EP3358994B1

EP3358994B1 - Monolithic releasing slider

Info

Publication number: EP3358994B1
Application number: EP16852184.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Torbjörn BRITZ
Original assignee: Innovation Skane AB
Current assignee: Innovation Skane AB
Priority date: 2015-09-30
Filing date: 2016-09-29
Publication date: 2020-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-29
Also published as: DK3358994T3; EP3358994A1; WO2017058087A1; SE539041C2; EP3358994A4; SE1551248A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a monolithic releasing slider, more particular for release of a thereto attached curtain.

BACKGROUND

Institutions housing persons with an increased probability of being in a state of despair has to undertake suitable measures to prevent suicides. For example, housing facilities of psychiatric hospitals, political refugee accommodations and prisons are typically devoid of furniture and equipment that could be employed for committing suicide. Curtains are often used in suicide attempts and suicides as means for strangulation by hanging therefrom in a tied sling. Such attempts are often successful if the curtain is fastened to the ceiling or wall to such a degree that it may support the weight of a person. Means in the form of curtain hangers with a predefined upper limit of support weight, i.e. a release weight, above which the curtain hanger will come loose from the curtain, wall or ceiling, minimizes the usability of thereto attached curtains in the act of suicide.
GB2359480 A describes a curtain hanger having a head which can be inserted upwards into the track of a curtain rail. The head has semicircular resilient parts which enables mounting of the runner by an upwards push into the track.
WO9424912 discloses a curtain hanger with sliding body. The sliding body is made of an elastic material and has two holding members hooked inside a reception slot of a curtain rod hollow rail.
DE202005007241U1 discloses a monolithic slider for curtains, comprising a clamping groove (Klemmrille) having an open space adapted to receive a mechanical element which provides transfer of the force of an attached load.
US2011/0290966A1 discloses a curtain hanging device, comprising a coupler for suspending a curtain from a curtain rail via a catch. The catch deforms to release the curtain when an extra load is applied thereto.
The release weight of the curtain hangers of GB2359480 A , WO9424912 and other similar curtain hangers of the prior-art, is highly dependent on the interaction and interplay between the curtain rail and the part of the curtain hanger which is contacting the curtain rail during operation. For example, such curtain hangers may have a release weight which is significantly higher when mounted in a curtain rail with horizontal contacting surfaces as compared to the case of downwards slanting contacting surfaces. This brings about one disadvantage of today's common curtain hangers when such are considered for use in above mentioned institutions. The user would have to make sure that the particular combination of type of rail and hanger is appropriate in each case. Other disadvantages of present hangers include, for example, a significant dependence between the release weight and the angle relative the horizontal plane by which the weight is applied.
In view of at least above mentioned disadvantages, improved curtain hangers in the form of releasing sliders, are highly needed.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention, considering the disadvantages mentioned above, to provide a releasing slider with a release weight which is not dependent, or only dependent to a limited degree, on the detailed design of the curtain rail which it cooperates with..
It is another object of the invention, to provide a releasing slider with a release weight having a dependence on the angle relative the horizontal plane of the applied weight, which dependence is minimized.
It is yet another object of the invention, to provide a releasing slider which can be produced as one monolithic unit by molding of a thermoplastic material.
These and other objects, which will appear from the following description, have now been achieved by a monolithic releasing slider for weight dependent release of a thereto attached load when being in cooperation with a stationary guide, comprising an internal element, an intermediate element and a releasing element, wherein the internal element being adapted to prevent movement of the slider towards a lower position relative the stationary guide, when the slider is mounted in or to the stationary guide; the internal element being adapted to allow movement of the slider in both of a proximal direction and a distal direction relative the stationary guide, when the slider is mounted in or to the stationary guide; the lower side of the internal element being provided with at least two contact points or contact areas which are facing downwards and contacting the stationary guide, when the slider is mounted in or to the stationary guide; the upper end of the intermediate element being attached to the lower side of the internal