GB2623170A - Improvements to apparatus for use in gripping and guidance of persons - Google Patents

Improvements to apparatus for use in gripping and guidance of persons Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2623170A
GB2623170A GB2312502.4A GB202312502A GB2623170A GB 2623170 A GB2623170 A GB 2623170A GB 202312502 A GB202312502 A GB 202312502A GB 2623170 A GB2623170 A GB 2623170A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
illumination means
gripping member
illumination
colour
condition
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
GB2312502.4A
Other versions
GB202312502D0 (en
Inventor
Lee Brian
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Procare Shower and Bathroom Centre Ltd
Original Assignee
Procare Shower and Bathroom Centre Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Procare Shower and Bathroom Centre Ltd filed Critical Procare Shower and Bathroom Centre Ltd
Publication of GB202312502D0 publication Critical patent/GB202312502D0/en
Publication of GB2623170A publication Critical patent/GB2623170A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V23/00—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
    • F21V23/04—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches
    • F21V23/0442—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
    • F21V23/0464—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors the sensor sensing the level of ambient illumination, e.g. dawn or dusk sensors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V33/00—Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
    • F21V33/006—General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
    • E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
    • E04F11/1802—Handrails mounted on walls, e.g. on the wall side of stairs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S10/00—Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
    • F21S10/02—Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect changing colors
    • F21S10/023—Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect changing colors by selectively switching fixed light sources
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S4/00—Lighting devices or systems using a string or strip of light sources
    • F21S4/20—Lighting devices or systems using a string or strip of light sources with light sources held by or within elongate supports
    • F21S4/28—Lighting devices or systems using a string or strip of light sources with light sources held by or within elongate supports rigid, e.g. LED bars
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S8/00—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation
    • F21S8/03—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation of surface-mounted type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V23/00—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
    • F21V23/04—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches
    • F21V23/0442—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
    • F21V23/0471—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors the sensor detecting the proximity, the presence or the movement of an object or a person
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V33/00—Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
    • F21V33/0004—Personal or domestic articles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V33/00—Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
    • F21V33/0064—Health, life-saving or fire-fighting equipment
    • F21V33/0076—Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V9/00—Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters
    • F21V9/30—Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source
    • F21V9/38—Combination of two or more photoluminescent elements of different materials
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
    • E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
    • E04F2011/1868—Miscellaneous features of handrails not otherwise provided for
    • E04F2011/1872—Miscellaneous features of handrails not otherwise provided for illuminated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21K—NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21K2/00—Non-electric light sources using luminescence; Light sources using electrochemiluminescence
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2111/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
    • F21W2111/08—Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00 for handles or handrails
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2103/00—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
    • F21Y2103/10—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2113/00—Combination of light sources
    • F21Y2113/10—Combination of light sources of different colours
    • F21Y2113/13—Combination of light sources of different colours comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

The apparatus 2, particularly a guiderail or grab rail for use by elderly or disabled persons, comprises at least one gripping member 4, fixing means 6 for fixing to a support surface (e.g., wall 8), and illumination means 18 for illuminating at least part of the gripping member. The gripping member may be elongate. The illumination means may extend along and/or be integral with the gripping member, may comprise a plurality of light sources (e.g., LEDs) and/or luminescent material forming part of the gripping member, and may be controllable by a manually actuable switch and/or a sensor. Further illumination means may be provided separately, for illumination of the gripping member. The illumination means may be coloured, optionally in a first colour with end portions or equally spaced portions in a second colour. A colour and/or illumination state of the illumination means may be controllable to indicate a condition or route to be followed.

