Loop Indicator Apparatus for Egress Point Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation tools fail to effectively indicate egress points in buildings, particularly in low visibility environments like burning buildings, posing significant safety risks for firefighters and victims.
Innovation Solution
An indicator apparatus comprising a connector member with a manipulatable section that forms a continuous loop, a releasable securing element, and an indicator light, which can be secured around egress points like ladder rungs or door handles to clearly indicate safe paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional navigation tools are used in burning buildings, then firefighters can navigate the building, but they cannot effectively locate egress points in low visibility conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual signaling through color changes and light emission. The indicator apparatus uses lights that emit visible signals in different colors to mark egress points, making them detectable in low visibility conditions caused by smoke. This directly addresses the problem by transforming the invisible or hard-to-see egress points into clearly visible targets through optical signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator apparatus serves as an intermediary device between the egress point and the firefighter. It is placed at or near egress points to provide visual information to firefighters, acting as a mediator that bridges the information gap caused by poor visibility. The device translates the location information into visible signals that firefighters can detect and follow.
2Adaptability or versatility
If firefighters force open doors to create additional egress points, then more exit paths are available, but firefighters cannot determine which doors are unlocked and usable
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator apparatus uses different light colors or patterns to encode door status information. Unlocked, usable egress points are marked with specific visual signals (e.g., green light), while locked or unusable doors have different signals (e.g., red light or no light). This allows firefighters to quickly distinguish between usable and unusable doors without having to physically test each one, preserving information about door status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables doors to self-communicate their status. By attaching the indicator apparatus to doors or egress points, the doors themselves provide information about their usability through visual signals, eliminating the need for firefighters to manually check each door's status. The egress points essentially advertise their own availability.
3Productivity
If firefighters patrol the exterior of buildings to force open locked doors, then additional egress points are created, but the process takes time and the doors must immediately shut after unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator apparatus is pre-positioned at all potential egress points before firefighters need to locate them. This preliminary placement of visual indicators allows firefighters to immediately identify usable exits upon entering the building, eliminating the time-consuming process of searching for egress points or testing multiple doors. The information about egress point locations is prepared in advance and made available instantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically searching for and testing doors with an optical information system. Instead of firefighters having to manually open and check each door, the optical indicators provide immediate visual guidance to usable egress points, substituting a slow mechanical search process with instant optical information delivery.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The indicator apparatus enhances firefighter safety by providing clear, visible indications of egress points even in low visibility conditions, facilitating quicker and more effective rescue operations.
Implementation Method 1
an indicator light that is connected to the connector member for indicating the position of the egress point
Data Source
AI summary
An indicator apparatus for indicating an egress point of a building is provided. The indicator apparatus includes an indicator light, and a connector member with first and second ends, at least one connector element and a manipulatable member, where the connector element is used for securing at least part of the connector member in a position such at least a portion of the connector member forms a continuous loop. The indicator apparatus also includes a releasable securing element that is connected to the connector member for securing the manipulatable member in a stowage configuration. The connector member being formed such that when the manipulatable member is in a use configuration, the manipulatable member can be fed through the egress point of the building so that the indicator light indicates the egress point.