EP3090640B1 - Ground guidance system for persons with reduced or without visual capacity - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a ground control system for people with limited or no vision.
Floor guidance systems for people with limited or no vision (visual impairment) are known, for example, from public areas in train stations, bus stops, road intersections, etc., and consist of tactile detectable structures embedded in the floor, which point the person with impaired vision through his long pole and Z. B. also warn of dangers. The tactile detectable structures are usually raised grooves and / or nubs. In principle, such floor guidance systems can also be used indoors.
Such a ground control system is used for example in DE 20 2005 010 029 U1 described. This has both tactile perceptible longitudinal grooves and an LED light strip. The soil guide system disclosed therein consists of a base profile which essentially has two longitudinal grooves; a first groove, in which a plastic profile is inserted with grooves, and next to a second groove, in which the LED light strip is inserted. In this respect, this floor indicator can be perceived tactilely as well as optically (by persons with residual vision). The soil guidance system described therein is intended to be inserted into a trough-like depression so that it is flush with the ground. Another floor guidance system with two types of strips extending in the longitudinal direction of the floor guidance system, which differ in tactile perceptibility, describes the DE 20 2014 001 881 U1 , In addition, simple floor guide elements are known, which are superficially glued or screwed to the floor, but this causes a stumbling hazard. Based on this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved floor guidance system, which also allows for good visibility of the tactile detectable structures without auxiliary energy, the orientation of persons with residual power.
This object is achieved by a floor control system having the features of independent claim 1.

In a first embodiment, the ground control system according to the invention for people with limited or no vision has two or more types of strips extending in the longitudinal direction of the floor guidance system, which differ in the tactile perceivability of their upper sides. The strips of at least one of the strip types consist of a coextruded plastic extruded profile and have on their upper side a phosphorescent or fluorescent component.

The floor control system can be used indoors or outdoors. The ground control system according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to guide both persons without sight by perceiving the differences of the tactile surfaces with their long sticks, as well as to guide persons with residual vision over the luminescent surfaces. Advantageously, the floor control system also allows orientation of normal vision In the dark, for example in the event of a power failure. The light emission of the tops of the luminescent strips is via luminescence and, if they are at the appropriate energy level, thus independent of auxiliary energy. For this reason, the ground control system according to the invention is suitable as part of an emergency equipment.
The luminescent strips may each be adjacent to a strip of the other or another type. In this way, both the light-dark contrast can be increased and the tactile perceptibility of the different tops of the strips of both types can be improved. The upper sides of the further strip (s) can advantageously be designed such that they in turn form a tactile, well-perceivable difference from the luminescent strip.
In a further embodiment, the floor guidance system may comprise a group of several parallel aligned rails, wherein either the luminescent strips and the strips of the second or the further type are present in a common rail corresponding width, or wherein in each rail each luminescence strip or a strip of the second or another type. there For example, the profile rails for luminescent strips or strips of the second or further type may be different, for example of different widths.

In an embodiment in which both the luminescent strip and the other / further strips are assigned to a common rail, the rail should have a certain minimum width due to the intentional distinguishability of the tactile tops, which can be determined for example on the basis of the usual dimensions of a probe of a long stick ,

It is preferred that in each rail only one luminescent strip or a strip of the second or further type is present. Preferably, the profile rails with luminescent strips can then be arranged alternately with the rails with the other strips in order to achieve tactile distinctness.

Furthermore, the luminescent strips and / or the strips of the other or further type can each be formed integrally with the profile rail or the profile rails each have a profile body having on its upper side a receiving groove in the same luminescence strip or strip of the second or further type is arranged.

Due to the separate construction of profile body and luminescent strip or other strips is advantageously possible that heavily loaded and exposed to abrasion strips can be replaced.

The profile body may be made of metal, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the luminescent strip or other strips, however, made of a different material.