element, and the lower end of the intermediate element being attached to the upper end of the releasing element, for the provision of a distance between the upper end of the releasing element and the stationary guide, when the slider is mounted in or to the stationary guide; the releasing element comprises a first grabber and a second grabber defining an open space there in between; the open space being adapted to receive a mechanical element which provides transfer of the force of the weight of the attached load; one end of the first grabber and one end of the second grabber being separated by a cessation located essentially at the lowest end of the slider; the first grabber and the second grabber are extending downwards and the lower ends thereof meet or face each other in the cessation analogously to a finger grip in which the fingers correspond to the elongations and the cessation to the interface or opening between the fingertips; and at least one of the first grabber and the second grabber being resilient and existing in one state of a relaxed state, which relaxed state is attained in the absence of any external force on the first grabber or the second grabber, and a separated state, which separated state is attained in the presence of an external separating force on the first grabber and on the second grabber, in which separated state the one end of the first grabber and the one end of the second grabber being separated by a distance being greater than the corresponding distance in the relaxed state and exceeding the maximal distance during which the releasing element is able to support the attached load.
According to another aspect, there is disclosed a slider assembly, comprising the slider and a stationary guide, wherein the stationary guide having an elongated shape being straight or curved, and having an internal hollow space; the stationary guide being provided with a left rail, a right rail and an open track between the furthermost right end of the left rail and the furthermost left end of the right rail; the stationary guide being adapted to enclose the internal element within the internal hollow space; the open track being adapted to enclose the intermediate element; and the open track being adapted to prevent passage of the internal element from its upper side to its lower side and from its lower side to its upper side.
Further features of the invention and its embodiments are set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of which the invention is capable will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of non-limiting embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a view from a lower 3b proximal 1a side of a slider 100 having a rectangular shaped projection from the upper 3a side, comprising an internal element 110, an intermediate element 120 extending downwards from a part of the lower 3b side of the internal element 110, a releasing element 130 in a relaxed state extending downwards from a part of the lower 3b side of the intermediate element 120 and being constituted by a first grabber 131 and a second grabber 132, and a cessation 133 between the lower 3b ends of the first grabber 131 and the second grabber 132 located at the lower 3b end of the releasing element 130, according to one embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a view of the slider 100 of Fig. 1 from the (A:) distal 1b lower 3b left 2b side and (B:) from the proximal 1a upper 3a left 2b side showing the internal element 110 and the intermediate element 120 together forming T-shaped proximal 1a and distal 1b projections with essentially horizontal lower 3b sides, according to one embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a view of a slider assembly 500 from a lower 3b proximal 1a left 2b side, comprising the slider 100 of Fig.1 mounted with its internal element 110 inside the internal hollow space of a stationary guide 200 having a left rail 211, a right rail 212 and an open track 220 there in between, through which open track 220 the intermediate element 120 is extending downwards and into the space outside of the stationary guide 200, according to one embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a view of the slider assembly of Fig. 3 in an intermediate state showing a weight transfer element 310 having a distorted circular shape being thread through an open space between the first grabber 131 and the second grabber 132, which weight transfer element 310 is providing transfer of the force of the thereto attached load 400 in the form of a curtain 300 to the first grabber 131 and the second grabber 132 to slightly increase the cessation 133, whereby exit from a relaxed state and entrance of an intermediate state is achieved, according to one embodiment;
Fig. 5 is a view of the slider assembly of Fig. 3 in an intermediate state showing a weight transfer element 310 in the form of a hook with an open end being thread through an open space between the first grabber 131 and the second grabber 132, according to one embodiment;
Figs. 6 A-B are perspective views of a slider 100 with a lower 3b side of the internal element 110, which internal element 110 has an angle relative the horizontal plane, according to one embodiment; and
