Protective apparel and support apparatus and method of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016339276-A1
Application number	US-201615225124-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 1, 2016
Priority date	Mar 22, 2011
Publication date	Nov 24, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A protective apparel support ( 100 ) system is disclosed comprising a support frame configured to rest on the shoulders of a wearer, the support having a first shoulder member ( 104 a ), a second shoulder member ( 104 b ) and a shield ( 202 ) engagement portion. A shield ( 202 ) is selectively coupleable to the support and protective apparel ( 302 ) is coupled to the shield.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A protective apparel and support apparatus, comprising:
a first gown portion defining a first barrier; a second gown portion including a vision shield defining a second barrier; a yoke configured to rest on the shoulders of a wearer, the yoke comprising:
a front portion and a rear portion;
a cavity;
a chamber to communicate air within the yoke;
an inlet air port that receives air directed from outside of the barrier space defined by the shield;
an outlet air port that receives air directed from inside of the barrier space defined at least in part by the vision shield;
an air circulation system comprising a blower; and
a power supply;
wherein the vision shield is attached to the yoke front portion.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the yoke front portion supports the vision shield.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the power supply is positioned within the cavity and provides counter weight to the vision shield.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blower is in fluid communication with the chamber.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blower directs air out of an interior barrier space.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blower introduces air into an interior barrier space.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blower is a first blower and the air circulation system further comprises a second blower, wherein the first blower directs air out of an interior barrier space and the second blower introduces air into an interior barrier space.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blower is positioned within the yoke rear portion and provides counter weight to the vision shield.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the yoke rear portion has a first end adjacent to the wearer's ear and a second end spaced apart from the wearer's ear and the blower is disposed adjacent to the second end.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outlet air port is positioned on the yoke front portion and directs an airflow substantially parallel to a wear's vision.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the outlet airflow is directed toward the vision shield.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a securement device for supporting the yoke.

13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the yoke comprises unitary structure.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the unitary structure is flexible.

15 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the unitary structure is at least semi-rigid.

16 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the unitary structure comprises a wire frame and a synthetic plastic support portion.

17 . A protective apparel and support apparatus, comprising:
a first gown portion defining a first barrier; a second gown portion including a vision shield defining a second barrier; a yoke configured to rest on the shoulders of a wearer, the yoke comprising:
a unitary structure that is flexible in part and semi-rigid in part;
a front portion supporting the vision shield;
a cavity;
an air circulation system comprising a blower;
a power supply; and
an air chamber in fluid communication with the blower.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the cavity is a first cavity, the yoke further comprises a second cavity, the power supply is positioned within the first cavity, and the blower is positioned within the second cavity.

19 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the yoke further comprises a rear portion, the cavity is formed in the rear portion, and the power supply is positioned within the cavity and provides counter weight to the shield.

20 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the blower is positioned within the cavity and provides counter weight to the shield.

Assignees

• Medline Ind Inc

Inventors

• Czajka Francis A
• Lother Troy
• Kutsch John H
• Lackowski Vince

Classifications

• A41D13/1218 Primary

  with head or face protection · CPC title

• A41D13/1153

  with a hood · CPC title

• A62B18/045

  with fans for delivering air for breathing mounted in or on the helmet · CPC title

• A62B18/084 Primary

  Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets · CPC title

• A41D27/00

  Details of garments or of their making (buttons, pins, buckles, slide fasteners or the like A44B) · CPC title