WO2008066355A1

WO2008066355A1 - Exit light

Info

Publication number: WO2008066355A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/006168
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hee Kyung Kim
Original assignee: UB LINK CO Ltd
Current assignee: UB LINK CO Ltd
Priority date: 2006-12-01
Filing date: 2007-11-30
Publication date: 2008-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2009-06-01

Abstract

An emergency exit sign implemented in a slim and lightweight design and providing regular luminous visibility in low energy consumption and long life cycle is provided. A luminous sign board of the present invention includes a frame having an opening defined by two opposed side walls and top and bottom walls perpendicularly connected to the ends of the side walls, the frame having a front groove formed along a front edge of the top wall, a rear groove formed on rear edge of the top wall in parallel with the front groove, and a plurality of lips protruded on inner surfaces of the top and bottom walls; a bracket having a horizontal plate having a hinge protrusion formed along horizontal edge thereof corresponding to the front groove and a vertical plate having a holding protrusion formed along horizontal edge thereof corresponding to the rear groove; a lamp unit arranged vertically at a center of the inner surfaces of the top and bottom walls and having a shape of a narrow plate of which both surface having a plurality of chip-type light emitting diodes; a pair of sheet sets arranged on rear and front side of the opening, respectively; and a pair of covers for fixedly covering the rear and front side of the opening.

Description

Description EXIT LIGHT

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an emergency exit sign and, in particular, to an emergency exit sign equipped with chip-type LEDs that is capable of being implemented in a slim and lightweight design and guaranteeing regular luminous visibility in low energy consumption and long life cycle. Background Art

[2] Typically, commercial buildings and public facilities such as subway station that provide public access are required by law to have emergency signs therein identifying the exits. These emergency signs are required to exhibit a specific amount of illumination and often times are required to have an emergency backup power source to provide emergency illumination to the exit sign for a specific period of time when electrical power to the building is interrupted to allow sufficient time for persons in the building to vacate. The emergency sign is designed to be easily seen and permanently lit with cost-effective battery backup system.

[3] Typically, an exit sign uses standard fluorescent lamps that are lit by an external power source in normal situation and battery backup when the electrical power to the build is interrupted.

[4] The light emitted from the fluorescent lamp penetrates a surface of the exit sign such that a text or image depicted on the surface is visible. Exit signs are typically placed above doorways or on emergency exit routes to indicate of the buildings.

[5] In the case of using fluorescent lamp, exit signs could be made brighter to show up in the limited visibility. However, the fluorescent lamp has relatively short lifespan to be changed often and emits oppressive heat with relative high power consumption. Also, the fluorescent lamp is disadvantageous in view of environmental pollution because the mercury contained in the fluorescent lamp is classified as one of toxic pollutants.

[6] Also, the exit sign implemented with the fluorescent lamp requires an inverter for converting direct current provided by a battery to alternating current, thereby increasing in size.

[7] Korean Utility Model No. 20-0332175 discloses a light emitting diode (LED) exit sign. The LED exit sign works by combining a large number of bright light-emitting diodes to illuminate the sign from the inside. The LED exit sign is cost-effective with long life cycle and low power consumption features of the LEDs and can be manufactured in a slim design because no inverter is required. [8] However, the conventional LED exit sign has a drawback in that the LED exit sign is designed to be installed only on a wall and should be dissembled to be installed such that the parts constituting the exit sign is likely to be damaged and worker may be struck by electricity during the installation.

[9] Also, the conventional LED exit sign uses lens-type LEDs such that the brightness diminishes as distance from the center of the LED increases, resulting in degradation of visibility.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an emergency exit sign which is capable of being implemented in a slim and lightweight design and providing uniform luminous visibility in low energy consumption and long life cycle by using chip-type LEDs. Technical Solution

[11] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects are accomplished by a luminous sign board. The luminous sign board includes a frame having an opening defined by two opposed side walls and top and bottom walls perpendicularly connected to the ends of the side walls, the frame having a front groove formed along a front edge of the top wall, a rear groove formed on rear edge of the top wall in parallel with the front groove, and a plurality of lips protruded on inner surfaces of the top and bottom walls; a bracket having a horizontal plate having a hinge protrusion formed along horizontal edge thereof corresponding to the front groove and a vertical plate having a holding protrusion formed along horizontal edge thereof corresponding to the rear groove; a lamp unit arranged vertically at a center of the inner surfaces of the top and bottom walls and having a shape of a narrow plate of which both surface having a plurality of chip-type light emitting diodes; a pair of sheet sets arranged on rear and front side of the opening, respectively; and a pair of covers for fixedly covering the rear and front side of the opening.

