by applying an
`opaque layer above the photoluminescent material. masking
`out the emitted light. This leaves essentially black markings
`on a
`light—emitting background (or vice—versa—we can
`blank out the background and let the markings glow in the
`dark).
`We have now discovered that some dyeslstainsfinks can,
`when applied over a photoluminescent layer, glow in the
`dark with a different color to that of the photoluminesccnt
`layer. Thus the sign can have both the background and the
`markings emitting light. This makes the markings easier to
`see, and means that more light, overall, is given ofl by the
`sign.
`According to an eighth aspect of the invention we
`provide a photoluminescent sign or display comprising a
`photoluminescent layer of a first color, and markings of a
`second color overlying the photolumincscent
`layer,
`the -
`markings. being made with a dye or ink (or the like) that, in
`use, when overlaid, glows in the dark with a different color
`from that of the photolumineseent layer.
`The color that the markings emit in the dark may not be
`the same color as they rellect in daylight.
`The dye or ink may simply filter out some wavelengths
`of light emitted by the photolumirtescent
`layer, allowing
`others to pass. Alternatively the dye or ink may be excited
`by the light emitted by the underlying photoluminescent
`material and may ernit its own light as a response to that
`excitation.
`The dye or ink may itselt‘ be photolumirtescent with a
`dilferent color light from that of the layer beneath it.
`Preferably the base photoluminescent layer is yellow
`more specifically yellowfgrcen. Preferably the pigment has
`a red color but may be another color. The pigment may be
`a dye, such as POLYVIN M/\'l'l‘ FLUORESCENT RED PM
`1256 which can be obtained from GIBBON inks and coat-
`ings of 25 Deer Park Road, Wimbledon.
`The pigment may have incorporated in it a compound
`which is impervious to UV light. Blocking UV light may
`have the advantages disclosed hereinbefore.
`According to a ninth aspect of the invention we provide
`a photoluminesccnt sign or markings having a photolumi-
`nescent layer and a dye, or other coloring, overlaid above the
`photolun"tines.cent layer, the dye being such that photolumi-
`nescent light is transmitted through it, but with a changed
`wavelength spectrum to give a photoluminescent light of a
`dil.l'crent color to that of the photoluminescent layer.
`Instead of trartsmittirtg some wavelengths of light emit-
`ted by the photoluminesccnt layer the dye could emit light
`of its own.
`Preferably the sign or markings has a first region in
`which the photoluminescent
`layer is overlaid by the dye
`which modilies the light emitted to produce light of a
`diI1’ercnt color, and a second region in which the photolu-
`rninescent layer is not covered by the dye and emits light of
`its natural color.
`There may be more than one layer of photoluminesccnt
`material provided with the dye, or other coloring, being
`provided between the difierent photoluminescent layers. An
`advantage of this is that the intensity of the light is increased
`but a dilferent color portion is stiil provided.
`Preferably the first or second regions define letters, or a
`word, or an informatiot't—giving graphic symbol.
`The dye, or other coloring, may contain mixed Xylenes,
`2-Butoxyethartol and Cyolohexanone as active ingredients.
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`The active ingredients may be provided in the propor-
`tions Xylencs <10%, 2-Butoxyethanol <5% and Cyolohex-
`anone <lS%.
`According to a tenth aspect of the invention we provide
`a photolumineseent material or member which is also retice-
`tive.
`
`Preferably the material or member is retro reflective.
`The member or material may be provided in the form of
`a sheet of material.
`Preferably a layer of reflective material is provided on
`top of a layer of photoluminesccnt material. An advantage of
`such a composite is that it will act as a light source and also
`reflect light, making it highly visible. Such a material may
`have uses in high visibility clothing, life boats, life bells,
`guidance out of buildings as well as for the emergency floor
`lighting of vehicles. Such items incorporating this material
`are explicitly disclosed and we may seek protection for the
`items per se.
`Preferably the layer of rellective material is transparent
`in addition to being reflective. This may allow light emitted
`from the photoluminescent material
`to pass.
