GB2588451A

GB2588451A - Improvements in or relating to window assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB2588451A
Application number: GB1915495.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Devereux Robert; Lomas Oliver
Original assignee: Vale Secure Ltd
Current assignee: Vale Secure Ltd
Priority date: 2019-10-25
Filing date: 2019-10-25
Publication date: 2021-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-25
Also published as: GB2588451B; GB201915495D0

Abstract

An anti-ligature window assembly 10 for secure hospitals, prisons or detention centres comprising a window frame 12 having an interior side 14 and an exterior side 16, the interior side defining a first cavity (18, fig 2) and the exterior side defining a second cavity (20, fig 2). The first cavity is bisected by a mullion (22, fig 2) to define first and second apertures 24a, 24b. The first aperture has a ventilation panel 26 secured within with no ligature points present. The second aperture has a hingedly mounted casement window 32 within that opens inwards and is selectively lockable, preferably via an anti-ligature lock actuator 36, and has no ligature points present. The second cavity has a slidably mounted sealing panel 30 that is movable to close the first window aperture or opened to allow ventilation. The casement window, when opened, provides maintenance access to replace the glazing pane 34.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO WINDOW ASSEMBLIES

This invention relates to an anti-ligature window assembly for installation in a room within a secure environment.

In secure environments such as hospitals, and mental healthcare areas thereof in particular, as well as detention centres and prisons, it is often necessary to detain an individual safely within a room.

Such individuals may on occasion wish to inflict harm on themselves, which in extreme cases may result in loss of life. It is therefore essential that the rooms they are detained in do not present an opportunity for them to obtain something, or secure anything, to create a point of ligature which could then be used to self-harm.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an anti-ligature window assembly, for installation in a room within a secure environment, comprising a window frame having a first interior side which when the window assembly is installed in a wall of a room faces inwardly and a second exterior side which when the window assembly is so installed faces outwardly, the window frame defining a first cavity extending from the first interior side and lying adjacent to a second cavity extending from the second exterior side, the first cavity being bisected by a mullion member to define first and second window apertures, the first window aperture having a ventilation panel secured therewithin to restrict access through the first window aperture, the ventilation panel and the first window aperture cooperating with one another to prevent the securing of a ligature thereto or therebetween, the second cavity having a sealing panel slidably mounted therein and movable between a first position in which the first window aperture is closed and ventilation therethrough is prevented and a second position in which the first window aperture is at least partially open and ventilation therethrough is permitted, the second window aperture having a casement window hingedly mounted therewithin to open inwardly from a closed position in which the casement window is selectively lockable and in which the casement window and the second window aperture cooperate with one another to prevent the securing of a ligature thereto or therebetween, and the casement window when open providing maintenance access to one or more removable glazing mounting members whereby a glazing pane within the casement window is selectively replaceable.

The provision of a second window aperture having such a casement window desirably provides the necessary anti-ligature functionality when closed, as well as preventing unauthorised access to the one or more removable glazing mounting members which might otherwise be removed to create a ligature securing point and/or to themselves create a ligature.

Meanwhile, selectively allowing the casement window to open inwardly, i.e. when unlocked, beneficially permits authorised removal of the one or more glazing mounting members and subsequent replacement of the associated glazing pane, e.g. if faulty or damaged, even when the window assembly of the invention is installed in a secondary glazing configuration such that the second exterior side of its window frame lies inboard of a primary window assembly and access to the one or more removable glazing mounting members via the primary window assembly is not possible. Accordingly, such an inwardly opening casement window avoids the need to remove and replace the whole anti-ligature window assembly, at considerable cost, solely to replace a faulty or damaged glazing pane in the second window aperture.

Preferably the casement window, mullion member and first interior side of the window frame lie flush with one another.

Arranging the casement window, mullion member and window frame relative to one another in the foregoing manner advantageously avoids forming a protrusion, over-or under hang, or other structural feature from which, or to which, an element such as a cord, rope, or bedsheet could be secured looped, tied or otherwise secured to create a ligature.

Optionally the casement window is spaced from each of the mullion member and corresponding portions of the window frame by not more than 3mm.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the casement window is spaced from each of the mullion member and the corresponding portions of the window frame by not more than 1MM.

Limiting the spacing between the casement window and each of the mullion member and the corresponding portions of the window frame, as set out above, helps to ensure that a ligature cannot be forcibly wedged or otherwise retained between these elements.

One of the casement window and the mullion member may include at least one movable locking member and the other of the casement window and the mullion member may include at least one cooperating lock keep into which the at least one locking member is movable to lock the casement window in its closed position.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the at least one locking member is coupled with a lock actuator to selectively move the or each locking member into the corresponding lock keep.

Preferably the lock actuator includes a key-operated actuator spindle, rotation of which causes movement of the or each locking member in to and out of the corresponding lock keep.