[12] Preferably, each sheet set includes a first spread sheet fixed by the lips for spreading light emitted from the lamp unit, a display sheet arranged on an outer surface of the first spread sheet and having a text or an image indicating an exit, and a second spread sheet arranged on an outer surface of the display sheet.

[13] Preferably, the first spread sheet includes a pattern of a plurality of furrows and ridges arranged in parallel in a first direction, and the second spread sheet comprises a pattern of a plurality of furrows and ridges arranged in parallel in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. [14] Preferably, the lips are arranged in two rods alternately.

[15] Preferably, the frame is formed having a flat or curbed contour, and the lips are arranged according to the frame contour.

[16] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the luminous sign board includes a frame having a housing defined by two opposed side walls, a top and a bottom walls perpendicularly connected to the ends of the side walls, and a rear panel of which four sides are connected to the walls, the frame having a front groove formed along a front edge of the top wall, a rear groove formed on rear panel in parallel with the front groove; a bracket having a horizontal plate having a hinge protrusion formed along horizontal edge thereof corresponding to the front groove, a vertical plate connected to the horizontal plate at a rectangular angle, and a suspended plate protruded perpendicular to the horizontal plate and having a holding protrusion formed along a horizontal edge thereof corresponding to the rear groove; a reflection sheet bent at an obtuse angle along a vertical center; a lamp unit arrange inside the frame and having a plurality of chip-type light emitting diodes; a cover for fixedly covering a front side of the frame; and a spread sheet of which one surface has a pattern of a plurality of furrows and ridges arranged in parallel in a first direction and other surface has a pattern of a plurality of furrows and ridges arranged in parallel in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[17] Preferably, the reflection sheet is formed in a shape of "V" or "U" bent or curbed at an obtuse angle.

[18] Preferably, the reflection sheet is flat or patterned with furrows and ridges arranged in parallel in a direction.

Advantageous Effects

[19] The emergency exit sign of the present invention is advantageous since it can be manufactured in slim design and guarantees uniform luminous visibility and long life cycle with low energy consumption by using chip-type LEDs.

[20] Also, the emergency exit sign of the present invention can be installed and repaired in simplified assembling and dissembling processes by means of a bracket without using bolt or screws, thereby improving installation convenience and avoiding electrical accidents

Brief Description of the Drawings

[21] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[22] FIG. 1 is a dissembled perspective view illustrating an emergency exit sign according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [23] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating an emergency exit sign according to an exemplary embodiment; [24] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating an emergency exit sign according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [25] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the bracket fixed on a ceiling according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [26] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating how to suspend the exit sign on a ceiling by means of the bracket of FIG. 4; [27] FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating how to fix the exit sign on the ceiling by means of the bracket of FIG. 4; [28] FIG. 7 is a dissembled perspective view illustrating an emergency exit sign according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [29] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating a spread sheet 350 of FIG. 7;

[30] FIG. 9 is an assembled sectional view illustrating the exit sign of FIG. 7;

[31] FIGs. 10 and 11 are top plane views illustrating reflection sheet of FIG. 7;

[32] FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating the bracket of the exit sign of FIG. 7 as fixed on a wall; [33] FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view illustrating how to mount the exit sign on a wall by means of the bracket of FIG. 11 ; and [34] FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view illustrating how to mount the exit sign on a wall by means of the bracket of FIG. 11.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [35] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. [36] FIG. 1 is a dissembled perspective view illustrating an emergency exit sign according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [37] Referring to FIG. 1, the emergency exit sign 10 includes a frame 110, a bracket 120, sheet sets 130a and 130b, a lamp unit 140, and a pair of covers 140a and 140b. [38] The frame 110 is provided with a closed space for securing a controller and a battery at an upper part and an opening 112 defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls perpendicularly connected to the top and bottom walls. The upper part is provided with a first groove 111 formed horizontally on its outer front surface and a second groove 113 formed in parallel with the first groove 111 on its outer rear surface. The bottom and top walls are provided with a plurality of lips 114a and 114b protruded inside the opening 112. The lips 114a and 114b are arranged in two rows in parallel, respectively. Between the two rows of lips 114a, a first fixation protrusion 116a is arranged. Also, between the two rows of lips 114b, a second fixation protrusion 114b is arranged facing the first fixation protrusion 114a.