As an alternative to the above, it is possible for the strips of the floor guidance system, luminescent strips and strips of the second or further type, to be formed in a receptacle, preferably a frame (for example made of metal), a depression of the floor or a trough, to be included. You could see the frame / recess as a somewhat wider profile rail whose side walls surround all strips.

The frame or the trough-like depression of the floor can advantageously correspond to the height of the floor guidance system, in particular the height of the strips, so that it is flush with the floor. Furthermore, it can be laid on the ground and have start-up profiles so that the risk of tripping is minimized. Of course, combinations of the latter variants are also possible. For example, a floor guidance system with profile rails can also be accommodated in a frame or a trough-like depression.
In yet another embodiment, the luminescent strip may consist of a luminescent material or have only one luminescent surface.
Further, the luminescent strip may be arcuate in cross-section at its top. According to the invention, it is provided that the luminescent strip consists of a coextruded plastic extruded profile and has phosphorescent properties on the upper side. However, it is also not excluded that the luminescent strip has fluorescent properties at the top. It may be provided in particular that the arch shape of the top protrudes a little way beyond the adjacent strips, so that they can be felt very well.
According to yet another embodiment, the strips of the other or further type may have tactile perceivable structures on their upper side, preferably raised grooves, nubs, bristles, brush elements or other structures perceptible with a long stick. In this case, longitudinal grooves in particular are considered to be advantageous since, together with the curved top side of the luminescent guide strip, they allow a good longitudinal orientation on the one hand and enable a tactile, easily perceptible feedback when leaving the predetermined direction on the other hand.
Furthermore, the rails can be connected by transverse to the rails connecting means, preferably ropes. Here, spacers, such as plastic discs o. Ä., Are mounted between the rails, while the ropes are threaded through the rails.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the floor control system has a further group of profile rails, which is aligned with the first group of profile rails at an angle, suitably a right angle. One or more of the profile rails of the further group of profile rails can / may have cleaning elements on their upper side have, for example, bristles, masking tapes, cleaning teeth, nubs.

It is envisaged that the first and the second group of profile rails jerky meet. The orientation of the second group of profiles at a right angle allows even better tactile feedback when leaving the predetermined path. Advantageously, it is also possible according to this embodiment, to integrate the control system in an entrance mat system, so then both a guiding function and cleaning function is given. As an alternative to the second group of profile rails, the first group of profile rails can also be embedded in another floor covering, such as a carpet, parquet, tiles or the like.

According to an additional development, luminescent strips and / or other strips can have at least one coupling device which is designed to couple the luminescent strip and / or the strip of the other or further type with the receiving groove of the profile body. The coupling device can be present approximately at one or both side surface (s) of the strips; there may also be barbs and preferably at least along a longitudinal axis portion of the strip extend, preferably over the entire length. Alternatively, the coupling device may also be a recess which extends on at least one side surface at least along a longitudinal axis portion of the luminescent strip and / or the strip of the other or further type.

By detachably coupling the luminescent strip and / or the strip of the other or another type to the receiving groove, worn strips can be easily exchanged and end-of-life recycling is simplified. If the strips have a constant cross-section over their entire length, they can be produced easily and inexpensively by extrusion or extrusion. In this case, the barb and / or the recess can be easily manufactured in the same process step together with the body.

Furthermore, the receiving groove can be formed by two side walls of the profile body, between which a first transverse web extends. In addition, at least one further transverse web may be present below the first transverse web. Furthermore, a cavity or a plurality of cavities may be present between the first and the at least one further transverse web.

An embodiment with more than one transverse web offers the advantage that the profiled rail can be designed to be very rigid, as a result of which the guide strip can be held securely and permanently in the receiving groove, since the profiled rail deforms less even under load.

According to an additional embodiment, at least one of the side walls of the profile body at its end, which forms the receiving groove, have a in the direction of the receiving groove facing clamping collar. The clamping collar is adapted to provide support for the coupling device of the strip (which strip generally means all of the strips described in such a context). In addition, the clamping collar on a surface facing the top tactile perceptible structures, preferably longitudinal grooves have.

