GB2537912A

GB2537912A - Anti-ligature bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2537912A
Application number: GB1507432.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Parsons Garth; Parsons Ryan
Original assignee: Yewdale Corp Ltd
Current assignee: Yewdale Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2015-04-30
Filing date: 2015-04-30
Publication date: 2016-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-30
Also published as: GB2537912B; GB201507432D0

Abstract

An anti-ligature bracket 10 comprises a fixing for attaching the bracket to a building surface, an attachment location 12from which an item 32 is able to be detachably suspended in use and a sensor 16 (not shown) configured to monitor the status of the location and, based on the monitoring, to provide an indication of whether or not an item has become detached from the location. In use the bracket provides a magnetic or mechanical interlock that disengages under overload conditions with the sensor monitoring whether the parts of the bracket are engaged or disengaged.

Description

ANTI-LIGATURE BRACKET

The present invention relates to an anti-ligature bracket and an anti-ligature bracket system.

In order to reduce the risk of persons successfully hanging themselves when resident in certain institutions (e.g. psychiatric hospitals, prisons, detention centres, etc.), it is known to suspend items such as clothes hooks and curtain tracks from one or more anti-ligature brackets. These may use releasable attachment means that are magnetically or otherwise interconnected. When a person makes a hanging attempt by attaching a makeshift noose to the item, the weight of the person is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction (or other resistive force) and separate the item from the bracket. This can prevent the item from being used as a viable hanging point. One such magnetic anti-ligature bracket is described in GB 2351758. Although the known anti-ligature brackets may prevent successful hanging attempts, the person making the attempt may try to hide their failed attempt by replacing the item on the brackets. Furthermore, although the hanging attempt may not have been successful, the person making that attempt may still have physically injured themselves in the process, and the staff members at the institution may be unaware of this. Further it is possible that removed fittings can be used for inappropriate purposes such as weapons to attack others. Thus, with the known anti-ligature brackets, timely and appropriate psychological or physical treatment may not be provided or other appropriate remedial action taken.

It is a principal aim of this invention to provide an improved anti-ligature bracket that overcomes the drawbacks of the known brackets.

Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an anti-ligature bracket comprising: a fixing arrangement for attaching the bracket to a building surface; an attachment location from which an item is able to be detachably suspended; and a sensor configured to monitor the status of the location and, based on the monitoring, to provide an indication of whether or not an item has become detached from the location The present invention will primarily be discussed in respect of a magnetic attachment of the item to the bracket nevertheless the item may be suspended at the attachment location by a variety of means, magnetic or otherwise, as long as these allow detachment above a suitable threshold load. The attachment may be magnetic in nature, with the attachment location being a magnetic or ferromagnetic location. Other releasable attachment mechanisms may include parts that frictionally or resiliently inter-engage.

According to a particular aspect of the invention there is provided an anti-ligature bracket comprising: a fixing arrangement for attaching the bracket to a building surface; a magnetic or ferromagnetic location from which an item is able to be magnetically suspended; and a sensor configured to monitor the status of the location and, based on the monitoring, to provide an indication of whether or not an item has become detached from the location.

As will be appreciated, the present invention can reduce the risk of successful hanging attempts being made using the item. In particular, the item can become detached from the location due to the weight of the person overcoming the magnetic attraction (or other resistive force) between the location and the item. Furthermore, the resultant indication of detachment -3 -provided by the sensor can be used to notify staff members of the hanging attempt. Staff members can then respond to any injuries that the person making the hanging attempt may have, and can undertake appropriate therapy to reduce the risk of future hanging attempts being made by that person.

In preferred embodiments, the sensor comprises a magnetic field sensor, such as a Hall Effect sensor. In these embodiments, the magnitude of the magnetic field measured by the sensor may indicate whether or not an item is attached at the location. The sensor is therefore preferably situated within the magnetic field that exists when an item is magnetically suspended from the location in use. In particular, the sensor is preferably situated behind the location since this has been identified as the region that is most effective for monitoring detachment. However, the sensor may instead be situated to one side of the location since the magnetic field can extend to that region in use.

In less preferred embodiments, the sensor may comprise an optical sensor. In these embodiments, the sensor may indicate that the item has become detached from the location when there is an absence of an optical (e.g. visible, infrared or ultraviolet) signal that is sent, or reflected, from the item to the bracket. In other less preferred embodiments, the sensor may comprise an electrical sensor. In these embodiments, the sensor may indicate that the item has become detached from the location when there is an absence of an electrical current or voltage conducted from the bracket through the item and back to the bracket. In other less preferred embodiments, the sensor may comprise a mechanical sensor. In these embodiments, the sensor may indicate that the item has become detached from the location when a push button between the item and the bracket is no longer depressed.