`through the
`reflective layer.
`Preferably the layer of reflective material is made from
`micro—prism reflective material.
`Preferably the reflective layer is attached to the photo-
`lurrtinesccnt layer, using high Erequency welding. Preferably
`the layers are welded together using a lattice work grid
`pattern. This pattern of welding may prevent the egress of
`dirt or water into cells created by the welding pattern. The
`presence of such dirt or water in the cells may prevent the
`photoluminescertt material from working.
`Embodiments of the invention will now be described by
`way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
`drawings of which:
`FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a retro-fitted aircraft
`emergency exit floor path lighting track using existing track;
`FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an original equipment
`aircraft exit floor path lighting track;
`FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the track of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 shows the general arrangement of an emergency
`exit floor path lighting track in an aircraft;
`FIG. 5 shows detail of the track arrangement near an
`emergency exit;
`FIG. 6 shows detail of a track near a galley;
`FIG. 7 shows an impression of what an aircraft emer-
`gency exit floor path system according to the invention will
`look like in use; and
`FIG. 8 is a cross section of a further embodiment of the
`lighting track.
`A general view of a system in accordance with lhe
`invention is given in FIG. 4. This shows an aircraft 10
`having emergency exits 12:1. 1212. 12c, 12d, 12c, and 12f,
`and a floor mounted emergency exit pathway indicating
`system 14. The system 14 comprises a track 16 having a base
`member 18, a cover 20, and a photolttminescent strip 22 held
`between the cover and the base member. FIGS. 1 to 3 show
`this best. FIG. 4 shows that there are two tracks 16 associ-
`
`ated with the aisle, and with each emergency exit route: one
`to either side of the floor path.
`Referring to FIG. 1, this shows a molded plastics guide
`track 16 that has been retro-fitted to an aircraft that originally
`had an electric emergency tloor path lighting system. The
`original plastics material base section 18 is retained. In an
`electrical lighting system wires and lights are retained in a
`channel 21, but in the retro-fitted photoluminescent system
`they have been removed and the top of the channel 21 has
`been closed by a plastics material support formation 23
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`which is releasably snap-fitted to hook formations at the top
`of the side walls of the channel 21. The photoluminescent
`strip 22 is a flexible strip of about a millimetre thick. It has
`a vinyl base which contains titanium dioxide or other
`whitening agent and has two thin—film layers of photolumi—
`nescent material-containing vinyl cast on top of the vinyl
`base. The photolumineseent material is overlaid by a UV
`protective top layer (not shown). The strip 22 has the
`following glow properties:
`
`Typical Glow Duration:
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`initial
`1 minute
`10 mins
`30 mins
`til] mins
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`The photoluminescent material emits a yellow light,
`tinged with green.
`In a dilferent embodiment a whitening agent other than
`titanium dioxide may be used.
`The cover 20 is made of a transparent plastics material.
`The cover 2;!) rcleasably clips on to the base section via
`co-operating fingers 24 and 26 provided on the base section
`and cover respectively. The cover has ramped, or sloping
`portions 28 and 30 which make it easier to roll a trolley over _
`the track, and reduce the chance of someone tripping over
`the track.
`FIGS. 2 and 3 show a track that is similar to that of FIG.
`
`instead of being retro-fitted to an existing
`that
`1 except
`electrical track it is original equipment. Instead of having a
`separate support formation 21.
`the plastics material base
`section 18 of the embodiment of FIGS. 2. and 3 has a
`box—section support formation 21 integrally molded with it.
`In a different embodiment the track of FIGS. 2 and 3 may
`be retro-fitted.
`In both of the arrangements of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2 and
`3 the support formation supports the centre of the cover 20,
`and the strip 22, so that they do not collapse when someone
`treads on them.