The inclusion of at least one locking member and cooperating lock keep, as described hereinabove, beneficially limits access to the or each removable glazing mounting member of the casement window to authorised persons only, and so reduces the risk of the casement window or elements thereof being used by an individual to inflict harm on themselves (or indeed on others).

Optionally only a frusto-conical portion of the lock actuator is externally accessible.

Having only a portion of the lock actuator so shaped externally accessible, i.e. accessible beyond the exterior of either the casement window or mullion member within which the lock actuator is located, avoids the provision of a structural feature to which or from which an individual could secure a ligature.

There now follows a description of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the following figures in which: Figure 1 shows an anti-ligature window assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a portion of the assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a portion of the assembly shown in Figure 1 with a casement window in a closed position; Figure 4 shows an enlarged portion of a locking assembly shown in Figure 3; and Figure 5 shows the locking assembly of Figure 3 in more detail.

An anti-ligature window assembly according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 5 and is indicated generally by reference numeral 10.

Starting with Figure 1, the window assembly 10 includes a window frame 12 that has a first interior side 14 and a second exterior side 16. The first interior side 14 is the side which faces inwardly when the window assembly 10 is installed in a wall of a room, whereas the second exterior side 16 is the side which faces outwardly when the window assembly 10 is so installed.

The window frame 10 defines a first cavity 18 which extends from the first interior side 14 and which lies adjacent to a second cavity 20 which extends from the second exterior side 16. The first and second cavities 18, 20 are shown more clearly in Figure 2.

The first cavity 18 is bisected by a mullion member 22 to define first and second window apertures 24a, 24b, which are again shown more clearly in Figure 2.

The first window aperture 24a has a ventilation panel 26 secured therewithin which restricts access through the first window aperture 24a. The ventilation panel 26 and the first window aperture 24a cooperate with one another to prevent the securing of a ligature thereto or therebetween. In particular, the ventilation panel 26 mullion member 22 and first interior side 14 of the window frame 12 lie flush with one another so that no protrusion, over-or under hang, or other structural feature from which, or to which, an element such as a cord, rope, or bedsheet could be secured looped, tied or otherwise secured, is created.

Moreover, the ventilation panel 26 is formed from a mesh 28 with an anti-ligature hole pattern (i.e. the holes in the mesh 28 are sized so as to prevent an element such as a cord, rope, etc. being secured, looped or tied to the holes). The mesh 28 is typically made from stainless steel, but other suitable materials may be used.

The second cavity 20 has a sealing panel 30 which is slidably mounted therein. The sealing panel 30 is moveable between a first position in which the first window aperture 24a is closed and ventilation therethrough is prevented, and a second position in which the first window aperture 24a is at least partially open and ventilation therefore is permitted. The sealing panel 30 is shown in the second position in Figure 1 and is shown in the first position in Figure 2. The sealing panel 30 is formed using a glazing pane so that the view through the second window aperture 24b is not obscured when the sealing panel 30 is in the second position.

The second window aperture 24b has a casement window 32 which is hingedly mounted therewithin so that it opens inwardly from a closed position, i.e. it opens into the room in which the window assembly 10 is installed. When the casement window 32 is in the closed position, as shown in more detail in Figure 3, the casement window 32 and the second window aperture 24b cooperate with one another to prevent the securing of a ligature thereto or therebetween. In particular, the casement window 32 (when in the closed position), mullion member 22 and first interior side 14 of the window frame 12 lie flush with one another so that no protrusion, over-or under hang, or other structural feature from which, or to which, an element such as a cord, rope, or bedsheet could be secured looped, tied or otherwise secured, is created.

Moreover, the inwardly facing side of the casement window 32 does not include any removeable glazing mounting members (sometimes referred to as window sealing gaskets) which would normally permit removal and replacement of a glazing pane 34 of the casement window 32 so that the casement window 32 is again completely flush at the first interior side 14 of the window frame 12. Instead, such removeable glazing mounting members (not shown) are positioned on the outwardly facing side of the casement window 32, and such glazing mounting members become accessible when the casement window 32 is opened inwardly.

In this embodiment, the casement window 32 is spaced from each of the mullion member 22 and corresponding portions of the window frame 12 by not more than 1mm. In other embodiments, the casement window 32 may be spaced from each of the mullion member 22 and corresponding portions of the window frame 12 by not more than 2mm. Such spacing is another way in which the casement window 32 and the second window aperture 24b cooperate with one another to be anti-ligature.

In the embodiment shown, the casement window 32 includes a locking assembly 36 which can be operated from the inside of the window assembly 10 so as to lock the casement window 32 in its closed position.

As shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5, the locking assembly 36 includes a lock actuator 38 which includes a key-operated actuator spindle 40. The actuator spindle 40 is rotated upon rotation of a key 42 which is inserted into the locking assembly 36 so as to cooperate with the actuator spindle 40.