[39] The lips 114a and 114b are alternately arranged, and a spread sheet (not shown) is tightly engaged between the rows of the lips 114a and 114b.

[40] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating an emergency exit sign according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating an emergency exit sign according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[41] As shown in FIGs. 2 and 3, the frame covers 140a and 140b can be implemented with a flat surface or a convex surface. In the case of convex surface cover, first spread sheets 232a and 232b, display sheets 236a and 236b, and second spread sheets 234a and 234b are formed in a correspondingly curbed shape. The emergency exit sign 20 having a curbed surface cover is provided with two lamp units 240 supported by two holders 216a and 217a for emitting lights uniformly. The spread sheets 134a, 134b, 234a, and 234b, and the display sheets 136a, 136b, 236a, and 236b, are covered by the cover 140a, 140b, 240a, and 240b.

[42] The bracket 120 includes a horizontal plate 121 and a vertical plate 122 connected to each other at a rectangular angle so as to be formed in a shape of "D". The horizontal plate 121 is provided with a hinge protrusion 123 formed along the horizontal edge, and the vertical plate 122 is provided with a holding protrusion 124 formed along its horizontal edge.

[43] Each of the sheet set 130a and 130b is situated in the opening 112 and is arranged in an order of a first spread sheet 132a (132b), a second spread sheet 134a (134b), and a display sheet 136a (136b). The first spread sheets 132a and 132b is fixed by the lips 114a and 114b, and the second spread sheets 134a and 134b and the display sheets 136a and 136b are adhered to the frame 110. The display sheet has a text or an image printed on its surface for indicating an emergency exit.

[44] As shown in FIG. 1, the first spread sheets 132a and 132b have horizontal striae patterns and the second spread sheet 134a and 134b have vertical striae patterns such that the light emitted from the chip-type LEDs is uniformly spread on the first and second spread sheets 132a, 132b, 134a, and 134b. The arrangement order of the first and second spread sheets can be changed.

[45] The lamp unit 140 is electrically connected to the controller and battery. The lamp unit 140 is formed in a shape of a rectangular rod and is provided with a plurality of chip-type LEDs 142 arranged with a predetermined interval in its longitudinal direction.

[46] The chip-type LED 142 is slim and small in size and emits light at a wide angle relative to the conventional lens-type LED, whereby the exit sign can be manufactured in a slim design.

[47] In the first embodiment, the frame 110 is provided with a controller and battery at the upper part. The controller receives the electrical power from an external power source in ordinary times. In an emergency time, e.g. the external power is interrupted, however, the controller receives the electrical power from the battery. The lamp unit 140 is supported by the fixation protrusion 116a and 116b and electrically connected to the controller. The lamp unit 140 is vertically arranged at a center of the opening 112 to emit light. As shown in FIG. 2, the first spread sheets 132a and 132b are engaged between the lips 114a and 114b arranged in a zigzag pattern, and the second spread sheets 134a and 134b and the display sheets 136a and 136b are orderly arranged over the front and rear side of the frame 110 and then covered by the covers 140a and 140b. The lamp unit 140 is provided with a plurality of chip-type LEDs 142 arranged with a predetermined interval in its longitudinal direction. The chip-type LED 142 is slim and small in size and emits light at a wide angle relative to the conventional lens-type LED, whereby the exit sign can be manufactured in a slim design. Also, since the light source is arranged in the middle of the opening 112, the light is emitted in all directions. The light emitted from the light is spread by the first and second spread sheets, resulting in improvement of legibility of the text or image on the display sheet.

[48] The bracket 120 is provided for suspending the exit sign on a ceiling.

[49] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the bracket fixed on a ceiling according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[50] As shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal plate of the bracket 120 is fixed on the ceiling by means of a bolt (B) or a screw.

[51] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating how to suspend the exit sign on a ceiling by means of the bracket of FIG. 4.

[52] As shown in FIG. 5, the hinge protrusion 123 is slid into the first groove 111 such that the exit sign 10 is pivotally suspended. In a state that the hinge protrusion 123 is partially inserted into the first groove 111, a connection jack extended from the controller is connected to a connection jack (not shown) extended from the ceiling. After the electrical connection is achieved, the hinge protrusion 123 is completely inserted.