In any of the above embodiments, the sensor may be configured to monitor the location and/or provide the indication periodically so as to conserve power. The indication may, for example, be provided by a voltage or current.

For example, detachment may be indicated when the voltage or current is within a first range. Similarly, attachment may be indicated when the voltage or current is outside the first range and/or within a second range. Alternatively, detachment may be indicated by the presence or absence of a voltage or current.

The indication provided by the sensor may be outputted directly, e.g. by a transmitter, from the bracket for use or processing elsewhere. However, in preferred embodiments, the bracket comprises a controller (e.g. a microcontroller) that processes the indication. In these embodiments, the controller is preferably configured to process the indication provided by the sensor and, based on the processing, is preferably configured to provide a status signal that specifies whether or not an item has become detached from the location. Detachment may be determined by the controller when a voltage or current from the sensor is measured as being within a first range. Similarly, attachment may be determined by the controller when a voltage or current from the sensor is measured as being outside the first range and/or within a second range. The first range and/or second range may be defined by one or more threshold voltages or currents. A suitable first range and/or second range may be determined experimentally for the bracket. The first range and/or second range may be universal for all similar such brackets. Alternatively, a suitable first range and/or second range may be determined experimentally for each similar such bracket and/or by calibrating each similar such bracket.

As will be appreciated, the status signal may be a "detached status 5 signal" specifying that the item has become detached from the location or may be an "attached status signal" specifying that the item is attached at the location. These status signals may be specified by one or more predefined fixed logic levels or by one or more predefined serial codes. A detached status signal may be provided substantially immediately after detachment has been 10 determined so as to ensure a rapid response from staff members. An attached status signal, however, may only be provided periodically in order to conserve power.

The status signal may be used within the bracket, e.g. to operate an audible or visual alarm that forms part of the bracket. However, in preferred embodiments, the bracket comprises a transmitter configured to transmit to a central unit a status signal that specifies whether or not an item has become detached from the location. The status signal may be, or may be based on, the above-mentioned status signal provided by the controller. A detached status signal may be transmitted substantially immediately after detachment has been determined so as to ensure a rapid response from staff members An attached status signal, however, may only be transmitted periodically in order to conserve power.

In preferred embodiments, the transmitter is configured to transmit, together with the status signal, an identity signal for the bracket to the central unit. This can allow the central unit to distinguish the bracket from other similar such brackets and allow the staff members rapidly to locate the bracket in question.

In preferred embodiments, the transmitter is a wireless transmitter. This avoids the need to provide the bracket with signal cabling, which may present an additional hanging risk. Similarly, the bracket may comprise an internal power supply, preferably in the form of a battery, for directly or indirectly powering the sensor. An internal power supply avoids the need to provide the bracket with power cabling, which again may present an additional hanging risk.

The internal power supply may also directly or indirectly power the controller and/or transmitter, if provided.

In preferred embodiments, the location comprises a magnetic part. In these embodiments, the bracket may be used with an item that comprises a ferromagnetic material or with an item that comprises a magnetic part having the opposite polarity to the location. In either case, the magnetic part of the location may be provided by a permanent magnet at or near the location that allows an item to be magnetically suspended from the location. In less preferred embodiments, the location comprises a ferromagnetic material. In these embodiments, the bracket may be used with an item that comprises a magnetic part.

In preferred embodiments, the bracket comprises a housing that contains the various components referred to above, such as the sensor, controller, transmitter, power supply, and/or magnetic part. The housing preferably has a smooth outer profile to prevent the bracket itself being used as a viable hanging point. Although the components referred to above, such as the sensor, controller, transmitter, power supply, and/or magnetic part may usually and preferably be in the bracket, it is possible that some or all of these may be in or on the item that connects to the bracket The bracket of the present invention may be provided on its own or may form part of an anti-ligature bracket system comprising one or more similar such brackets. Thus, according to another aspect of this invention there is provided an anti-ligature bracket system comprising one or more brackets as described herein. A plurality of such brackets may be used to suspend a larger and/or heavier item, or may be used to suspend different items.

The system preferably further comprises a central unit comprising a receiver, the central unit being configured to provide an alarm signal responsive to receiving a detached status signal from at least one of the one or more brackets. The alarm signal may be specified by one or more predefined fixed logic levels or by one or more predefined serial codes. As with the transmitter, the receiver is preferably wireless so as to avoid the use of signal cabling. The system preferably further comprises one or more alarms configured to operate responsive to an alarm signal being provided by the central unit. The one or more alarms may each be audible and/or visual. In preferred embodiments, the central unit is also configured to provide an indication of normal operation responsive to receiving an attached status signal from each or all of the one or more brackets. The indication of normal operation may be audible and/or visual and is preferably periodic. The indication of normal operation is also preferably less frequent and/or lower in intensity than the output provided by the one or more alarms, so as to inform staff that the system is operating normally without causing annoyance.

