PROTECTIVE APPAREL AND SUPPORT APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20180132550A1
• Filed: 12/21/2017
• Published: 05/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medline Industries Incorporated (Medline Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Medline Industries Incorporated (Medline Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: CZAJKA, Francis A., LOTHER, Troy, KUTSCH, John H., LACKOWSKI, Vince
• Granted Patent: US 10,448,685 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0025 by means of forced air circulation
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1153 with a hood
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1209 Surgeons' gowns or dresses
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1218 with head or face protection
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 17/001 Adaptations for donning, adjusting or increasing mobility, e.g. closures, joints
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/003 having means for creating a fresh air curtain
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/045 with fans for delivering air for breathing mounted in or on the helmet

Abstract

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

Claims

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 wear, the yoke comprising;

a chest member, the chest member comprising a first chest member having a forward end and a rearward end, and a second chest member having a forward end and a rearward end, wherein;

the chest member at least partially secures a vision shield of a gown portion,

the first chest member rests at least partially on a first shoulder of a wearer and the second chest member rests at least partially on a second shoulder of a wearer, and

the first chest member forward end is spaced apart from the second chest member forward end.

2. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the yoke further comprises a first back member coupled to the first chest member and a second back member coupled to the second chest member.

3. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 1, the yoke further including a vision shield receiving element.

4. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a securement device.

5. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the securement device supports a weight of the yoke.

6. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the securement device supports a weight of the second gown portion.

7. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the securement device includes at least one of a fan, a heating system, and a cooling system.

8. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the securement device comprises a yoke insertion device coupled to the chest member and a yoke receiver device.

9. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 8, wherein the yoke insertion device comprises a shoe and the yoke receiver device comprises a boot, wherein the shoe is removably disposed within the boot.

10. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the securement device is at least one of a vest, jacket, shirt, scrub, harness, belt and backpack.

11. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the securement device is coupled to a radiation shielding portion.

12. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the securement device is permanently coupled to the yoke.

13. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the securement device is removably coupled to the yoke.

14. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the yoke includes at least one hollow chamber to communicate air within the yoke and the first chest portion includes an inlet air port for receiving air directed from outside the second barrier and the second chest portion includes an outlet air port for receiving air directed from inside of the second barrier.

15. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 14 further comprising an air circulation system.

16. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 15, wherein the air circulation system comprises a fan.

17. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fan is a first fan and a second fan, the first fan drawing air into an interior barrier space and the second fan drawing air out of an interior barrier space.

18. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first chest member includes the first fan and the second chest member includes the second fan.

19. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 1, wherein a gap is formed between the first chest member forward end and the second chest member forward end.

20. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 1, wherein a lower portion of the vision shield extends beyond a lower portion of the yoke.