GB2502290A

GB2502290A - Anti-Ligature Device

Info

Publication number: GB2502290A
Application number: GB1208965.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Richard Lockett-Ford
Original assignee: DECORQUIP Ltd
Current assignee: DECORQUIP Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-22
Filing date: 2012-05-22
Publication date: 2013-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-22
Also published as: GB201208965D0; GB2502290B

Abstract

The present invention concerns an anti-ligature device. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns an anti-ligature device for use in, for example, institutions housing vulnerable people. An anti-ligature device comprises a first part 12, the first part being configured for mounting to a solid surface. The device further comprises a second part 14, wherein the second part provides a planar mounting surface for a bracket. The first part and second part are attached by a mechanical engagement between a plurality of formations, such as clips 22, the formations arranged such that the first part and second part separate should the formations experience a separation load exceeding a fixed amount.

Description

Anti-Ligature Device

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns an anti-ligature device.

More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns an anti-ligature device for use in, for example, institutions housing vulnerable people.

Background of the Invention

There is a need in many institutions to provide devices for mounting, for example, curtains anc5rmds that are not capable of being used as attachment points for ligatures in order to prevent suicide by hanging. Example institutions may be hospitals, mental institutions, prisons, schools and hospitals, and anywhere else housing vulnerable people.

An example anti-ligature device is shown in UK Patent Number 2351758 where a magnetic plate is used to provide a detachable element should someone attempt to hang themselves using the device as an anchor. Another example anti-ligature device is shown in UK Patent Number 2308406, where a joint comprising a detachable plug and socket is described.

However, magnetic devices may be expensive and also pose problems when used in close proximity to highly sensitive electronic equipment as is often found in a hospital. The plug and socket type device may operate incorrectly if the load imparted by the person attempting to hang themselves is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug and socket arrangement.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved anti-ligature device.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides, according to a first embodiment, an anti-ligature device comprising; a first part, the first part configured for mounting to a solid surface; and a second part, wherein the second part provides a the first part and second part being attached by a mechanical engagement between a plurality of formations, the formations arranged such that the first part and second part separate should the formations experience a separation load exceeding a fixed amount.

The first part and second part may be arranged to separate should the formations experience a separation load exceeding a fixed amount in a direction normal to the planar mounting surface provided by the second part.

The first part and second part may be arranged to separate should the formations experience a separation load exceeding a fixed amount in a direction parallel to the planar mounting surface provided by the second part.

Advantageously, the anti-ligature device may be arranged such that the first part and second part separate should the formations experience a separation load in either of the direction normal or parallel to the planar mounting surface provided by the second part. Advantageously, such an anti-ligature device would prevent a person hanging themselves regardless of the direction of the separation load exerted on the device. It will be appreciated that the direction of the load exerted by a person attempting to hang themselves will always be substantially downwards.

Having the arrangement as described above allows the same type of anti-ligature device to be fixed to a ceiling or a wall without any modification to the device being required..

The planar mounting surface provided by the second part may be parallel to a solid surface once the first part is attached to said solid surface. Advantageously, the anti-ligature device provides a mounting surface suitable for mounting a large variety of different bracket types. Being abteto mount many dttferenCbiackectypes tothe anti-ligature device may reduce installation costs; and alternatively or additionally allow the anti-ligature device to be retrofitted to existing installations.

The anti-ligature device may present a low profile when mounted to a solid surface. Providing a low profile, or reducing the overall "height" of the anti-ligature device may reduce the possibility of the device being used for fixing a ligature.

The formations may comprise a plurality of clips and corresponding clip receiving portions. The formations may comprise a male protrusion and corresponding female receiving portion. It may be preferred that the male protrusions are formed. on the second part of the anti-ligature device. Such an arrangement may prevent a ligature being attached to the first part comprising the female receiving portions once the anti-ligature device has separated.

At least some of the formations may be resiliently deformable. The separation of the first part and second part under load may be due to resilient deformation causing at least some of the formations to disengage. The formations may be configured for re-engagement such that they allow the first part and second part to be *reattached after they have been separated.

At least some of the formations may be configured to break off under the separation load, thereby breaking the engagement between the formations.

The first part and second part may be configured such that when in mechanical engagement, no sharp edges are provided which may be used to attach a ligature. The first part and second part may be configured sixch that when the anCiliature deVice is mounted to a solid surface, for example a wail or ceiling, no sharp edges are provided which may be used to attach a ligature. The anti-ligature device may have bevelled, chamfered, and/or smooth edges.