`FIG. 5 shows detail of the tracks 16 at the region of an
`emergency exit. The tracks referenced 51,52, are the main
`aisle tracks extending longitudinally of the aircraft. Branch
`tracks 53,54,55,56, extend, in pairs, to each emergency door,
`referenced as 5'? and 58. This gives the passengers a lead
`right up to the emergency exit. It will also be noted from
`FIG. 4 that all of the aisles of the aircraft are bounded by
`photoluminescent track 16. This means that if a passenger
`follows a track 16 in any direction he will come to an
`emergency exit.
`We may put arrows 22a, or other indieia, in the track to
`indicate the direction to the nearest emergency exit. We may
`also put words in the track, for example "Emergency Exit”.
`It we do put markings on the photoluminescent tracks we
`prefer to make them with the dye POLYVIN M.Al'I‘ FLUO-
`RI:lSCENTRED PM 1256 or an equivalent colorant that also
`glows with light of its own color in the dark.
`FIG. 6 shows another arrangement for installing a pho-
`toluminesoent strip, referenced 60,
`in the flooring of an
`aircraft. The flooring is a non-slip plastics material flooring
`that has raised sections 61. These make it dilficu It to mount
`a strip to the flooring. We remove a channel of flooring, for
`example by abrading, or milling, possibly in situo in the
`aircraft, to produce a flat based channel 62. The strip 60 is
`laid in the channel and a
`transparent covering 63,
`for
`example an acetate strip, is glued over the photoluminescent
`strip 60. The channel 62 is wider than the strip 6|] to give a
`surface area to which the cover 63 can be glued. The glue is
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`the cover 63 may be of
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`also preferably transparent. In the embodiment shown in
`FIG. 6 the surface of the transparent cover strip 63 that
`overlays the photoluminescent strip 60 is at about the same
`height as the raised sections 61.
`In a different embodiment
`polycarbonate.
`In a further embodiment the photolumincscent strip may
`be precut and vacuum sealed between two Covering strips. A
`self adhesive may be applied to the bottom surface of one of
`the covering strips so that
`the complete assembly can be
`easily laid into a channel corresponding to channel 62 in the
`flooring of the aircraft.
`FIG. 7 has a right hand portion showing the interior of an
`aircraft and floor-mounted photolumineseent guide tracks,
`with the lights of the aircraft on, and a left hand portion
`showing what a passenger would see with the lights off. A
`clear path between the parallel photoluminescent tracks of
`the aisle, and the emergency exit gangways, is defined, and
`illuminated, for the passenger to escape. The photolumines-
`eence of the pair of tracks is bright enough, at floor level, for
`reading.
`FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment for mounting the
`photoluminesecnt strip 80. The housing 82 is low profile,
`presenting a minimum obstruction for trolleys and the like.
`The housing 82 has the dimensions: height 3.0 mm, and
`width 43 mm.
`The strip 80 is removable from the housing 82. The gap
`84 in the lower portion of the housing 82 facilitating the
`removal of the strip 80.
`Some detailed features of possible alternative systems
`which are not shown in the drawings andfor described in
`detail above are:
`A method of joining tracking together is preferred not to
`be, continuous runs of strip. This is preferably not used
`because a) it is unwieldy, and h} on impact it may drag away
`from the fuselage.
`Instead we prefer to use short runs. We use 2 m lengths
`51a and 52:: (see FIG. 2) placed butt to butt, with the top
`cover of one slightly overlapping the base section of the
`next. We could seal using a small strip clip over the joint of
`the adjacent butting sections, but at present we do not find
`it necessary.
`We have developed and do intend to use end»eaps. These
`are placed at the beginning and end of track runs. We could
`use the end caps between the 2 meter runs, but this would
`break the concept of continuous cuing. This may be accept-
`able.
`For right-angle joins as in cross-aisle, we just put the
`track against each other. Proper mitring of the joint into
`right-angles or T-junctions could he performed if appropri-
`ate.
`
`One way of attaching the lighting strips to the aircraft
`floor is to ultrasonically weld the PLM tracking into carpet-
`ing. The results of our secret tests so far have been success-
`ful. This invention would include welding in the strips as
`they are shown in the drawings, and alternatively welding
`strips covered or sealed in poly carbonate or other protective
`see-through material. Instead of welding we may prefer to
`glue or otherwise inserting or attaching plrotoluminescent
`material to the floor covering.