Figs. 7 A-B are perspective views of a slider 100, comprising a restrictor 134 located at the junction between the intermediate element 120 and the releasing element 130, and a circular disc shaped internal element 110, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings (Figs. 1 to 7).
The present slider 100 comprises various parts and may form part of assemblies that comprise the present slider. For the purpose of aiding the understanding of the relationship, e.g. the spatial relationship, between such various parts and parts of assemblies, a reference coordinate system depicted in Fig. 1, which is spatially arranged in accordance with the therein shown example of the present slider, will be used herein unless otherwise noted. With length L, L-axis, distal-proximal axis, central axis or the like is to be understood the extension in a direction from a proximal 1a point to a distal 1b point or from a distal 1b point to a proximal 1a point. With width W,W-axis, left-right axis or the like is to be understood the extension in a direction from a right 2a point to a left 2b point or from a left 2b point to a right 2a point. With height H, H-axis, bottom-top axis or the like is to be understood the extension in a direction from an upper 3a point to a lower 3b point or from a lower 3b point to an upper 3a point. The L-axis and the W-axis of the coordinate system depicted in Fig. 1 both reside in a "LW-plane". The L-axis and the H-axis of the coordinate system depicted in Fig. 1 both reside in a "LH-plane". The LH-plane is perpendicular to the LW-plane and vice versa. When in use, the present slider 100 may typically, but not limited to, be spatially arranged such that the LW-plane is essentially equivalent with the horizontal plane of the surrounding. Descriptive use of the terms "horizontal" or "vertical", or the similar, is not to be understood as absolute and limiting throughout the description as these terms may be used for the explanatory description of intra-system spatial relationships.
The present slider 100 essentially comprises an internal element 110, a releasing element 130 and an intermediate element 120. It is adapted to slide along a stationary guide 200, e.g. a curtain rail, for the movement of a load 400, e.g. a curtain, in a direction, such as a direction in e.g. the horizontal plane. Furthermore, it is adapted to release the load 400 if the effective weight of the load 400, which is held by the slider 100, exceeds a threshold. The internal element 110 may be held within a continuous open space of the stationary guide 200, which open space defines the route along which the slider 100 may be moved, such as voluntarily by a user. The internal element 110 may typically consist of a body which is smaller than the continuous open space of the stationary guide 200, to be able to move therein, but simultaneously larger than any opening or slot thereof along the intended path of movement, to not fall out of the stationary guide 200. Hence, the internal element 110 prevents movement of the slider 100 towards a lower position relative the stationary guide 200, but allows movement of the slider 100 in both of a proximal direction and a distal direction relative the stationary guide 200, when mounted in or to the same. When being still or moved along the stationary guide 200, the internal element 110 of the slider 100 may be brought in contact with the stationary guide 200 via two contact points or contact areas. These two contact points or contact areas are located at lower side of the internal element 110 and facing downwards. Preferably, such contact points or contact areas may be adapted to facilitate movement of the slider 100 along the stationary guide 200, for example by employment of a low friction material, as known in the art, or by provision of a smooth rounded surface devoid of rough edges. The releasing element 130 comprises two curved elongations, i.e. a first grabber 131 and a second grabber 132, which are extending downwards and which lower ends meet or face each other in a thereby defined cessation 133, analogously to a finger grip in which the fingers correspond to the elongations and the cessation 133 to the interface or opening between the fingertips. An open space is surrounded and defined by the inner surface of first grabber 131 and by the inner surface of the second grabber 132, through which an elongated object carrying the load 400, e.g. a hook or any other kind of mechanical element which provides transfer of the force of the weight of the attached load 400 to the first grabber 131 and to the second grabber 132, may be threaded. Hence, the open space has an entrance, through which the elongated load 400 carrying object is entering the open space when threaded there through, and an exit, through which the elongated load 400 carrying object is exiting the open space when threaded there through. An imaginary axis through the central point of the entrance and the central point of the exit may extend essentially in a plane parallel with the plane in which the central axis