GB2340172A

GB2340172A - Releasable fixing arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2340172A
Application number: GB9817002A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Paul King; Imelda Maria Rose King
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-06
Filing date: 1998-08-06
Publication date: 2000-02-16
Also published as: GB9817002D0

Description

2340172 RELEASABLE FIXING ARRANGEMENT FOR TOYS, EDUCATIONAL, DEVELOPMENTAL

AND FEEDING EQUIPMENT This invention relates to the securement of toys and feeding equipment, plus educational and developmental training aids and games.

Very young children, the elderly and infirm along with mentally or physically handicapped people often have difficulty in using items of equipment such as feeding bowls, plates, toys, educational training aids or equipment, due to a partial lack Of physical co-ordination.

Ease of use of such equipment could in many instances be improved if the item in use were to be held stable rather than to be left loose on the working surface.

Benefit may also be gained if the item of equipment were to be held secure to a mounting point not necessarily a work surface when in use during mobilisation in say a push chair, wheel chair or car etc.

According to the present invention there is provided a fixing arrangement devised to facilitate use of an item of equipment when such use benefits from the item being held in a stable position relative to a working surface or fixed mounting point, comprising catchment means on or beneath the surface said catchment means being operable to co-operate with mating means on the item so that when co-operating the item is held securely, wherein said catchment means operates automatically to cooperate with said mating means as the item is pushed into position and the catchment means on or beneath the surface can be easily released to allow the item to be removed.

A mating means is provided on the item of equipment said mating means being operable to co-operate with the catchment means on the work surface or mounting point so that when co-operating the item is held securely.

In ce rtain instances it is preferable that the mating means is not permanently attached or integral to the item of equipment so that use of the item is not impeded when the item is not attached to the work surface. In such cases a separate mating means adaptor is provided which is devised to be both quickly attachable and removeable from the required item by means of a securing mechanism.

On items where a mating means adaptor is to be utilised a securing mechanism is provided on the item of equipment devised to attach a separate mating means adaptor.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- Figure I shows a feeding bowl secured in position on a work surface by a fixing arrangement mounted on the top surface.

Figure 2 shows a feeding bowl secured in position on a work surface by a fixing arrangement mounted beneath the surface.

Figure 3) shows a feeding bowl with a specific example of a fixing; arrangement located on the underside of the work surface.

Figure 4 illustrates in more detail the example of the fixing arrangement illustrated in Fig 3.

Figure 5 illustrates in detail one alternative for the fixing arrangement.

Figure 6 shows how the hole in the work surface may be plugged to provide a normal work surface when no items of equipment are required to be secured.

Figure 7 shows how the arrangement may be adapted to become a portable fixing Z-1 t arrangement and the whole being utilised on a normal unadapted work surface.

Figure 8 shows a mating means adaptor for use with items of equipment which are required to be secured to a work surface or other fixed mounting-, point but are unsuitable to be constructed with an integral mating means.

Figure 9 shows the securing mechanism which may be incorporated into the construction of an item of equipment to permit the attachment of a mating means adaptor.

Figure 10 shows an alternative catchment means where the fingers are hinged to permit release by squeezing together.

Figure 11 shows the provision of an additional plunger to facilitate automatic extraction of the item of equipment when the release mechanism is operated.

Refeming to the drawing the arrangement comprises the item to be secured I and the work surface on which it is to be used 3, to which is fitted a releasable fixing arrangement 2 either upon the work surface shown in Fig I or beneath the work surface accessed through a hole 4 in the work surface shown in F12 2.

In the specific example of the fixing arrangement shown in Fig 3) to 6 the item I ZD protrudes through a hole in the work surface 3. On the underside of the work surface Z) are mounted one or more sliding plungers or blades 5 which locate in a recess 12 in the item of equipment.

In order to secure the item to the work surface the item is inserted in the direction of arrow 9 into the hole in the work surface as shown in Fig 3. The sliding plungers 5 are sprung loaded in the direction of the arrow 8 by the use of springs I I - The shape of the locating end piece of each plunger 55 enables deflection of the plunger automatically in the direction of the arrow 7 as the item is inserted until it springs back and locates in the recess in the item, Securing it to the work surface.