`Another variation of this theme is that we may "black"
`(make opaque) the flange or edge performs of the otherwise
`transparent top cover to cover up poor cutting of the carpet}
`floor covering. Furthermore, changing the color of the light
`given olf by either coloring the top cover by inserting
`pigment into the plastic mix or by inserting a colored lilter
`member between the PLM and the top cover or by putting
`
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`Page 9 of 15
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`5,961,072
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`9
`the pigment or filter in the UV protective layer or below the
`UV protective layer of the PLM is possible.
`As discussed in the introduction, we have developed yet
`another concept for the utilization of the floor mounted
`emergency exit path strips. A major cost
`in putting in
`lighting strips is the cost and wastage associated with cutting
`up the aircraft carpctffioor covering. This means that the
`carpet is thrown away each time there is a change of layout.
`Consequently we have invented the idea of a system which
`does not require the carpet to be cut. A backing plate is
`secured to the floor of the cabin where the tracking is
`required to run. This plate either has locator holes or studs,
`it can work either way, along its length. The carpet is laid on
`top of it and the photoluminesccnt tracking (it will have to
`be a lower profile than the present one) is married up and
`pressed home attaching to the backing plate. Although the
`attachment could work male to female, or female to male,
`we feel that the studs should be on the back plate as it would
`be far easier to locate.
`This concept of a backing member beneath the carpet to
`which floor path lighting is secured, through the carpet that
`is between them, also applies to standard electrical floor
`lighting.
`In addition we feel that as an alternative we may provide
`a quick releasetno damage to the carpet system. This might
`include some sort of velcro concept for surface mount, or
`additionally or alternatively clamps for the lighting system
`secured at regular intervals on the cabin lloor. The clamps
`might be cut into the carpet, and when PLM is used would
`secure the PLM strip.
`We have also invented a method of combining reflective
`material with PLM vinyl such that the PIM beneath absorbs
`light through the surface mounted reflective material whilst
`shining through the rellective material to give off light. This
`combination is a great break through as it is unique to be
`both reflectivc as well as PLM charged. Its uses will be for
`high visibility clothing, life boats, lift belts, and for signs in
`general. It will also be useful on way guidance in buildings
`as well as vehicles such as cars and lorries.
`It will be appreciated that we could mount the photolu-
`minescent safety strips 7|] on the seats (eg the sides of the
`seats, with or without breaks in the PI- material). We could
`mount the strips on the legs of the seats. Scat side mounting
`has the advantage that we do not have to cut the carpet to
`install the system. or to recognise the layout of the Pl safety
`strips within the aircraft.
`We could clip the strips to the seattor carpet, use studs (or
`releasable mechanical fasteners) use hook and libre fasteners
`(velcroT'“). We could weld the strips to the carpet andxor seat
`sides. We could glue the strips down.
`I claim:
`
`1. An aircraft comprising:
`(a) an emergency exit door;
`(11) an aisle along a floor of the aircraft leading to said door
`between a first group of seats disposed along one side
`of said aisle and a second group of seats disposed along
`the other side of said aisle;
`(c) an emergency exit guidance system including:
`(i) a first elongate guide strip fastened to said aisle
`floor; and
`(ii) a second elongate guide strip fastened to said aisle
`floor;
`((1) said first and second elongate guide strips each includ-
`mg
`a plurality of sections placed longitudinally in
`sequence, extending end to end along each of the first
`and the second guide strips, each section comprising
`a base support section.
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`a photoluminescent light-emitting guide section, and
`one of a transparent and a translucent cover section;
`(c) wherein the cover section of each of said sections has,
`in an elongate direction of the guide strip, an unstepped
`generally flat, smooth top surface that extends the
`length of the section; and
`(,0 wherein each of said photolurninescent lightemitting
`g