In preferred embodiments, the central unit is configured to distinguish the one or more brackets from one another using an identity signal received from each of the one or more brackets. The central unit is preferably further configured to indicate from which of the one or more brackets a detached status signal and/or an attached status signal has been received. This can allow staff members rapidly to locate any detached brackets.

The system may be provided on its own or may be provided with one or more items for suspending from the one or more brackets. As will be appreciated, the term "item" used herein may refer to any suitable fixture or fitting that would otherwise be mounted directly to a building surface, such as a wall or ceiling. For example, the item may be a curtain track, a vertical blind track or bracket, a roller blind bracket, a shelf, a clothes hook, a clothes rail, or a bathroom accessory (soap dish, soap dispenser, paper towel dispenser, toilet roll holder, towel rail, shower head holder, etc.).

By way of example only, embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1A and 1B show anti-ligature brackets according to alternative embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an anti-ligature bracket system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows the relative positions of a sensor and a magnet in an anti-ligature bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 shows an item for use with an anti-ligature bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference will initially be made to Figures 1A and 1B, which show alternative anti-ligature brackets 10. The bracket 10 of Figure 1A can be mounted to a substantially horizontal ceiling with a fixing arrangement provided on its upper surface (not shown). The bracket 10 of Figure 1B can be mounted to a substantially vertical wall with a fixing arrangement provided on its rear surface (again not shown). In both cases, the bracket 10 comprises a permanent magnet 12 held within a housing 14. The housing 14 has a smooth outer profile to prevent the bracket 10 being used as a viable hanging point.

The magnet 12 provides a location that allows an item to be magnetically suspended therefrom. An exemplary item 32 is shown in Figure 4. The item 32 comprises a clothes hook 34 and a ferromagnetic material 30 that can be used to attach the item 32 to the magnet 12. As will be discussed in more detail below, the housing 14 also contains other components (a sensor, a controller, a transmitter, and a power supply) for remotely monitoring the status of the bracket 10. The relative positions of the sensor 16, magnet 12, and ferromagnetic material 30 of the item 32, in use, are shown schematically in Figure 3. As is shown in Figure 3, the sensor 16 is situated behind the magnet 12. This has been identified as the region within the bracket 10 that is most effective for monitoring detachment of an item. -to -

Reference will now be made to Figure 2, which shows an anti-ligature bracket system 15 comprising a plurality of anti-ligature brackets 10a-c. Each of the brackets 10a-c is similar to the brackets 10 described with reference to Figures 1A and 1B. As is shown in Figure 2, each of the brackets 10a-c 5 comprises a Hall Effect sensor 16 ("Detachment Sensor") configured periodically to monitor the magnetic field within that bracket and, based on that monitoring, output a voltage that varies as a function of the magnetic field. In this embodiment, a higher output voltage indicates that an item is attached to the magnet 12 and a lower output voltage indicates that an item has become 10 detached from the magnet 12.

Each of the brackets 10a-c further comprises a microcontroller 18 that processes the output voltage provided by the sensor 16 and, based on that processing, provides a status signal that specifies whether or not an item has become detached from the magnet 12. In this embodiment, detachment is determined by the microcontroller 18 when the output voltage from the sensor 16 is measured as being below a first threshold voltage, whereas attachment is determined by the microcontroller 18 when the output voltage from the sensor 16 is measured as being above a second threshold voltage that is higher than the first threshold voltage. Each of the brackets 10a-c further comprises a wireless transmitter 20 ("RF Transceiver") that transmits the status signal provided by the microcontroller 18 to a central unit 24 ("Control Box"). The transmitter 20 also transmits, together with the status signal, an identity signal for the bracket 10a-c in question to the central unit 24.

-11 -Each of the brackets 10a-c further comprises an internal power supply 22 in the form of a battery that is connected to the microcontroller 18. The power supply also powers the sensor 16 and transmitter 20 via the microcontroller 18. A detached status signal is provided by the microcontroller 18 and transmitted by the transmitter 20 substantially immediately after detachment has been determined so as to ensure a rapid response from staff members, whereas an attached status signal is only provided and transmitted periodically in order to conserve battery power.

