FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The present invention is directed to an emergency evacuation guide system defining an exit path through a visual aid, serving to indicate the direction of movement toward the emergency exits, during a fire emergency when the interior of the structure is dark or smoke-filled.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[002] Various supplementary mechanical guards are known for securing doorways in a partially opened or ajar state. The most common of these supplementary guards are the chain

type and the swing bar type comprising a knobbed arm affixed to one panel (generally the door) and a slotted bar (generally a staple configuration) pivotally attached to the adjacent structure (usually the jamb). The swing bar is pivoted over the knobbed arm to prevent the door from being more than slightly opened, with the arm passing through the narrower slot or passage between the swing bar members and the larger diameter knob of the arm preventing the swing bar from clearing the knob. These supplementary guards are common installations not only in the home, but also in hotels, motels, and other quarters throughout the world.

[003] However, various means have been developed for defeating these supplementary guards, if the door is slightly ajar with the latch engaged. This may occur in a hotel or motel room if the door lock is opened by a staff member or other person with access to a key to the room. One way of defeating the swing bar door guard mechanism once the door has been unlocked and is ajar, is by drawing the door slightly toward its closed position and inserting a fairly stiff member (card stock paper, thin plastic or sheet metal, etc.) through the gap between the door and the jamb, using the paper or other member to push the swing bar clear of the arm, and then opening the door. Thus a security latch for a swing bar door guard solving the aforementioned problems is desired. FIRE SAFETY VISUAL AID

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[006] The security latch for a swing bar door guard essentially includes a plate installed adjacent to or formed with the rigid arm component of the swing bar door guard assembly. The plate has a post pivotally secured thereto, and extending normal to the plane or surface of the plate. The distal end of the post, i.e., the end opposite the plate, includes a cross member thereon so the post and its cross member collectively form a T configuration.

[007] The cross member has a span or length greater than the spacing between the two members of the swing bar, but the post and narrower width of its cross member fit easily between the two swing bar members. Thus, the swing bar may be prevented from releasing the arm when engaged therewith by moving the swing bar over the post and cross member and then rotating the post and cross member so the cross member extends across the two swing bar members.

[008] The post is preferably frictionally secured in the plate from which it extends, thus requiring some slight effort to rotate the post and its cross member. This assures that the post and cross member will remain in the desired orientation, e.g., with the cross member across the members of the swing bar, once adjusted to this orientation. Stops are provided in or on the plate and extending from the post to limit the rotation of the post and its cross member to ninety degrees, i.e., with the cross member either aligned between the swing bar members or extending across the members. Various embodiments of the stops are provided.

[009] Various embodiments of the plate and its post and cross member are also provided, with one embodiment comprising a plate that is separate from the conventional plate and rigid arm component of the swing bar door guard assembly. This embodiment provides for installation of the security latch with previously installed swing bar door guards. In another embodiment, the FIRE SAFETY VISUAL AID plate and its post and cross member are combined with the rigid arm component of the swing bar door guard, thus facilitating installation of the swing bar door guard and the security latch when both are installed together.

[010] These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

FIRE SAFETY VISUAL AID

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[Oil] To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawing. It is appreciated that the drawing depicts only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing in which:

[012] Fig. 1 A is an environmental perspective view of a security latch for a swing bar door guard according to the present invention, showing the security latch engaged to prevent the opening of the swing bar.

[013] Fig. IB is an environmental perspective view of the security latch for a swing bar door guard of Fig. 1 A, showing the security latch turned to allow the swing bar to be opened.

[014] Fig. 1C is an environmental perspective view of the security latch for a swing bar door guard of Figs. 1A and IB, showing the swing bar swung open after disengaging the security latch.

[015] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the security latch for a swing bar door guard according to the present invention, illustrating its various components and features.

[016] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the security latch for a swing bar door guard according to the present invention, showing further details thereof.

[017] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the security latch for a swing bar door guard according to the present invention, showing various details thereof. FIRE SAFETY VISUAL AID

[018] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the security latch for a swing bar door guard according to the present invention, wherein the mounting plate for the latch is formed integrally with the arm mounting plate of the swing bar assembly.

[019] Fig. 5B is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the security latch for a swing bar door guard of Fig. 5A, showing the swing bar swung open after disengaging the security latch.

[020] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

FIRE SAFETY VISUAL AID

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[015] Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown a new and improved visually aided fire protection system 10 in accordance with the present invention. The visually aided fire protection system 10 comprises an LED strip 12 housing a plurality of LED lights 14 arranged in an elongated linear manner from a first end 16 of the LED strip 12 to an opposite or distal end 18. Four (4) electrical conductors or wire having a length of twelve (12) feet having a gauge of sixteen (16) AWG solid copper (which is conventionally colored as black and red, not shown) that is insulated plenum rated with a red outer sheath plenum rated cable wire 20 is electrically connected and protrudes out from the first end 16 of the LED strip 12 and is provided to be electrically connected or wired into an existing fire alarm system (not shown).

[016] Turning once again to FIGURE 1, the visually aided fire protection system 10 further comprises a wall plate or box 22 connecting to the control unit of the alarm system, wherein the cable wire 20 is perpendicular to both the LED strip 12 and box 20. The LED strip 12 includes a plurality of plastic holding clips 24, located along each longitudinal edge of the LED strip 12, wherein the plastic holding clips 24 are held with a screw/bolt and/or anchor (not shown) for attachment to a mounting surface, such as along the base of a wall, hallway or the like. Alternatively, the plastic holding clips 24 may also utilize an adhesive for attachment means. Further, the LED lights 14 are covered with rubber and/or a plastic outer surface 26, which may be fabricated using a durable clear outer shell to protect the LED lights 14 from damage. In a preferred embodiment each LED light 14 is placed a distance of 2 inch apart from each other.

[017] Referring now to FIGURE 2, there is shown and illustrated the visually aided fire protection system 10 mounted along the bottom portion of wall 30 near the floor 32 of an exit FIRE SAFETY VISUAL AID

hallway 34. In an additional preferred embodiment, a logo cap 36, having a red plastic lens made of plastic with a white logo printed on it, is provided at first end 16 of the LED strip 12 to cover the cap wire 20 coming out of the LED strip 12 going to wall plate, conduit or wire mold. In use, the visually aided fire protection system 10 connects to a signal circuit of a fire alarm control panel (not shown). Typically, a commercially approved fire panel has a 120 VAC source, from which the power source voltage is switched to the DC for its circuitry in connection with the existing fire alarm system, provided in response to termination of a flow of electrical current through the provided DC voltage power source, to illuminate all LED light 14 in sequence to display the direction 28 of the movement, as shown in FIGURE 1. It should be understood, that the visually aided fire protection system solely operates if the circuit is activated. With the additional amperage use on the signal circuit, it would stay within a safe operating range. Usually, most fire alarm control panel signaling circuits come with extra termination points, if another circuit is needed for signaling.

[018] In summary, the visually aided fire protection system in accordance with the present invention is functional to operate as a direction indicator to show the direction of the movement according to the combination of alarm devices indicating fire conditions. In one embodiment, the present visually aided fire protection system is operative to direct the evacuation of the occupants through the appropriate exit routes, while the existing alarm system alerts the building occupants thereof.

[019] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to FIRE SAFETY VISUAL AID

one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.