Description

Improvements to Apparatus for Use in Gripping and Guidance of Persons The invention to which this application relates is apparatus for use to be gripped and/or moved along by a person and typically, although not necessarily exclusively, by a hand or hands of a person in contact with the apparatus. The apparatus is typically provided in a form known as guiderails or grab rails and is typically provided for use by persons who may be relatively elderly, disabled, and who require the benefit of the additional support and guidance, which is achieved when the apparatus is gripped and/or moved along.
Typically, the apparatus is provided by installing the same in a fixed position with regard to a fixed support surface such as a wall, or floor of a building or externally of the building in a space such as a garden, transport hub, or the like, and generally anywhere in which a person or persons would be expected to be present during day-to-day life. Purtherinore, the apparatus may be located with regard to specific features such as, for example, in a bathroom, stairs, and externally, pavements and generally any corridor or pathway along which persons may he required to move, or pass through and where there is an increased risk of injury.
The use of apparatus of this type is relatively well-known and can be formed in a number of different desigThs and shapes which, in many instances, may be designated by the particular location of use so that for example, apparatus to be used be conjunction with a. set of stairs may have an angled support, apparatus to be located with a doorway may have a vertical support to be gripped and apparatus to be used along a pa.th or corridor, may be provided with horizontally located support members which are to be gripped and slid along.
In whichever embodiment, the apparatus needs to be securely fixed in position as the person using the same needs to be able to have the confidence by gripping onto the apparatus that their safety is assured and this, in turn, provides the confidence to the person to try and undertake physical exercise when previously, they may not have been able to or be scared to do so.
A problem with the known apparatus is that while the presence and the location of the apparatus and therefore availability of use, may be relatively easily discernible in well lit locations, the ability to locate the presence of the apparatus and to ensure that the support member of the apparatus is properly gripped, becomes more difficult or impossible in poorly lit situations such as, for example, night time when the presence of the apparatus is not discernible and/or the user of the apparatus is not able to operate lighting of a room or house due to disability. This therefore means that the level of usage of the apparatus can be reduced during reduced light conditions and/or the use of the apparatus can in fact be more dangerous if, for example, the person attempts to grip the apparatus but fails to do so or grips the same in an incorrect manner.
An aim of the present invention is theref ore to provide a means of ensuring that apparatus of the type disclosed, can be more easily located and identified in environments where light conditions a.re poor. A further aim is to allow the apparatus condition to change to a form which best suits the environment conditions at that time.
A further aim of the invention is to ensure that the ability to determine the presence of the apparatus occurs automatically and thereby avoiding the need for a user to have to operate said means to determine the presence of the apparatus.
In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for use in the support and/or guidance of a person as they move position, said apparatus including at least one gripping member which when gripped by the said person, provides support and guidance and fixing means to allow the gripping member to be fixed to a support surface and wherein the apparatus includes illumination means to illuminate at least a portion of the said gripping member so as to indicate more clearly the presence and/or usage of the apparatus.
In one embodlinent, illumination means are provided integrally with the said at least one gripping member.
In one embodiment the illumination means and/or further illumination means are provided separate to the said at least one gripping member and positioned such that when illuminated, illumination of the said at least one gripping member is caused.
In one embodiment said illumination means and/or further illumination means arc fixed to the support surface and/or may be provided at a separate location and positioned to cause illumination of the said at least one gripping member.
In one embodiment, the illumination means are provided to extend along the gripping member portion.
In one embodiment, the illumination means are created by a plurality of light sources which, in one embodiment, may be LED light sources.
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a control means to allow the selective activation of the illumination means.
In one embodiment, the control means include a switch which is manually actuable and thereby causes the switching on or off of the illumination means.
In one embocinnent, the switch may be independent of control means for other light sources or alternatively, the switch may be the same as that which is also used to" for example, switch on a room light and/or external lights.
In one embodiment the control means includes a sensing apparatus which causes, when activated, the switching on of the illumination means of the apparatus for at least a period of time thereafter.
In one embodiment, the sensing means is provided to operate when available light in the environment in which the apparatus is used, falls below a predetermined level and thereby cause the illumination of the apparatus to render the same more easily visible until a predetermined time has lapsed and/or until available light exceeds the selected level. In addition, or alternatively, the sensing means can be provided to detect the presence of a person within a predetermined range of the apparatus and, when their presence is detected, causes the illumination means to be activated so that the same are sufficiently visible prior to the user reaching the location of the apparatus.
In another embodiment the illumination means arc created by at least a portion of luminescent material which when exposed to light creates a luminescent effect.
In one embodiment the luminescent means is attached to the apparatus and/or at least a portion of the apparatus is formed by luminescent plastics material.