[53] FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating how to fix the exit sign on the ceiling by means of the bracket of FIG. 4.

[54] As shown in FIG. 6, the frame 110 is pivoted in the clockwise direction until the second groove 113 is hooked by the holding protrusion 124 of the vertical plate 122 such that the frame is fixed to the bracket without using a bolt or screw.

[55] Also, the frame 110 can be detached from the bracket in the inverse order. Since the lamp unit and sheets are individually mounted to the frame 110, these parts can be replaced with new ones without detaching the frame from the bracket 120.

[56] FIG. 7 is a dissembled perspective view illustrating an emergency exit sign according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[57] Referring to FIG. 7, the emergency exit sign 30 includes a frame 310, a reflection sheet 330, a lamp unit 340, a spread sheet 350, a display sheet 360, a cover 370, and a bracket 380.

[58] The frame 310 is provided with a controller (not shown) and a battery (not shown) and configured to receive power from an external power source or the battery. The frame 310 is closed by a rear panel such that other parts are housed in the housing defined by the four walls of the frame 310 and the rear panel. The frame 310 is provided with a first groove 322 formed along a front edge of a top wall of the frame and a second groove 324 formed on a rear surface of the rear panel in parallel with the first groove 322.

[59] The reflection sheet 330 is bent along its vertical center line at an obtuse angle so as to form symmetrical left and light half parts 337a and 337b. The reflection sheet 330 can be formed in a bent shape of "V" or curbed shape of "U" at an obtuse angle.

[60] The reflection sheet 330 also can be formed with a reflection surface which is flat or has a pattern of alternating furrows and ridges. The furrows and ridges can be formed in sharp or blunt shapes as shown in FIGs. 10 and 11. With the pattern of alternating furrows and ridges, the reflection sheet 330 reflects the light in a diffused manner such that the reflected lights spread in wide angles, thereby evenly arriving at the entire surface of the display sheet.

[61] Although not shown in drawings, the reflection surface of the reflection sheet 330 can be provided with at least one additional reflection sheet.

[62] The lamp unit 340 is electrically connected to the controller and has a plurality of chip-type LEDs 342 and 344 arranged with a predetermined interval on both sides. The chip-type LEDs 342 and 344 are slim and small in size and emits the light at a wide angle relative to the conventional lens-type LED, whereby the exit sign can be manufactured in a slim design.

[63] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating a spread sheet 350 of FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the spread sheet 350 is provided with a horizontal striae pattern on one surface and a vertical striae pattern on the other surface for uniformly spreading the light emitted from the lamp unit 340. The horizontal and vertical patterns are formed by furrowing the surfaces of the spread sheet 350.

[64] The display sheet 360 is provided with a text or image indicating the exit such that the text or image is illuminated by the light emitted from the lamp unit 340.

[65] The cover 370 is formed having a curbed contour and made of a transparent material. Particularly, the cover 370 is made of a polycarbonate.

[66] The bracket 380 includes a vertical plate 381 and a horizontal plate 382 connected to each other at a rectangular angle. Also, the bracket 380 is provided with a suspended plate 384 protruded perpendicular to the horizontal plate 382 in parallel with the vertical plate 381. The horizontal palate 382 is provided with a hinge protrusion 383 formed along the horizontal edge, and the suspended plate 384 is provided with a holding protrusion 385 formed along a horizontal edge of the suspended plate 384.

[67] FIG. 9 is an assembled sectional view illustrating the exit sign of FIG. 7.

[68] The controller and battery (not shown) are installed inside the exit sign. The controller receives the electrical power from an external power source in ordinary times. In an emergency time, especially when the external power is interrupted, however, the controller receives the electrical power from the battery. The reflection sheet 330 is arranged in an inner space defined by the frame 310 such that such that the two half parts 337a and 337b confront to the cover 370 and the vertical center on which the reflection sheet 330 is parted into the two half parts 337a and 337b contacts the rear panel. The lamp unit 340 is fixedly mounted along the vertical center of the reflection sheet 330 such that the chip-type LEDs 342 and 344 are arranged to direct opposite directions.

[69] The display sheet 360 and the spread sheet 350 are orderly mounted inside of the cover 370 and, in turn, the cover 370 is tightly mounted to cover the front side of the frame 310.