The clamping collar extends along the longitudinal axis of the rail, it is advantageous if this is formed integrally with the rail. The clamping collar supports the secure fixation of the strip in the receiving groove. The barb of the strip can be supported on the clamping collar in order to fix it in a form-fitting manner. For installation, the strip can simply be clipped into the receiving groove from the top or pulled in longitudinally.

Finally, there may be at least one damping strip on at least one of the profile rails, which is connected to the profile body. The damping strip may consist of a plastic, preferably of an elastomer.

In particular, the side walls of the profile rail may extend beyond the lower transverse web, wherein this region of the side walls forms lower free side wall sections. In this case, the free side wall sections form a damping strip receiving groove, in which a damping strip is inserted, which can be connected to the profile rail with any known fastening means (for example clipped in a form-fitting manner) and whose function is known to the person skilled in the art. He should z. B. dampen the impact sound.

Other embodiments as well as some of the advantages associated with these and other embodiments will become apparent and better understood by the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. objects or parts thereof that are substantially the same or similar may be provided with the same reference numerals. The figures are merely schematic representations of embodiments of the invention.

Showing:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of the floor guidance system,

Fig. 2

a cross-sectional view of a rail with a luminescent strip,

Fig. 3

a perspective view of another embodiment of the floor guidance system,

Fig. 4

a cross-sectional view of the luminescent strip,

Fig. 5

a cross-sectional view of a rail without Lumineszenzeiganschaft,

Fig. 6

Cross-sectional view of the floor control system Fig. 3 .

Fig. 7

Cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a floor guidance system.

This in Fig.1 shown floor control system 10 is composed of a plurality of rails 20,30, which are mounted parallel to each other and form the first group of rails 20,30. There are profile rails of a first type 20 and profile rails of a second type 30; in the rail of the first type 20, a luminescent strip 1 is received on the upper side, which is designed to emit light at its upper side by luminescence. In the profile rails of the second type 30, a strip 2 of a different type is accommodated on the upper side, which differs in the tactile perceptibility of its upper side from the luminescent strip. The strips 2 accommodated in the profile rails 30 have tactilely perceptible structures on their upper side, in this case bristle elements 15 (in a non-figurative embodiment, they may also be other structures, such as knobs or grooves), so that, compared to the profile rails of the first type 20, the longitudinal direction of the rails can be easily felt. The rails 20,30 are interconnected by cross-connector, such as ropes, with spacers are provided therebetween.

The ground control system 10 shown also has a further group of rails 40, which run at right angles to the first group of rails 20,30 and meet on the longitudinal sides in shock on the rails 20,30 of the first group. The profile rails 40 have on their upper side cleaning elements, such as ribs, bristles o. Ä. The rails 20,30 of the first group are installed in a free space or a recess of the rails 40; It is thus advantageous to use in a Eingangssmaltensystem known type possible. The ground control system 10 shown therefore represents a combination device with cleaning and guiding function.

The rail 20 of the first type carrying the luminescent strip 1 is shown in more detail in a cross-sectional view in FIG Fig. 2 shown. The luminescent strip 1 is received in an upper-side receiving groove 22 of a profile body 200 of the profile rail 20. The receiving groove 22 is formed by upper portions of the side walls 24 of the profile body 200, which extend beyond an upper transverse web 25 addition, and the upper transverse web 25 itself. At the upper free ends of the side walls 24 in each case a clamping collar 24 'is arranged. The luminescent strip 1 is supported on this clamping collar 24 'and can simply be inserted from above into the receiving groove 22 or retracted in the longitudinal direction. The clamping collar 24 'has on its upper side longitudinal grooves 201, which are well tactile perceptible in addition to the curved in cross section top of the guide strip 1.

Furthermore, the profile body 200 has a cavity 26 which lies between the upper transverse web 25 and the lower transverse web 27. At the level of the cavity 26 are in the rope walls 24 opposite through holes before (not shown here, see Fig. 3 ), through which a wire rope can be threaded through to the rail 20 with the other rails 20,30 (see Fig. 1 ) and to form the ground control system 10 according to the invention. However, the side walls 24 of the profile body 200 also extend on the underside over the lower transverse web 27 and form a damping strip receiving groove 28 in which a rubber damping strip 23 is retracted.