In one embodiment, the colour or colours of the illumination means and/or luminescent material is selected so as to identify one or more para.meters of the apparatus.
In one embodiment the illumination means and/or luminescent material are provided with at least a first portion of a first colour and a second portion of a second colour and differentiation between said colours is used to indicate different portions of the said gripping member.
In one embodiment end portions of the gripping member located at, and extending inwardly from, respective opposing ends of the gripping member for a predetermined distance are provided with illumination means and/or luminescent material of a first colour and a portion of the gripping member intermediate the said end portions is formed of illumination means and/or luminescent material of a second colour.
In one embodiment the gripping member is formed with illumination means and/or luminescent material of a first colour substantially along its length and equally spaced apart portions of illumination means or luminescent material or one or more further colours along its length.
In one embodiment at least some of the illumination means are provided to selectively emit light in at least two colours and the particular colour which is emitted is determined by the control means so as to visually indicate the operating condition of the apparatus at an instance of time.
In one embodiment a change of colour or selection whether or not to illuminate said illumination means is made so as to allow those illumination means which are illuminated or which arc illuminated in a specific colour to indicate a predetermined route to be followed at a particular time, or condition.
In one embodiment the apparatus includes a plurality of gripping members fixed at selected locations in an environment, and the illumination of the illumination means provided -with the respective gripping members may be controlled. For example, in a first condition all of the illumination means are rendered operable and in a second condition only a select number of illumination means are rendered operable and/or are controlled to illumhuate in a different colour to the said remaining illumination means so as to indicate a designated route which should be followed.
In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for support and/or guidance of a. person, said apparatus including fixing means, a. frame connected to the fixing means and illumination means located on or formed as at least a portion of said frame so as to form a gripping member.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for providing support and guidance to one or more persons via, one or a. plurality of gripping members provided with illumination means and fixed at one or more locations tn. an environment said method including using control means to control a change of colour and/or selection whether or not to illuminate certain of said illumination means so as to allow those illumination means which are illuminated and/or those which are illuminated in a specific colour to indicate a predetermined route to be followed at a particular tune, or condition..
In one embodiment the illumination of the illumination means provided with respective gripping members is selected so that in a first condition all of the illumination means are rendered operable and in a second condition only a selected number of illumination means are rendered operable and/or are controlled to illuminate in a different colour to the said remaining illumination means so as to indicate the predetermined route which should be followed.
Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying l'igures wherein: Figures la-d illustrate embodiments of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.
Figures 2a and b illustrate apparatus in one embodiment in accordance with the invention, and in first and second conditions of use; Figure 3 illustrates a further embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the invention; and igures 4a and b illustrate a further embodiment of the invention.
Referring firstly to Figure la-d, there is illustrated a range of apparatus types with which the invention can be incorporated.
Figure la illustrates a support apparatus 2 with a. gripping member 4 which is arranged in a vertical orientation.
Figure lb illustrates a support apparatus 2 with a gripping member 4 which is provided in a diagonal orientation and this is also the case in Figure lc. Figure 1 d illustrates support apparatus in accordance with another embodnnent of the invention in which the support member 4 is provided in a horizontal orientation.
With regard to Figure la, the apparatus 2 is provided with fixing means 6 which allow the same to be secured to a support surface 8 in the form of a wall of, for example, a room or external wall of a building. In Figure lb, the fixing means 6 are vain provided to allow the apparatus to be attached to a support surface in the form of a wall 8 of, in this case, a bathroom of a house and to allow a person entering and leaving the bath 10 to use the gripping member 4, for instance.
Tn Figure 1c, the gripping member 4 is provided with fixing means 6 which allow the apparatus to be attached to a wall adjacent to a staircase 12 so as to allow the person to hold the gripping member 4, which extends along the staircase at the angle of ascent/descent as they move up and down the staircase 12.
In Figure id, the gripping member 4 is provided in a horizontal orientation to act as a guiderail for a person moving along a corridor 14, with fixing means 6 allowing the apparatus to be attached to the sidewall 16 of the corridor.
In each use therefore it will be appreciated that the gripping member is used to provide support and guidance for the hand of a person to grip or slide along the gripping member 4 as the person moves position with respect to the adjacent environment. However, in order for the additional support to be achievable and reliably provided, there is a need for the same to be visible in all conditions such that the person who may require use of the same, is aware of, firstly, the existence and presence of the apparatus and, secondly, the particular location relative to the person who wishes to use the same. This is particularly important for persons who may have a disability, may have difficulty in moving toward the support member and/or have poor eyesight.
