Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a safety breakaway device and in particular to a safety breakaway device having multiple parts that decouple when detached from a mount.

Background of the Invention

Death by hanging is a tragic occurrence that is unfortunately a risk in correctional and behavioural health institutions. As well as hanging, there is also a risk of attempted self-harm on a fixed point or removeable part that may be present after fixtures and fittings are removed from their installation location (either by design or by force). Accordingly, such institutions have taken steps to mitigate this risk, for example by provision of utilising magnetic mounting methods for doors and the like, as described in GB2592292. Whilst these solutions help to provide a reduced risk from door hinges and the like, there remains a risk from fittings used for dispensing items (such as tissue dispensers, toilet roll holders, toiletries or the like.

One issue with applying a similar approach to GB2592292 to these smaller objects is that the breakaway portion becomes a weapons or ingestion risk. Breakaway portions, such as dispensers, can be used as a cosh or projectile, causing damage to people or property. Similarly, the fixed objects and fitting locations are at greater risk of being used as ligature points due to their relative heights along the wall, and the detachable/movable objects have a greater associated weapons risk due to their size. This also makes these items more suited to create an anchor point that could be used in conjunction with other items in a room if a rudimentary hook can be fashioned..

The present invention aims to at least ameliorate the above-mentioned issues.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety breakaway device for releasable attachment to a mount, said mount for securing the device to a walled surface and comprising one or more magnetic elements, said device comprising: at least two parts, said parts configured to provide a housing or mounting for a consumable when placed together in a predefined orientation, each part comprising a magnetic counterpart for magnetic engagement with the one or more magnetic elements of the mount.

The present invention provides for a device that breaks away in its entirety when removed from the walled surface, with the parts separating. Additionally, no further parts are needed to form such a dispensing device.

In an embodiment the magnetic counterpart of each part may provide magnetic engagement with the magnetic elements in the predefined orientation only. This ensures that the only use for the parts are the intended device use in the predetermined orientation when mounted to the mount (and to the wall).

Each part may comprise one or less angles when decoupled from the mount to prevent use of the part as an attachment surface for a ligature. In the examples shown, each part has one or less angles when disconnected from other parts or from the mount such that surfaces for forming ligature or leverage points are reduced or eliminated. For example, the parts may be L shaped, having only one angle. In some embodiments the parts may form a U-shape in the predetermined position to allow for addition of a rod to form a toilet roll holder.

In examples, the at least two parts may comprise a first part and a second part, and wherein the first part and the second part are substantially symmetrical.

Each part may be sized to prevent ingestion. This reduces risk of a person injuring or ingesting the parts when demounted from the wall.

The attachment force of the magnetic engagement may be configured to be weaker than 500 Newtons, to allow the device to be easily removed from the mount. The attachment force of the magnetic attachment may be configured to be weaker than 500 Newtons, to allow the holder to be easily removed from the mount. The attachment force is capable of retaining the holder filled with consumables, but sufficiently weak such that body weight would cause the device to break away from the mount.

The attachment force may be configured to be weaker than any of 100 Newtons, 200 Newtons, 300 Newtons, 400 Newtons, 500 Newtons or 600 Newtons, or any intermediary force. This may be variable dependent on the items to be dispensed.

In examples each part may be a plastics material, said plastics material comprising a lightweight material to prevent use of said part as a weapon. The plastics material comprises a semi-flexible material.

In some embodiments, each part may be coated in an anti-microbial coating.

It can be appreciated that each part may be configured to weigh less than 5 kg. Advantageously, a low weight device ensures that the weapons risk associated with the device is reduced, particularly due to the device deconstructing into separate components when removed from the wall. Accordingly, any impact generated by use of the parts as a cosh or projectile is significantly reduced with a lower weight device. Alternatively/additionally, the device may be configured to weigh less than 0.5 kg, 1 kg, 1 .5 kg, 2 kg, 2.5 kg, 3 kg, 3.5 kg, 4 kg, 4.5 kg or 5 kg.

The device as described in the first aspect may be one of a toilet roll holder, tissue holder or PPE dispenser.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a toilet roll holder for holding a roll of toilet paper, said holder comprising: a backplate for securing the toilet roll holder to a wall, said backplate comprising one or more magnetic elements; two arms, each arm comprising a magnetic counterpart for magnetic engagement with the one or more magnetic elements of the backplate to mount the arm to the backplate; wherein the arms are configured to engage to form a U-shaped housing when both mounted to backplate.

The arms may be substantially L-shaped. This provides a single angle, which provides advantages as discussed above with respect to the first aspect. The backplate may comprises chamfered edges. This reduces the risk of creating an anchor point.

The magnets may be provided within the backplate, such that the magnets are not visible or moveable from the wall when the backplate is installed. Such magnets then interact with the corresponding magnetic counterparts within the arm.