of the slider 100 is extending. At least one, such as both, of the first grabber 131 and the second grabber 132 is resilient. When no force is applied to the first grabber 131 and to the second grabber 132, they exist in a relaxed state and the cessation 133 is minimized or closed, i.e. the lower endings of the first grabber 131 and the second grabber 132 are brought in contact with each other, by the inherent resiliency. When a large enough force is applied to the first grabber 131 and/or to the second grabber 132, a separated state is entered. In the separated state, the grabbers are slightly bent and the cessation 133 is maximized to such a degree that the elongated load 400 carrying object may fall through the same, whereby the load 400 is released from the slider 100. Hence, in a separated state, one end of the first grabber 131 and one end of the second grabber 132 are separated by a distance being greater than the corresponding distance in the relaxed state and exceeding the maximal distance during which the releasing element 130 is able to support the attached load 400. An infinite number of intermediate states exist between the relaxed state and the separated state. In any of those intermediate states, a force originating from the carried load 400 is applied to the releasing element 130, which force is not large enough to enable transition into the separated state. The cessation 133 is located essentially at the lowest end of the slider 100. For example, the cessation may be located within the lower one third of the extension of the releasing element 130 along a vertical axis. Advantages of such a relatively low placement of the cessation 133 include e.g. a minimized variability of the force needed to release the load 400, i.e. the release weight, in comparison to designs in which the cessation 133 is placed at a higher position of the releasing element 130. The intermediate element 120 has, at least, a dual function of transferring the force of the carried load 400 from the releasing element 130 to the internal element 110, and to provide a spatial separation, i.e. a distance, between the releasing element 130 and the stationary guide 200. Such a spatial separation may advantageously minimize the risk of mechanical interaction between the releasing element 130 and the stationary guide 200, which could otherwise adventure the intended function of the releasing element 130. The upper end of the intermediate element 120 is attached to the lower side of the internal element 110, and the lower end of the intermediate element 120 is attached to the upper end of the releasing element 130. Furthermore, the intermediate element 120 is adapted such that it provides a mechanical connection between the releasing element 130 and the internal element 110 without, or only to a limited degree, interfering with the sliding function of the slider 100 along the stationary guide 200. For example, the width of the intermediate element 120 may be slightly smaller than the width of an open track 220 between a left rail 211 and a right rail 212 of the stationary guide 200. The internal element 110 has a distance from its proximal end to its distal end which is greater than the corresponding distance from its furthermost left end to its furthermost right end. When such an internal element 110 is used in combination with e.g. a stationary guide 200 comprising a left rail 211, a right rail 212 and an open track, the internal element 110 may not freely rotate within the inner space of the stationary guide 200. Advantages of such a restricted ability to rotate include the achievement of a reduced force needed for release of the carried load 400 when the mechanical element onto which this is attached is twisted. For example, a suicidal patient may often try to collect a curtain into a rope-like assembly for tying around the neck and hang therefrom. A twisting force is then applied to curtain hangers, which will come loose easier if adapted in accordance with the present embodiment and thus reduce the risk of a successful suicide attempt.
According to one embodiment, the intermediate element 120 may have a distance from its proximal end to its distal end which is greater than the corresponding distance from its furthermost left end to its furthermost right end, for prevention of rotation of said internal element 110. For example, the length of the intermediate element 120 may exceed the width of an open track 220.
According to one embodiment, the slider 100 may be provided with a restrictor 134 at the junction between the lower end of the intermediate element 120 and the upper end of the releasing element 130. The restrictor 134 may have a distance from the furthermost left end to the furthermost right end which is greater than the corresponding distance from the furthermost left end to the furthermost right end of the intermediate element 120. For example, the distance from the furthermost left end to the furthermost right end of the restrictor 134 may exceed the width of an open track 220. The slider 100 is thereby prevented to move towards a higher position relative the stationary guide 200. Advantages which this technical effect brings about include the decreased risk of malfunction due to mechanical interaction between the releasing element 130 and the stationary guide 200, which may otherwise occur upon application of an upwards directed force on the slider 100.