The locating end piece of the plungers 5 are shaped to ensure proper deflection of the plungers as the item is inserted. The end piece of the plungers are also shaped to cooperate with the shape of the recess in the item of equipment to assist in clamping down the item to the work surface as the plunger locates in the recess shown in more detail in Fig 4. The plungers are mounted in one or more supports 6 on the underside of the work surface and maintained sprung loaded in the direction of arrow 8 by a spring I I operating between the outer support 6 and a shoulder 19 on the plunger.

The recess in the item of equipment may be one or more holes or extended slots or a complete slot around the entire item, thereby enabling the item to be fixed in a variety of positions or rotateable as required.

One alternative design to the plunger 5 and item I is shown in Fig 5 whereby the plunger may be made thinner and hence reduce the depth of the catchment means by the inclusion of a charnfer I') on the bottom edge of the item of equipment and thereby negate the need for a top angle on the locating end of the plunger 5 whilst still ensuring the plunger is properly deflected in the direction of arrow 7 as the item is inserted into the work surface. In practice a combination of both chamfer I') and top angle on the plunger is likely to provide the best operation.

Fig 5 also shows how the stability of the item may be enhanced by the fitment of a compressible washer or grommet 14 either around the hole on the work surface 3 or around the protrusion on the underside of item 1.

To release and remove the item the plungers are pulled in the direction of arrow 7 by means of knobs or handles 10 on the outside end of the plungers, whilst at the same time the item is pushed in the opposite direction to that of arrow 9. See Fig 3, 4 or 5.

Where the catcliment device consists of more than one moving plunger or blade the plungers may be linked to each other in such a way that the item of equipment may be released by manually operating only one or more plungers or by the operation of some other lever or levers suitably connected enabling release by only one hand if required.

Alternatively the operation may be further simplified, particularly for the disabled or one-handed person, by provision of hinged fingers or blades which locate and secure the item of equipment in a similar manner to the sliding plunger described, but which require squeezing together to release as opposed to pulling apart. See Fig 10. In addition a further sprung plunger may be provided to push the item of equipment out of the secured position automatically when the release mechanism has been operated. See Fig 11. This sprung plunger may be of a sufficient length and diameter to fill the hole in the work surface when the item of equipment is removed.

The hole in the work surface may be alternatively plugged when no item is to be secured thereby providing a normal work surface by the insertion of a seperate dummy plug shown in Fig 6. The dummy plug is constructed such that the top disc 19 is greater in diameter than the lower section 15 which protrudes through the work surface, thereby ensuring the disc cannot pass right through the work surface. The work surface may be constructed with a top recess 20 around the hole through which the mating means or dummy plug pass, so that the disc on the dummy plug lies flush with the work surface when inserted. The incremental diameter of the recess with respect to that of the hole through the work surface, should be relatively small such that the item of equipment remains stable when attached, lying flat upon the surface.

In order to secure items of equipment to work surfaces which have not been adapted with a suitable fixing arrangement a portable version mav be utilised as shown in Fig 7. A small portable work surface 16 is adapted with the iixing arrangement and is reieasably secured to the required unadapted work surface 18 by means of rubber suckers, catches, bolts or similar means 17 (not part of this invention), an example of which is indicated in Fle 7.

Fig 8 shows a separate mating means adaptor 2 1, designed to attach to an item of equipment without an integral mating means by way of a large bolt 22 and constructed to co-operate with a fixing arrancrement in a work surface or other Z:l location in the same manner as that of an item with integral mating means.

The adaptor shoNk-n in Fig 8 is constructed such that the bolt is captive within the id loss and of sufficient size or design to be tightened and released by adaptor to avol I I hand. In addition the adaptor is constructed with a short locating pin 23, both to avoid rotation of the adaptor on the item of equipment as the bolt is turned and to ensure the adaptor is always attached in the same orientation with respect to the item.

Fig 9 shows the female securing mechanism on an item of equipment 24 designed for the attachment of a mating means adaptor. The female securing mechanism consists of a tapped hole 25 of such dimensions that the bolt on the adaptor may be screwed into the item, with a locating hole 26 positioned such that the locating pin 23 on the adaptor locates within it as the bolt is tightened.

The position of the locating hole on the item of equipment determines the orientation of the adaptor. By constructing the adaptor with only short slots 12 for the mating means in a pre-determined orientation with respect to the locating pin, then correct orientation of the item of equipment on the work surface results. Alternatively longer slots may be incorporated if required to provide part or complete rotation of the item of equipment when attached to the work surface.