The opposing inner surfaces at the end of the U-shaped housing may comprise an indent for receiving a rod for the toilet roll to be hung on. The rod may be cardboard or the like, and may be hollow to reduce the risk of choking or use as a weapon.

The mount may comprise at least one magnetic element corresponding to a magnetic counterpart within the dispenser. The at least one magnetic element may be embedded within the body of the mount. Advantageously, embedding the magnet within the body of the mount reduces the number of potential ligature points with the dispensing system. It also advantageously reduces the likelihood of a user accessing the any magnetic element, which could have various health risks associated with it (e.g. weapons risk, choking hazard).

The mount may further comprise bevelled edges, to avoid ligature points.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the embodiments described hereinafter. Embodiments described in relation to either aspect may be employed for either aspect.

Brief description of Drawings

Embodiments will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the device of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the device of Figure 1 . It should be noted that the Figure is diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts of the Figure have been shown exaggerated or reduced in size, for the sake of clarity and convenience in the drawings. The same reference signs are generally used to refer to corresponding or similar feature in modified and different embodiments.

Detailed Description

Figures 1 to 3 show a schematic of a safety breakaway device 100 for releasable attachment to a mount 110, said mount 110 for securing the device 100 to a walled surface via one or more tamperproof tabs via holes 112. The mount comprises one or more magnetic elements 115. The mount also has bevelled edges 118 to reduce anchor points for ligatures or the like.

The device 110 comprises two parts 120a, 120b, said parts configured to provide a housing or mounting for a consumable when placed together in a predefined orientation, each part 120a, 120b comprising a magnetic counterpart 125 for magnetic engagement with the one or more magnetic elements 115 of the mount 110. The magnetic elements are either hidden behind or embedded within the mount, and the counterparts are generally within the parts. This reduces ease of access to the counterparts and magnetic elements by an end user.

When a sufficient force is applied the device, it causes the device to break away from the mount 110. This prevents the device 100 being used as a ligature point.

Each part 120a, 120b, comprise one or less angles when decoupled from the mount to prevent use of the part as an attachment surface for a ligature. In the examples shown, each part is substantially L shaped, having only one angle. Furthermore, each angle is configured to be smooth, without tight changes to ensure that attempts to use the part as a mount for a ligature or the like would cause the same to fall off the part. As shown, when magnetically mounted to the mount, the parts from a U-shape to allow for addition of a rod 130 to form a toilet roll holder. The attachment force of the magnetic engagement is typically weaker than 500 Newtons, to allow the device to be easily removed from the mount. The attachment force of the magnetic attachment may be configured to be weaker than 500 Newtons, to allow the holder to be easily removed from the mount. The attachment force is capable of retaining the holder filled with consumables, but sufficiently weak such that body weight would cause the device to break away from the mount.

The attachment force in some embodiments may be configured to be weaker than any of 100 Newtons, 200 Newtons, 300 Newtons, 400 Newtons, 500 Newtons or 600 Newtons, or any intermediary force. This may be variable dependent on the items to be dispensed or the intended installation location.

Each part is typically a plastics material, said plastics material comprising a lightweight material to prevent use of said part as a weapon. The plastics material comprises a semi-flexible material and is provided with an anti-microbial coating.

It can be appreciated that each part is typically configured to weigh less than 5 kg. Advantageously, a low weight device ensures that the weapons risk associated with the device is reduced, particularly due to the device deconstructing into separate components when removed from the wall. Accordingly, any impact generated by use of the parts as a cosh or projectile is significantly reduced with a lower weight device. Alternatively/additionally, the device may be configured to weigh less than 0.5 kg, 1 kg, 1 .5 kg, 2 kg, 2.5 kg, 3 kg, 3.5 kg, 4 kg, 4.5 kg or 5 kg.

The device as described and shown is a toilet roll holder, however a similar arrangement may be envisaged for other dispensers, such as a tissue holder or PPE dispenser. In such case, the parts are shaped accordingly, and more than two parts may be provided, that each together form the device when magnetically mounted in the predetermined way (and each have less than one angle when decoupled and detached from the mount.

Accordingly, as discussed, there is provided a toilet roll holder for holding a roll of toilet paper, said holder comprising: a backplate for securing the toilet roll holder to a wall, said backplate comprising one or more magnetic elements; two arms, each arm comprising a magnetic counterpart for magnetic engagement with the one or more magnetic elements of the backplate to mount the arm to the backplate; wherein the arms are configured to engage to form a U-shaped housing when both mounted to backplate.

The arms are substantially L-shaped that provides a single angle, which provides advantages as discussed above.

The opposing inner surfaces at the end of the U-shaped housing comprise an indent 122 for receiving the rod 130 for the toilet roll to be hung on. The rod 130 is typically cardboard or the like, and may be hollow to reduce the risk of choking or use as a weapon.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art of safety breakaway devices and systems, and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features already described herein.

Although the appended claims are directed to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom. For the sake of completeness it is also stated that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, the term "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality, and reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.