[70] The exit sign assembled in the above manner is fixed on a wall by means of the bracket 380.

[71] FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating the bracket of the exit sign of FIG. 7 as fixed on a wall. As shown in FIG. 12, the bracket 380 is fixed on the wall by means of bolts or screws. Typically, a connection jack (not shown) is extended from the wall.

[72] FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view illustrating how to mount the exit sign on a wall by means of the bracket of FIG. 12.

[73] As shown in FIG. 13, the hinge protrusion 383 is slid into the first groove 322 of the frame 310 such that the frame is pivotally suspended. In a state that the hinge protrusion 383 is partially inserted into the first groove 322, a connection jack extended from the controller is connected to the connection jack extended from the wall. After the electrical connection is achieved, the hinge protrusion 383 is completely inserted.

[74] FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating how to fix the exit sign on the wall by means of the bracket of FIG. 12.

[75] As shown in FIG. 14, the frame 310 is pivoted in the clockwise direction until the second groove 324 is hooked by the holding protrusion 385 of the suspended plate 384 such that the frame 310 is fixed to the bracket without using bolts or screws.

[76] Since the frame 310 is mounted on the wall by means of the bracket, the exit sign can be easily installed without using tools for fixing bolts or screws.

[77] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that many variations and/or modifications of the basic inventive concepts herein taught which may appear to those skilled in the present art will still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims. Industrial Applicability

[78] The emergency exit sign of the present invention can be applied to various commercial buildings and public facilities.

[79]

[80]

Claims

[1] A luminous sign board comprising: a frame having an opening defined by two opposed side walls and top and bottom walls perpendicularly connected to the ends of the side walls, the frame having a front groove formed along a front edge of the top wall, a rear groove formed on rear edge of the top wall in parallel with the front groove, and a plurality of lips protruded on inner surfaces of the top and bottom walls; a bracket having a horizontal plate having a hinge protrusion formed along horizontal edge thereof corresponding to the front groove and a vertical plate having a holding protrusion formed along horizontal edge thereof corresponding to the rear groove; a lamp unit arranged vertically at a center of the inner surfaces of the top and bottom walls and having a shape of a narrow plate of which both surface having a plurality of chip-type light emitting diodes; a pair of sheet sets arranged on rear and front side of the opening, respectively; and a pair of covers for fixedly covering the rear and front side of the opening.

[2] The luminous sign board of claim 1, wherein each sheet set comprises a first spread sheet fixed by the lips for spreading light emitted from the lamp unit, a display sheet arranged on an outer surface of the first spread sheet and having a text or an image indicating an exit, and a second spread sheet arranged on an outer surface of the display sheet.

[3] The luminous sign board of claim 2, wherein the first spread sheet comprises a pattern of a plurality of furrows and ridges arranged in parallel in a first direction, and the second spread sheet comprises a pattern of a plurality of furrows and ridges arranged in parallel in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[4] The luminous sign board of claim 2, wherein the lips are arranged in two rods alternately.

[5] The luminous sign board of any of claims 1 and 2, wherein the frame is formed having a flat or curbed contour, and the lips are arranged according to the frame contour.

[6] A luminous sign board comprising: a frame having a housing defined by two opposed side walls, a top and a bottom walls perpendicularly connected to the ends of the side walls, and a rear panel of which four sides are connected to the walls, the frame having a front groove formed along a front edge of the top wall, a rear groove formed on rear panel in parallel with the front groove; a bracket having a horizontal plate having a hinge protrusion formed along horizontal edge thereof corresponding to the front groove, a vertical plate connected to the horizontal plate at a rectangular angle, and a suspended plate protruded perpendicular to the horizontal plate and having a holding protrusion formed along a horizontal edge thereof corresponding to the rear groove; a reflection sheet bent at an obtuse angle along a vertical center; a lamp unit arrange inside the frame and having a plurality of chip-type light emitting diodes; a cover for fixedly covering a front side of the frame; and a spread sheet of which one surface has a pattern of a plurality of furrows and ridges arranged in parallel in a first direction and other surface has a pattern of a plurality of furrows and ridges arranged in parallel in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[7] The luminous sign board of claim 6, wherein the reflection sheet is formed in a shape of "V" or "U" bent or curbed at an obtuse angle.

[8] The luminous sign board of claim 7, wherein the reflection sheet is flat or patterned with furrows and ridges arranged in parallel in a direction.