In accordance with the invention, the apparatus further includes illumination means 18. The illumination means can be provided along the length of the relatively elongate gripphig member 4 and in parallel with the longitudthal axis of the same. as illustrated in each of Figures la-d. In other arrangements, the illumUntion means may only be provided at the end of the gripping member and/or at selected locations therealong and furthermore, the illumination means may be of different colours at different locations along the gripping member so as to indicate particular parameters of the sa.me such as the ends of the gripping member as opposed to the portion of the gripping member intermediate the ends.
In another embodiment the illumination means may be of different colours and/or change colour to indicate the particular operating condition of the apparatus at that instance of time. For example, if it is detected that the apparatus is not properly fixed or not in the correct orientation then a. warning illumination may be created so as to indicate that the apparatus should not be used. Furthermore, and as illustrated with respect to Figures 4a and b, the change in colour or selection whether or not to illuminate illumination means may be used to indicate a route to be followed in an emergency situation. In this example, the premises 15 is equipped with a number of gripping members 4 in accordance with the invention and, in a normal operating condition as shown in Figure 4a, the illumination of each of the illumination means provided on the each of the gripping member 4 is operable with a first colour or set of colours when the control means determines that the same are required to be operated, such as in poor light conditions. However, if an emergency situation is detected, such as a fire alert in the premises, the control means can select to only operate the illumination means 4' or to change the colour of illumination of only those gripping members 4' of the apparatus which are located in the premises so as to indicate the designated escape route to in this example doorway 17, which should be followed to leave the premises in an emergency situation. The illumination or different colour of illumination of only selected gripping members 4' is illustrated M Figure 4b so as to guide and support the person towards the door 17. Tins ensures that the persons can use the apparatus to follow a predetermined path in an emergency or indeed to reach any predetermined location such as a restaurant, or any facility within a designated premises at a particular time and again the selective illumination of the gripping members of selected items of the apparatus within the premises can be controlled so as to be relevant at particular times of the day.
The operation of the apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is indicated in more detail with regard to Figures 2a -b wherein, there is shown apparatus which is a similar embodiment to that of Figure la.
In the first condition of the apparatus as shown in Figure 2a, the light conditions in the environment surrounding the apparatus, are good and therefore the apparatus is clearly visible to a person who may wish to use the sa.me and in this condition, the illumination means 18 are not illuminated.
In Figure 2b, the light conditions in the surrounding environment are reduced so that the available light is such as to render the location of the apparatus 2 and in particular the gripping member 4, less visible to potential. users of the same. As such, the change in the environment light conditions ha.s been detected by sensing means 20 of the control system which, in turn, have caused the illumination means 18 to be illuminated and hence provide a much clearer visual indication of the location of the gripping member of the apparatus in poor light conditions.
In one embodiment, the illumination of the illumination means, is achieved by the sensing means 20 which, is capable of detecting when light conditions fall below a predetermined level and, when tins occurs, the power to the illumination means which may be provided by power cells or mains power connection is provided and the illumination means are automatically illuminated and continue to do so until the light conditions Unprove.
Further control means can be provided such that the illumination of the illumination means 18 only occurs when, firstly, light conditions are determined to fall below the predetermined level and secondly the presence of a person in the vicinity of the apparatus is also detected. In this embodiment the illumniation means are then illuminated and continue to be illuminated for a predetermined period of time which may be adjustable, in order to allow the person to use the apparatus while the illumination means continue to be illuminated.
In a further embodiment, and which may be provided in conjunction with, or instead of, the previous embodiments, the apparatus can be electrically connected to a switch which can be manually operated and which, when operated, causes the illumination means 18 to be illuminated until the switch is again operated to turn the same off In this embodiment, the switch may be provided to be exclusively used in conjunction with the apparatus 2 and illumination means 18 for the control of the same or, alternatively, the switch is also used to operate other light sources such as, for example, room lights, external lighting or the like so that when operated, all of the lights connected thereto and the illumination means 18 are moved to an illuminated condition and returned to a non-illuminated condition by operation of the switch.
In a further embodiment as illustrated in Figure 3 electrical light sources may be replaced or used in conjunction with luminescent material which may be used to at least partially form the gripping member 4. A body of lumniescent plastics material may be located with a. frame to form the gripping member or alternatively a. length of luminescent material is attached to the gripping member. In this embodiment, when the lumniscent material is exposed to light above a certain level, such as from a switched on light source 22, the photoluminescence of the gripping member causes the same to glow 24 for a significant period of time after the exposure to the light, and after the light source may have been switched off, thereby providing the required indication of the presence of the gripping member.
In whichever embodiment, the invention as ham. I described, provides significant advantage in being able to clearly identify to a person the location and hence provide improved usage of the guidance and/or support apparatus of the type as herein described.