The first part may comprise mounting points for mounting the anti-ligature device to a wall or ceiling. The second part may cover the mounting points of the first part when in mechanical engagement with the first part. The first part may be arranged such that when the first part and second part have been separated, there are no sharp edges to which a ligature may be attached. Therefore, even when the anti-ligature device has separated, it greatly reduces the possibility ofsomeone being able to hang themselves from any part of the device.

The anti ligature device may be used to mount blinds or curtain rails from a wall or ceiling.

The anti ligature device may be produced by machining or moulding. The anti ligature device may comprise, for example a thermoplastic material, fibre glass, PVC or a metal. Preferably, the anti-ligature device is made of a material that does not fail in such a way to provide sharp edges. Such sharp edges may be used by a vulnerable person to harm themselves.

The separation load which causes the first part and second part to come apart may be approximately 40kg. The size of the separation load may be varied depending on the proposed use of the device. The separation load may be varied by, for example, increasing or decreasing the number of formations that are engaged to join the first part of the anti-ligature device to the second part of the anti-ligature device. As an example, in an institution housing children, the separation load may be reduced because of the smaller size and werqtit ofhfltren comparedto adUtts. The sktITd person will appreciate there is a balance to be struck between ensuring that the device separates at the appropriate time, but does not fail prematurely, for example, when someone draws a curtain with greater than normal force.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a first part, the first part configured as for use in an anti-ligature device as described above.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a second part, the second part configured for use in an anti-ligature device as described above.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an anti-ligature device as described above, further comprising a bracket atached to the mounting surface provided by the second part.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an anti-ligature device comprising; a first part, the first part configured for mounting to a solid surface; and a second part, wherein the second part provides a mounting surface fora bracket; and the first part and second part being attached by a mechanical engagement between a plurality of formations, the formations arranged such that the first part and second part separate should the formations experience a separation load exceeding a fixed amount.

According tb a sixth aspect of the iflvention, there is provided a method of mounting a bracket to an anti-ligature device as described above, comprising the steps of: mounting the first part of the anti-ligature device to a solid surface, atflchlng the second parCtrhe ffflBt parcby a mechanical engagement between a plurality of formations, and mounting the bracket to the mounting surface of the second part.

It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention.

Description of the Drawins

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which Figure 1 shows an anti-ligature device according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows the first part of the anti-ligature device according to the first embodiment of the invention; -7-.

Figures 3A and 3B show the second part of the anti-ligature device according to the first embodiment of the invention from the top and bottom sides respectively; Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view of the anti-ligature device shown in figure 1; and Figure 5 shows an enlarged detail of the engagement of formations of the anti-ligature device shown in figure 1.

Detailed Description

Fi-guns1, cc according to a first embodiment of the invention, comprising a first part 12 and second part 14. Figure 1 shows the anti-ligature device 10 assembled, figure 2 shows only the first part 12, and figures 3A and 3B show only the second part 14.

The first part 12 has an approximately rectangular footprint, with a first aperture 16 and second aperture 18 that allow screw devices to mount the first part to a solid surface, for example a wall or ceiling. Suspended ceilings and plasterboard walls fall within the scope of what is meant by solid surface, which should be taken to mean any surface which is suitable to fix the anti-ligature device.

The first part 12 also includes a number of receiving sections 20 spaced around the perimeter of the first part 12 that are configured to receive and engage with corresponding clip sections 22 that extend from the perimeter of the second part 14. In this embodiment, there are six receiving sections 20, a single receiving section on each of the shorter ends of the perimeter and a pair of receiving sections on each of the longer ends of the perimeter. The second part includes six pairs of clips 22 that correspond in position to the six receiving sections as previously described. The second part 14 also provides a planar mounting surface 24, including an aperture 26 which is arranged to allow brackets to be engaged with the mounting surface 24. The first part 12 and second part 14 are mechanically attached by lining up the clips 22 with the receiving sections 20 and pushing the first part 12 and second part 14 into engagement. The clips 22 will be resiliently deformed as they push over the receiving sections 20 until they have engaged with the receiving andthe enlargedview shown in figure 5, where the face 28 of the clip 22 abuts the face 30 of the receiving section 30.

In one embodiment, the clips 22 may be made of a material that snaps when an appropriately large separation load is exerted on the clips 22, for example when someone attempts to hang themselves from a bracket attached to the anti-ligature device 10, Tn such an arrangement, the second part 14 is a single use item, and must be replaced once the device has been forcibly separated.

In another embodiment, the clips 22 may be made of a resiliently deformable material that bends when an approptiately large load is exerted on the clips 22. In such *an arrangement, the second part 14 may be reusable after the device has been forcibly separated, allowing easy re-engagement with the first part 12.