The actuator spindle 40 is coupled to a locking member (not shown) and rotation of the actuator spindle 40 causes movement of a locking member into and out of a corresponding lock keep (not shown). The locking member and corresponding lock keep are located within a locking housing 44, as shown in Figure 5.

When the key 42 is removed from the locking assembly 36, only a frusto-conical portion 46 of the lock actuator 38 is externally accessible. The sloping nature of the frusto-conical portion 46 of the lock actuator 38 prevents the securing of a ligature thereto.

The locking member and lock keep may be positioned within either one of the casement window 32 and the mullion member 22. Moreover, the locking assembly 36 may include more than one locking member and lock keep. In such an embodiment, the locking assembly 36 may include more than one lock actuator 38, 40, or may instead be operated by a single lock actuator 38, 40.

In use, the window assembly 10 is installed as a secondary glazing configuration such that the second exterior side 16 of the window frame 12 lies inboard of a primary window assembly and access to the removeable glazing mounting members via the primary window assembly is not possible.

When the glazing pane 34 of the casement window 32 needs repaired or replaced, an authorised operative uses the key 42 to unlock the locking assembly 36 from inside the room in which the window assembly 10 is installed. In particular, the key 42 is slotted into the locking assembly 36 via the frusto-conical portion 46 of the lock actuator 38 and is rotated. Such rotation rotates the actuator spindle 40 which, in turn, causes movement of the locking member out of the corresponding lock keep, thus unlocking the casement window 32 from the mullion member 22.

The operative opens the casement window 32 inwards to its open position, where to the removable glazing mounting members on the second exterior side 16 of the window frame 12 can be accessed. The glazing pane 34 can then be repaired or replaced and the casement window 34 thereafter shut and locked in its closed position.

During everyday use, the sealing panel 30 can be moved between its first and second positions to selectively prevent and permit ventilation through the first window aperture 24a (i.e. via the mesh 28 of the ventilation panel 26). With the casement window 32 locked in its closed position, the features outlined above (i.e. the flush-nature of the ventilation panel 26 and casement window 32 with the window frame 12, the gap between the casement window and each of the mullion member 22 and window frame 12 being at least less than 2mm, the anti-ligature mesh 28 of the ventilation panel 26 and the sloped sides of the frusto-conical portion 46 of the lock actuator 38) mean that no protrusion, over-or under hang, or other structural feature from which, or to which, an element such as a cord, rope, or bedsheet could be secured looped, tied or otherwise secured, is provided by the window assembly 10.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An anti-ligature window assembly, for installation in a room within a secure environment, comprising a window frame having a first interior side which when the window assembly is installed in a wall of a room faces inwardly and a second exterior side which when the window assembly is so installed faces outwardly, the window frame defining a first cavity extending from the first interior side and lying adjacent to a second cavity extending from the second exterior side, the first cavity being bisected by a mullion member to define first and second window apertures, the first window aperture having a ventilation panel secured therewithin to restrict access through the first window aperture, the ventilation panel and the first window aperture cooperating with one another to prevent the securing of a ligature thereto or 15 therebetween, the second cavity having a sealing panel slidably mounted therein and movable between a first position in which the first window aperture is closed and ventilation therethrough is prevented and a second position in which the first window aperture is at least partially open and ventilation therethrough is permitted, the second window aperture having a casement window hingedly mounted therewithin to open inwardly from a closed position in which the casement window is selectively lockable and in which the casement window and the second window aperture cooperate with one another to prevent the securing of a ligature thereto or therebetween, and the casement window when open providing maintenance access to one or more removable glazing mounting members whereby a glazing pane within the casement window is selectively replaceable.
2. An anti-ligature window assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the casement window, mullion member and first interior side of the window frame lie flush with one another.
3. An anti-ligature window assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the casement window is spaced from each of the mullion member and corresponding portions 35 of the window frame by not more than 2mm.
4. An anti-ligature window assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the casement window is spaced from each of the mullion member and the corresponding portions of the window frame by not more than lmm.
5. An anti-ligature window assembly according to any preceding claim wherein one of the casement window and the mullion member includes at least one movable locking member and the other of the casement window and the mullion member includes at least one cooperating lock keep into which the at least one locking member is movable to lock the casement window in its closed position.
6. An anti-ligature window assembly according to Claim 5 wherein the at least one locking member is coupled with a lock actuator to selectively move the or each locking member into the corresponding lock keep.
7. An anti-ligature window assembly according to Claim 6 wherein the lock actuator includes a key-operated actuator spindle, rotation of which causes movement of the or each locking member in to and out of the corresponding lock keep.
8. An anti-ligature window assembly according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein only a frusto-conical portion of the lock actuator is externally accessible.