Fig. 3 shows a further perspective view of a floor control system 10, which is substantially the Fig.1 corresponds, except for the difference that there are no rails of the other group, which run at a right angle to the rails 20,30 has. In the illustration shown, the through holes 21 can be seen in the side walls of the profile body, through which the cables are threaded to the cross connection.

In Fig. 4 the luminescent strip 1 is shown in a cross-sectional view, wherein in particular the shape of the base 13 can be seen, which is formed so that the luminescent strip 1 on the collar 24 'of the receiving groove 22 of the profile body 200 (see Fig. 2 ) can support. At the same time, the base 13 tapers downwards, so that Lumineszenzstreifen1 can be easily retracted. According to the invention, it is provided that a separate thin luminescent band 14 is attached to the base 13.
Fig. 5 shows a cross section of the rail 30, which carries a strip 2 without Lumineszenzzeigenschaft. The profile body 300 is wider and has on its underside two damping strips 33. The side walls 34 extend here also at the bottom over the lower cross bar 37 and form together with two arranged therebetween Seitenwandslreifen 39 two damping strip-receiving grooves 38. At the free ends the side wall strip 39 and the protruding portion of the side walls 34 each have a collar 34 ", 39 'arranged, which makes it possible to hold the damping strip 33.
The strip 2 has raised grooves 12 at its upper surface as tactile perceivable structures and is received in the receiving groove 32 formed by upper portions of the side walls 34 extending beyond the upper transverse web 35 and the upper transverse web 35 itself. As an alternative to the grooves 12, of course, the in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 shown bristles 15 may be provided. At the upper free ends of the side walls 34 is in each case a clamping collar 34 'angeordet extending parallel to the side walls 34 in the image plane. The strip 2 is supported on this clamping collar 34 'with the barbs 14. Furthermore, the profile body 200 has a cavity 36 which lies between the upper transverse web 35 and the lower transverse web 37. At the level of the cavity 36 are in the side walls 34 opposite through holes 31 for the rope before.
In one embodiment, not shown, it may also be provided that both the luminescence strip 1 (see FIG Fig. 2 ) as well as the other / further strips without Lumineszzeigenschaft are included, so that the strips of both types are 1.2 next to each other.
In Fig. 6 is finally in the Fig. 3 shown bottom guide system in a cross-sectional view, the arrangement of the two types of rails 20,30 is clear. Between the rails 20,30, the spacers 50 are shown, which in turn have a passage opening for the cable for the cross-connection of the rails 20,30, which is not shown. The spacers 50 may conveniently be made of a plastic, such as rubber.

In Fig. 7 a further cross-sectional view is shown, in which case (longitudinal) grooves 12 are provided instead of bristles on the upper side of the strip 2 without Lumineszenzzeigenschaft.

Claims (15)

1. A ground guidance system (10) for persons with reduced or without visual capacity, wherein the ground guidance system (10)
   has at least two types of strips running in the longitudinal direction of the ground guidance system (10),
   said strips differing in the tactile perceptibility of their upper sides,
   characterized in that
   the strips are one of the types of luminescent strips (1) which consist of a coextruded plastic profile, which have a phosphorescent or fluorescent component on their upper side.
2. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the luminescent strips (1) are each provided adjacent to a strip of the second or a further type (2).
3. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that

   - the ground guidance system has at least one group consisting of a plurality of profile rails (20, 30) that are aligned in parallel with respect to each other, wherein either

   - the luminescent strips (1) and the strips of the second and/or the further type (2) are provided in a common profile rail (20, 30), or

   - one luminescent strip (1) or one strip of the second or further type (2) is provided in each of the profile rails (20, 30), wherein the profile rails (20, 30) may be different for said luminescent strips (1) or said strips of the second or further type (2).
4. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with Claim 3,
   characterized in that