According to one embodiment, transition from the relaxed state, or any intermediate state, to the separated state, may occur at a force provided by an applied weight of the attached load 400 which corresponds to a supported weight of 0.1 to 3.0 kg, such as 0.1 to 2.0 kg, 0.1 to 2.0 kg or, preferably 0.2 to 2.0 kg. Such an interval of transition into the separated state is optimal for the application of the slider 100 as curtain hanger in curtain arrangements designed to minimize the risk of suicide.
According to one embodiment, at least a part of the lower side of the internal element 110 may extend in a plane with an angle of 0 to 60 °, such as 10 to 60 ° or 20 to 50 °, relative a plane defined by a furthermost left central point, a furthermost right central point, a furthermost proximal central point and a furthermost distal central point of the slider 100. For example, the lower sides 110 of the internal element 110 may lean inwards. The contact points or contact areas with a stationary guide 200 comprising a horizontally located left rail 211, a horizontally located right rail 212 and an open track there in between will then be biased towards the right edge of the left rail 211 and the left edge of the right rail 212. The effective sliding area, i.e. the sum of the area of the contact points or contact areas, will then be smaller in comparison to the case when the lower sides are not leaning inwards. Such a smaller effective sliding area brings about the advantageous effect of facilitated sliding due to a smaller frictional counter force.
According to one embodiment, the slider 100 may be made of a suitable plastic or polymeric material having properties for application as a part of a curtain hanger assembly. Preferably, the plastic material may have a suitable combination, for its intended purpose, of tenacity, rigidity, fatigue resistance, elasticity, and creep deformation resistance. The selection of a suitable plastic material may easily be made by the one skilled in the art. The one skilled in the art may also perform standard experiments in order to screen a range of plastic materials, whereby a suitable plastic material may be selected on the basis of the results of such experiments. A suitable plastic material may have a high creep deformation resistance, i.e. it has a low tendency to slowly move or deform permanently under the influence of an applied external pressure. A suitable plastic material may have a friction coefficient which allows facile sideways movement of the slider 100 along the stationary guide 200. A suitable plastic material may, furthermore, have a suitable elasticity and high three-dimensional memory to allow for the first grabber 131 and the second grabber 132 to maintain the original dimensions of the cessation 133 in the relaxed state, even after prolonged stay in an intermediate state. Examples of suitable plastic materials include, but is not limited to, polyoxymethylene and polyamide, like e.g. nylon 6. Polyoxymethylene and polyamide may advantageously be injection-molded in the production of the slider 100.
According to one embodiment, the slider 100 may be produced as one monolithic article by casting, e.g. by injection molding, an amorphous or liquid material, e.g. amorphous or liquid polyoxymethylene or polyamide. Advantages of this way of production include a reduced cost in comparison to other methods of production, e.g. methods comprising the step of assembly of two separate parts.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a slider assembly 500 comprises a slider 100 and stationary guide 200. The stationary guide 200 is straight or curved and comprises an internal hollow space, in which the internal element 110 resides. The stationary guide 200 comprises a left rail 211, a right rail 212 and an open track 220 between the furthermost right end of the left rail 211 and the furthermost left end of the right rail 212. The width of the open track 220 may be essentially equal to or larger than width of the intermediate element 120. The width of the open track 220 may be smaller than width of the internal element 110, to prevent passage there through of the internal element 110.
According to one embodiment, a curtain assembly may comprise a stationary guide 200, a plurality of sliders 100, such as 2 to 25 or 8 to 20, which partly reside within the stationary guide 200 and partly outside the same and a curtain. The curtain may be attached at its upper end via hooks or circular elements to releasing elements 130 of the plurality of sliders 100. Each releasing element 130 may have a transition point into its separated state of 0.2 to 2.0 kg. The stationary guide 200 may be mounted stationary to the ceiling or wall of a room. Such a curtain assembly may advantageously be used in rooms hosting persons with an increased suicidal behavior, to decrease the risk of suicide.