Claims (19)

  1. CLAIMS1.Appararus for use in the support and/or ndance of a person as they move position, said apparatus including at least one gripping member which when gripped by the said person, provides support and guidance and fixing means to allow the gripping member to be fixed to a support surface and wherein the apparatus includes illumination means to illuminate at least a portion of the said gripping member so as to indicate more clearly the presence and/or usage of the apparatus.
  2. 2. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said gripping member is elongate and the illumthation means extend along the gripping member portion.
  3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said illumination means is provided integrally with the said at least one gripping member.
  4. 4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the illumination means and/or further illumination means are provided separate to the said at least one gripping member and positioned such that when illuminated illumination of the said at least one gripping member is caused.
  5. 5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the illumination means are created by a plurality of light sources.
  6. 6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus includes control means to allow the selective activation of the illumination means.
  7. 7.Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the control means include a switch which is manually actuatable to cause a switching on or off of the illumination means.
  8. 8.Apparatus according to claim 7 wherena the said switch is independent of control means for other light sources or is the same as that which is also used to switch on and off other light sources in the same premises as which the said apparatus is fitted.
  9. 9 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the control means includes a sensing means which, when activated causes the switching on of the illumination means of the apparatus for at least a period of time thereafter.
  10. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the sensing means changes condition as a result of change in light conditions in the surrounding environment and/or movement in the surrounding environment within a predetermined range.
  11. 11.Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the illumination means are or include luminescent material and which is attached or used to fortn at least part of the said gripping member.
  12. 12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein' the colour or colours of the illumination means and/or luminescent material is selected so as to identify one or more parameters of the apparatus.
  13. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the illumination means and/or luminescent material are provided with at least a first portion of a first colour and a second portion of a second colour and differentiation between said colours is used to indicate different portions of the said gripping member.
  14. 14 Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein end portions of the gripping member located a.t, and extending inwardly from, respective opposing ends of the gripping member for a predetermined distance are provided with illumination means and/or lunathescent material of a first colour and a portion of the gripping member intermediate the said end portions is formed of illumination means and/or luminescent material of a second colour.
  15. 15. Apparatus according to any of claims 12-14 wherein the gripping member is formed with illumination means and/or luminescent material of a fir' st colour substantially along its length and equally spaced apart portions of illumination means or luminescent material or one or more further colours along its length.16. Apparatus according to any of claims 12-15 wherein at least some of the illumination means are provided to selectively emit light in at least two colours and the particular colour which is emitted is determined by the control means so as to visually indicate the operating condition of the apparatus at an instance of time.
  16. 16. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein control means control a. change of colour or selection whether or not to illuminate said illumination means so as to allow those illumination means which are illuminated and/or those which are illuminated in a specific colour to indicate a. predetermined route to be followed at a particular time, or condition..
  17. 17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of gripping members fixed at selected locations in an environment, and the illumination of the illumination means provided with respective gripping members is selected so that in a first condition all of the illumination means are rendered operable and in a second condition only a select number of illumination means are rendered operable and/or are controlled to illuminate in a different colour to the said remaining illumination means so as to indicate the predetermined route which should be followed.
  18. 18. Apparatus for support and/or guidance of a person, said apparatus including fixing means, a frame connected to the fixing means and illumination means located on or formed as at least a portion of said frame so as to form a gripping member.
  19. 19 A method for providing support and guidance to one or more persons via one or a plurality of gripping members provided with illumination means and fixed at one or more locations in an environment said method including using control means to control a change of colour and/or selection whether or not to illuminate certain of said illumination means so as to allow those illumination means which are illuminated and/or those which are illuminated in a specific colour to indicate a predetermined route to be followed at a particular time, or condition..A method according to claim 19 wherein the illumination of the illumination means provided with respective gripping members is selected so that in a first condition all of the illumination means are rendered operable and in a second condition only a. selected number of illumination means are rendered operable and/or are controlled to illuminate in a different colour to the said remaining illumination means so as to indicate the predetermnied route which should be followed.
GB2312502.4A 2022-08-17 2023-08-16 Improvements to apparatus for use in gripping and guidance of persons Pending GB2623170A (en)