   - the luminescent strip (1) and/or the strip of the second or further type (2) is/are formed integrally with the profile rail (20, 30), or

   - each profile rail (20, 30) has a profile body (200, 300) which has a receiving groove (22, 32) on its upper side, with at least one strip, luminescent strip (1) or strip of the other or further type (2) being received in said receiving groove (22, 32).
5. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the luminescent strips (1) and the strips of the other or further type (2) are designed to be received in a receptacle, preferably in a frame, a recess of the ground or a trough, without the use of a profile rail.
6. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with at least one of Claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that
   the luminescent strip (1) consists of a luminescent material or has only a luminescent surface.
7. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with at least one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that
   the luminescent strip (1)

   - is curved on its upper side (11) as seen in cross-section.
8. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with at least one of Claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that
   the strips of the second or further type (2) have structures, preferably raised furrows (12), knobs, bristles (15), brush elements or other structures that can be perceived with a white cane, on their upper side that can be perceived in a tactile manner.
9. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with at least one of Claims 3 to 8,
   characterized in that
   the profile rails (20, 30) are connected through connection means, preferably ropes, that are running transversely with respect to the profile rails (20, 30).
10. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with at least one of Claims 3 to 9,
    characterized in that
    the ground guidance system (10) has a further group of profile rails (40) which are aligned with the first group of profile rails (20, 30) at an angle, preferably a right angle, wherein at least one of the profile rails (40) of the further group of profile rails (40) preferably has cleaning elements, more preferably bristles, crepe tapes, cleaning teeth, knobs, on its upper side.
11. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with at least one of Claims 4 to 10,
    characterized in that
    the luminescent strip (1) and/or the strip of the second or further type (2) has at least one coupling device (14) which is configured to couple the luminescent strip (1) and/or the strip of the second or further type (2) to the receiving groove (22, 32), wherein the coupling device (14) is preferably provided on at least one lateral surface of the luminescent strip (1) and/or the strip of the second or further type (2).
12. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with Claim 11,
    characterized in that
    the coupling device (14)

    - has at least one barbed hook (14) which is arranged on a lateral surface of the luminescent strip (1) and/or the strip of the second or further type (2) and preferably extends at least along a longitudinal axis section of the luminescent strip (1) and/or the strip of the second or further type (2), more preferably over the entire length of the luminescent strip (1) and/or the strip of the second or further type (2), or

    - is a recess which extends on at least one lateral surface at least along a longitudinal axis section of the luminescent strip (1) and/or the strip of the second or further type (2).
13. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with at least one of Claims 4 to 12,
    characterized in that
    the receiving groove (22, 32) is designed by two side walls (24, 34) of the profile body (200, 300), with a first cross bar (25, 35) extending between said two side walls (24, 34), and wherein at least one further cross bar (27, 37) is preferably provided below the first cross bar (25, 35), and wherein a cavity (26, 36) or a plurality of cavities (26, 36) is preferably provided between the first cross bar and the at least one further cross bar (27, 37).
14. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with Claim 13,
    characterized in that
    at least one of the side walls (24, 34) of the profile body (200, 300) has at its end forming the receiving groove (22, 32) a clamping collar (24', 34') pointing towards the receiving groove (22, 32), said clamping collar (24', 34') being adapted to form a support for a coupling device (14) of the luminescent strip (1) and/or the strip of the second or further type (2),
    wherein the clamping collar (24', 34') has on a surface facing the upper side structures that can be perceived in a tactile manner, preferably longitudinal furrows (201).
15. The ground guidance system (10) in accordance with at least one of Claims 3 to 14,
    characterized in that
    at least one damping strip (23, 33) is provided on a bottom side of at least one of the profile rails (20, 30), said damping strip (23, 33) preferably being connected to the profile body (200, 300),
    wherein the damping strip (23) consists of a plastic material, preferably of an elastomer material.

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