GB2362169A

GB2362169A - Rail comprising direction indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2362169A
Application number: GB0011254A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Charles Phillips
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-10
Filing date: 2000-05-10
Publication date: 2001-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-10
Also published as: GB0011254D0; GB2362169B

Abstract

A wall rail comprises an elongate strip for fitting along a wall and having successive triangular section surface formations 15 therealong, the slope of these in one direction being greater than the slope in the other direction, so that a person is able to be guided in a particular direction, e.g. toward an exit, purely by sense of touch. In another embodiment, (Fig. 5, not shown), the rail is a handrail standing clear of the wall.

Description

2362169 Wall Rail This invention relates to a rail for fitting to walls in

buildings or other structures.

In the event of a f ire or other emergency in a building or other structure, it is often difficult for persons to quickly find their way to the nearest emergency exit, especially if the air is filled with smoke or the person is partially sighted.

I have now devised a wall rail which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a wall rail comprising an elongate strip for fitting along a wall, the strip comprising a plurality of successive surface formations disposed along the length thereof, wherein the rate at which each formation increases in depth along the strip between first and second ends thereof is different from the rate at which each formation decreases in depth, with the rate of increase being less than the rate of decrease.

The difference in the rate of change of depth of the formations can be felt by a person as they run their hand along the length of the strip in opposite directions. Thus, it will be appreciated that the formations provide a directional indication purely by the sense of touch.

In use, the rail can be aligned on a wall, end-to-end with other such rails to guide persons by the sense of touch towards an exit or other destination.

Preferably the rate of depth increase is substantially less than the rate of decrease, so that it is much easier for persons to run their hands from said first end of the rail to the second end, rather than vice-versa. I have found that a person will intuitively travel in a direction in which the rate of increase is less than the rate of decrease. Accordingly the rails can be suitably disposed so that a person intuitively 2 travels towards an exit in an emergency.

Preferably each formation is identical in shape.

Preferably, each formation is disposed on a straight line which extends axially of the strip.

Preferably the formations are equally spaced.

Preferably, each formation is triangular in section.

Preferably each rail comprises complementary engaging means at its opposite ends for engaging the rail end-to-end with other such rails.

In one embodiment, the rail comprises mounting means for mounting the strip away from the wall so that it can be used as a handrail.

In an alternative embodiment, the rail comprises mounting means for mounting the strip against the wall, for example to also act as protective barrier for the wall.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of wall rail in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rail of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of a wall fitted with the wall rail of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is an alternative embodiment of wall rail in accordance with this invention.

Referring to Figures 1-3 of the drawings, there is shown a rail for fitting to a wall comprising an elongate strip 10 of moulded plastics having a flat rear surface for fitting against a wall or an intermediate backing member 11 using screws 12.

The front surface of the rail comprises longitudinally- 3 extending flat side portions 13 and a longitudinal ly- extending serrated medial portion 14 having a plurality of equally spaced identical serrations 15 disposed at regular intervals along its length.

Each serration 15 is triangular in section with one face thereof lying perpendicular to the front plane of the rail and another face thereof being inclined at an angle of about to the longitudinal axis of the rail.

In the embodiment shown the outer ends of the serrations 15 lie in substantially the same plane as the side portions 13 of the rail, so that rail can act as a wall guard, although this is not essential.

Referring to Figure 4, in use a plurality of rails are mounted endto-end along a wall with the serrations 15 thereof facing in the same direction.

The rail may be arranged to lead persons to the nearest exit in the event of an emergency, in which case the rails are preferably aligned so that the perpendicular face of the serrations are directed towards the exit.

It will be appreciated that it is easier for a person to run their hand in the direction in which the perpendicular face of the serrations forms the trailing edge and thus a person will intuitively be guided towards the exit.

Referring to Figure 5, of the drawings, in an alternative embodiment the rail comprises a conventional handrail mounted away from the wall by brackets 20. The upper surface of the handrail is serrated in a similar manner to the rail of Figures 1-4.

It will be appreciated that a rail in accordance with 3 0 this invention provides an extremely simple yet ef f ective means for indicating the direction to a destination purely by means of the sense of touch.

4

Claims

Claims

A wall rail comprising an elongate strip for fitting along a wall, the strip comprising a plurality of successive surface formations disposed along the length thereof, wherein the rate at which each formation increases in depth along the strip between first and second ends thereof is different from the rate at which each formation decreases in depth, with the rate of increase being less than the rate of decrease
2. A wall rail as claimed in claim 1, in which the rate 10 of depth increase is substantially less than the rate of decrease.
3. A wall rail as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which each formation is identical in shape.
4. A wall rail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which is each formation is disposed on a straight line which extends axially of the strip.
5. A wall rail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the formations are equally spaced
6. A wall rail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which 20 each formation is triangular in section
7. A wall rail as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising complementary engaging means at its opposite ends.
8. A wall rail as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising mounting means for mounting the strip away from the 25 wall.
9. A wall rail as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, comprising means for mounting the strip against the wall.
10. A wall rail substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.