The central unit 24 comprising a wireless receiver (not shown) that receives the status signals from the brackets 10a-c. The central unit 24 then either provides an alarm signal responsive to receiving from at least one of the brackets 10a-c a detached status signal, or periodically provides an indication of normal operation responsive to receiving an attached status signal from all of the brackets 10a-c.

The system 15 further comprises at least one audible alarm 26, which is within hearing range of a staff member 28. The alarm 26 is configured to sound responsive to an alarm signal being provided by the central unit 24. The central unit 24 also determines which of the brackets 10a-c provided the detached status signal using the identity signal received from that bracket. The central unit 24 then visually indicates to the staff member 28 the bracket from which the detached status signal was received. This allows the staff member 28 rapidly to locate the bracket in question.

Claims

CLAI MS1. An anti-ligature bracket comprising: a fixing arrangement for attaching the bracket to a building surface; an attachment location from which an item is able to be detachably suspended; and a sensor configured to monitor the status of the location and, based on the monitoring, to provide an indication of whether or not an item has become detached from the location.
2. An anti-ligature bracket comprising: a fixing arrangement for attaching the bracket to a building surface; a magnetic or ferromagnetic location from which an item is able to be magnetically suspended; and a sensor configured to monitor the status of the location and, based on the monitoring, provide an indication of whether or not an item has become detached from the location.
3. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sensor comprisesa magnetic field sensor.
4. A bracket as claimed in claim 3, wherein the magnetic field sensor is situated behind the location.
5. A bracket as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket further comprises a controller configured to process the indication provided by the sensor and, based on the processing, provide a status signal that specifies whether or not an item has become detached from the location.
6. A bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bracket further comprises a transmitter configured to transmit the status signal to a central unit.
7. A bracket as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit, together with the status signal, an identity signal for the bracket to the central unit.
8.

A bracket as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.
9. A bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an internal power source for powering the sensor.
10. A bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the location comprises a permanent magnet.
11. An anti-ligature bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.
12 An anti-ligature bracket system comprising one or more brackets as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
13. A system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a central unit comprising a receiver, the central unit being configured to provide an alarm signal responsive to receiving a detached status signal from at least one of the one or more brackets.
14. A system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising one or more alarms configured to operate responsive to an alarm signal being provided by the central unit.
15. A system as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the central unit is configured to provide an indication of normal operation responsive to receiving 20 an attached status signal from each or all of the one or more brackets.
16 A system as claimed in claims 13 to 15, wherein the central unit is configured to distinguish the one or more brackets from one another using an identity signal received from each of the one or more brackets, the central unit further being configured to indicate from which of the one or more brackets a status signal has been received.
17. An anti-ligature bracket system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.Amendment to Claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. An anti-ligature bracket comprising: a fixing arrangement for attaching the bracket to a building surface; an attachment location from which an item is able to be detachably suspended; and a sensor configured to monitor the status of the location and, based on the monitoring, to provide an indication of whether or not an item has become detached from the location.2. An anti-ligature bracket comprising: a fixing arrangement for attaching the bracket to a building surface; a magnetic or ferromagnetic location from which an item is able to be magnetically suspended; and a sensor configured to monitor the status of the location and, based on the monitoring, provide an indication of (r) to whether or not an item has become detached from the location.3. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sensor comprisesa magnetic field sensor.I 4. A bracket as claimed in claim 3, wherein the magnetic field sensor is C\ situated behind the location.5. A bracket as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket further comprises a controller configured to process the indication provided by the sensor and, based on the processing, provide a status signal that specifies whether or not an item has become detached from the location.6. A bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bracket further comprises a transmitter configured to transmit the status signal.7. A bracket as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wansmitter is configured to transmit an identity signal, together with the status signal, the identity signal able to distinguish the bracket from other brackets.8. A bracket as claimed in claim 6 01 7, wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.9. A bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an internal power source for powering the sensor.10. A bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the location comprises a permanent magnet 11. An anti-ligature bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.12. An anti-ligature bracket system comprising one or more brackets as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.13. A system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a central unit comprising a receiver, the central unit being configured to provide an alarm signal responsive to receiving a detached status signal from at least one of the one or C\I more brackets.14. A system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising one or more alarms configured to operate responsive to an alarm signal being provided by the central unit.15. A system as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the central unit is configured to provide an indication of normal operation responsive to receiving an attached status signal from each or all of the one or more brackets.16. A system as claimed in claims 13 to 15, wherein the central unit is configured to distinguish the one or more brackets from one another using an identity signal received from each of the one or more brackets, the central unit further being configured to indicate from which of the one or more brackets a status signal has been received.17. An anti-ligature bracket system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.