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GBGB2211985.3A GB202211985D0 (en) 2022-08-17 2022-08-17 Improvements to apparatus for use in gripping and guidance of persons

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GB2623170A true GB2623170A (en) 2024-04-10

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GB2312502.4A Pending GB2623170A (en) 2022-08-17 2023-08-16 Improvements to apparatus for use in gripping and guidance of persons

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WO2002027234A1 (en) * 2000-09-29 2002-04-04 Nils Light B.V. Lighting fixture
JP2005105769A (en) * 2003-10-02 2005-04-21 Anecom Japan Kk Handrail with luminous function
US7221104B2 (en) * 1997-08-26 2007-05-22 Color Kinetics Incorporated Linear lighting apparatus and methods
WO2021026590A1 (en) * 2019-08-13 2021-02-18 Evekare Pty Ltd Grab rail
US11208029B2 (en) * 2002-07-12 2021-12-28 Yechezkal Evan Spero Adaptive headlight system

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BRPI0912977A2 (en) * 2008-05-21 2016-09-06 Inventio Ag handrail for an escalator or a treadmill
JP2013053476A (en) * 2011-09-05 2013-03-21 Sharp Corp Handrail with illumination function
US9746152B2 (en) * 2015-05-01 2017-08-29 Wayne Gerard Poole Illuminated rail
US20220010955A1 (en) * 2018-08-30 2022-01-13 Kyocera Corporation Light emitting apparatus, lighting apparatus, and gripping unit
CN112982856A (en) * 2021-02-05 2021-06-18 东莞市中扶实业有限公司 Anti-collision handrail with night light-emitting function and using method thereof

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US7221104B2 (en) * 1997-08-26 2007-05-22 Color Kinetics Incorporated Linear lighting apparatus and methods
WO2002027234A1 (en) * 2000-09-29 2002-04-04 Nils Light B.V. Lighting fixture
US11208029B2 (en) * 2002-07-12 2021-12-28 Yechezkal Evan Spero Adaptive headlight system
JP2005105769A (en) * 2003-10-02 2005-04-21 Anecom Japan Kk Handrail with luminous function
WO2021026590A1 (en) * 2019-08-13 2021-02-18 Evekare Pty Ltd Grab rail

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WO2024038271A1 (en) 2024-02-22
GB202211985D0 (en) 2022-09-28
GB202312502D0 (en) 2023-09-27

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