The first part 12 and second part 14 are arranged such that the clips 22 and receiving portions 20 will separate provided that the separation load exerted is above a certain value. The separation load may be exerted either in a direction parallel to the planar mounting surface 24 or in a direction normal to the planar mounting surface 24. Thus the anti-ligature device may be mounted to and operate effectively on either a wall or ceiling.

As can be seen in figures 1 to 4, the first part 12 and second part 14 include bevelled edges around their respective perimeters so that it is not possible to attach a ligature to the first pat or second part. The first part 12 is shaped such that even when separated there are no edges that could be used for attaching a ligature. The bevelled edges are arranged to provide a smooth, continuous surface when the first part 12 and second part 14 are joined together in order to prevenCanyligature being attfEcrtD the device.

The first part 12 is shaped to sit flush to any flat surface to which it is mounted, for example a wall or ceiling, providing no opportunity to attach or ioop a ligature through a space between the first part 12 and the surface to which it is mounted. The anti-ligature device is arranged to provide a low-profile when mounted to a solid surface in order to reduce the possibility of providing a fixing point for a ligature.

In use, once the anti-ligature device has been mounted to a wall br ceiling, a bracket may be mounted to the mounting surface 24 in order to support, for example, a set of blinds or curtains. Should someone fix a ligature to the bracket attached to the mounting surface 24 of the second part, and then attempt to hang themselves, the load exerted on the device by the ligature will cause the device to separate, thus foiling the suicide attempt.

The separation force may be 40kg. In alternative embodiments the separation load may be increased or -10 -decreased in dependence on the expected use of the device.

The skilled person will appreciate that there is a balance to be struck between the device separating when someone attempts suicide, and the device not separating during normal use of the blind, curtain etc. that is attached to the device.

The anti-ligature device may be attached to a solid surface, and a bracket mounted on the mounting surface of the second part of the anti-ligature device. An advantage of the present invention is the ease of such an operation and no further description of the method of mounting a bracket to the anti-ligature device is required.

wrincme presencinvemrPstiThas beeflescritdmrm illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations will now be described.

The size of the separation load required to detach the first part from the second part may be varied by increasing or decreasing the number of formations, in this case clips and receiving sections, that are engaged when the first part and second part are joined. Alternatively or additionally, the size of the clips and/or the resilience or breaking point of the material used to make the clips may be varied.

In an alternative embodiment, the mounting surface may be non-planar. The mounting surface may be shaped to provide a mounting surface for specially shaped brackets.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or

elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should

I

-11 -be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

-12 -Claims 1. An anti-ligature device comprising; a first part, the first part configured for mounting to a solid surface; and a second part, wherein the second part provides a planar mounting surface for a bracket; and the first part and second part being attached by a mechanical engagement between a plurality of formations, the formations arranged such that the first part and second part separate should the fcrmations experience a separation load exceeding a fixed amount.
2. An anti-ligature device as claimed in claim 1, the first part and second part being arranged to separate should the formations experience a separation load exceeding a fixed amount in a direction normal to the planar mounting surface provided by the second part.
3. An anti-ligature device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, the first part and second part being arranged to separate should the formations experience a separation load exceeding a fixed amount in a direction parallel to the planar mounting surface provided by the second part.
4. An anti-ligature device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the formations comprise a plurality of clips and corresponding clip receiving portions.
5. An anti-ligature device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the formations comprise a plurality of male protrusions and corresponding female receiving portions.

-13 -
6. An anti-ligature device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the formations are resiliently deformable.
7. An anti-ligature device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the separation of the first part and second part under load is effected by resilient deformation causing at least some of the formations to disengage.
8. An anti-ligature device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the formations allow the first part and second part to bereattachedafter they -have been stpatated.
9. An anti-ligature device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein at leastsotheof the formations are configured to break off under the separation load, thereby breaking the engagement between the formations.
10. An anti-ligature device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first part and second part may be configured such that when in mechanical engagement, no sharp edges are provided which may be used to attach a ligature.
11. An anti-ligature device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device has bevelled, chamfered, and/or smooth edges.
12. An anti-ligature device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first part comprises mounting points for mounting the anti-ligature device to a wall or ceiling.

-14 -
13. An anti-ligature device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second part covers the mounting points of the first part when in mechanical engagement with the first part.
14. An anti-ligature device substantially as herein described with reference to any of Figs. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, of the accompanying drawings.
15. A method of mounting a bracket to an anti-ligature device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of: mounting the first part of the anti-ligature device to a solid surface, --attaching the second part to the first part by a mechanical engagement between a plurality of formations, and mounting the bracket to the mounting surface of the second part.