Claims

Monolithic releasing slider (100) for curtains for weight dependent release of a thereto attached load (400) when being in cooperation with a stationary guide (200), comprising an internal element (110), an intermediate element (120) and a releasing element (130), wherein
- said internal element (110) being adapted to prevent movement of said slider (100) towards a lower position relative said stationary guide (200), when said internal element (110) is held within a continuous open space of said stationary guide (200);

- said internal element (110) having a distance from its proximal end to its distal end which is greater than the corresponding distance from its furthermost left end to its furthermost right end and being adapted to allow movement of said slider (100) along said stationary guide (200), when said internal element (110) is held within a continuous open space of said stationary guide (200);

- the lower side of said internal element (110) being provided with at least two contact points or contact areas which are facing downwards and contacting said stationary guide (200), when said internal element (110) is held within a continuous open space of said stationary guide (200);

- the upper end of said intermediate element (120) being attached to said lower side of said internal element (110), and the lower end of said intermediate element (120) being attached to the upper end of said releasing element (130), for the provision of a distance between said upper end of said releasing element (130) and said stationary guide (200), when said internal element (110) is held within a continuous open space of said stationary guide (200);
characterised in that
- said releasing element (130) comprises a first grabber (131) and a second grabber (132) defining an open space there in between;

- said first grabber (131) and said second grabber (132) being curved elongations of said releasing element (130);

- said open space being adapted to receive a mechanical element which provides transfer of the force of the weight of said attached load (400);

- one end of said first grabber (131) and one end of said second grabber (132) being separated by a cessation (133) located essentially at the lowest end of said slider (100);
said first grabber (131) and said second grabber (132) are extending downwards and the lower ends thereof meet or face each other in said cessation (133) analogously to a finger grip in which the fingers correspond to said elongations and said cessation (133) to the interface or opening between the fingertips; and

- at least one of said first grabber (131) and said second grabber (132) being resilient and existing in one state of a relaxed state, which relaxed state is attained in the absence of any external force on said first grabber (131) or said second grabber (132), and a separated state, which separated state is attained in the presence of an external separating force on said first grabber (131) and on said second grabber (132), in which separated state said one end of said first grabber (131) and said one end of said second grabber (132) being separated by a distance being greater than the corresponding distance in said relaxed state and exceeding the maximal distance during which said releasing element (130) is able to support said attached load (400).
Monolithic releasing slider (100) according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate element (120) having a distance from its proximal end to its distal end which is greater than the corresponding distance from its furthermost left end to its furthermost right end, for prevention of rotation of said internal element (110) and said intermediate element (120) relative said stationary guide (200), when said internal element (110) is held within a continuous open space of said stationary guide (200).
Monolithic releasing slider (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further provided with a restrictor (134), wherein
- said restrictor (134) being mounted at the junction between the lower end of said intermediate element (120) and the upper end of said releasing element (130); and

- said restrictor (134) having a distance from the furthermost left end to the furthermost right end which is greater than the corresponding distance from the furthermost left end to the furthermost right end of said intermediate element (120);
for the prevention of movement of said slider (100) towards a higher position relative said stationary guide (200), when said internal element (110) is held within a continuous open space of said stationary guide (200).
Monolithic releasing slider (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of said lower side of said internal element (110) extend in a plane with an angle of 0 to 60 ° relative a plane defined by a furthermost left central point, a furthermost right central point, a furthermost proximal central point and a furthermost distal central point of said slider (100).
Monolithic releasing slider (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, being monolithic and made of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyoxymethylene and polyamide.
Slider assembly (500), comprising a monolithic releasing slider (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a stationary guide (200), wherein
- said stationary guide (200) having an elongated shape being straight or curved, and having an internal hollow space;

- said stationary guide (200) being provided with a left rail (211), a right rail (212) and an open track (220) between the furthermost right end of said left rail (211) and the furthermost left end of said right rail (212);

- said stationary guide (200) being adapted to enclose said internal element (110) within said internal hollow space;

- said open track (220) being adapted to enclose said intermediate element (120); and

- said open track (220) being adapted to prevent passage of said internal element (110) from its upper side to its lower side and from its lower side to its upper side.
Slider assembly (500) according to claim 6, further provided with a curtain attached directly or indirectly to a plurality of said sliders (100), via the respective of said releasing elements (130), wherein said stationary guide (200) is mounted stationary to the ceiling or wall of a room, for the provision of a weight dependent releasable curtain.
Method for production of a monolithic releasing slider (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the step of casting an amorphous or liquid material to provide said slider (100) as a monolithic article.