Fic, 1-0 shows an alternative catchment arrangement where the moving fingers 27 are t-- hinged around a oint 29 which is mounted on a support 30. The release of the t P fingers is achieved by squeezing the end of the fingers in the direction of arrow 28.

Flo, 11 shows the addition of a separate plunger 32 operating within a support 3) I tn Z:1 which allows the plunger to move in direction 3)4 under the pressure from spring, 3 3 when the catchment is released thereby pushing the item of equipment out of the catchment means automatically. The fingers 27 are hinged within the support 31 and constructed to enable release through slots in the support 3)1 by squeezing in the direction of arrow 28. The plunger 32 'Is of a suitable diameter and mounted on a spring 33 both of sufficient size and with sufficient travel to enable the plunger to fill the hole in the work surface when the item of equipment is removed.

All moving parts may be tensioned with springs as described, or alternatively constructed from suitable material with an inherrent elasticity and of a design to provide the required movement and catchment without the necessity for springs.

The fixing arrangement may be integrated into any fixed mounting point not Z necessarily a working surface so that ease of use of an item of equipment may be gained in a wide variety of circumstances such as on wheelchairs. car seats, hospital beds etc.

Claims

I A fixing arrangement devised to facilitate use of an item of equipment when such use benefits from the item being held in a stable position relative to a working surface or fixed mounting point, comprising catchment means on or beneath the surface said catchment means being operable to co-operate with mating means on the item so that when cooperating the item is held securely, wherein said catchment means operates automatically to co-operate,"rith said mating means as the item is pushed into position and the catchment means on or beneath the surface can be easily released to allow the item to be removed.
2 Mating, means which co-operates with the catchment means and for use in the fixinc, arran-ement described in Claim 1.
Matina means according to Claim 2 comprising a recess in the item of equipment wherein said recess may be one or more holes or slots to facilitate fixture or rotation of the item.
4 Catchment means for use in the fixing arrangement described in Claim I comprising one or more spring loaded sliding or hinged plungers, blades or fingers.
A fixing arrangement according to Claim I wherein the item of equipment C) tl may be released by hand without the use of tools.
6 A fixing arrangement according to Claims I or 4 or 5 wherein the item of equipment in use protrudes through a hole in the work surface to enable the catchment means to be below the work surface.
7 A fixing arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3), 4, 5 or 6 wherein the catchment means and the recess on the item of equipment are designed to hold the item of equipment firmly to the work surface.
8 A fixing arrangement as claimed in Claims I or 5 or 6 or 7 wherein the work surface or item of equipment is provided with a compressible washer to support and stabilize the item of equipment on the work surface.
9 A removeable plue, for use in the fixing arrangement descnibed in Claim 6 which when fitted is held securely in position to fill the hole in the work surface when no item of equipment is to be secured.
A fixing arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1,4, 5. 6 or 7 wherein multiple sliding or hinged plungers, blades or fingers are linked to each other such that release of the item of equipment is achieved by the operation of a separate lever or levers or without the need to manually operate all parts individually.
I I A fixing arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1,4, 5, 6 or 7 wherein multiple plungers, blades or fingers are constructed or hinged such that release of the item of equipment is achieved by squeezing, the parts together.
12 A fixing arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1,4, 5, 6, 7, 10 or I I wherein a separate sprung loaded plunger is provided which pushes the item of equipment away automatically when the mechanism is released.
13 A fixing arrangement as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the separate sprung loaded plunger is constructed to fill the hole in the work surface when the item of equipment is not in position.
14 A fixing arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the item of equipment is a child's, handicapped persons or infirm persons plate or bowl.
A fixing arrangement as claimed in any of Claims I to 13 wherein the item of equipment is an educational or developmental training aid, toy. or game.
16 A fixing arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the fixing arrangement is located on a portable work surface which is adapted to fit to a normal unadapted work surface by some other means.
17 A mating means adaptor for attachment to an item of equipment which is without integral mating means for use in the fixing arrangement described in Claim I t:' Z> and which co-operates with the catchment means.
18 Secuning mechanism integrated into an item of equipment for the purpose of attachment of a mating means adaptor as described in Claim 17.
19 A fixing arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the fixing arrangement is integrated within a mounting point not necessarily a working surface.

Z-- A fixing arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to Figures I -I I of the accompanying drawing.