Protective apparel and support apparatus and method of use

• US 9,480,290 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): VANATTA, AMY B
• Application Number:
  US13/709,783
• Publication Number:
  US 20130091624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,422 Days
• Field of Search: 246/1, 246/8, 245/9, 246/2, 242/4, 2 1/1, 246/3, 245/6, 245/7, 2 4/4, 2 4/5, 2 4/8, 2 5/1, 128/201.29, 128/204.15, 128/204.18, 128/200.28
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 18/045 with fans for delivering air for breathing mounted in or on the helmet

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 (104a), a second shoulder member (104b) and a shield (202) engagement portion. A shield (202) is selectively coupleable to the support and protective apparel (302) is coupled to the shield.

Claims

1. A protective apparel and support apparatus, comprising:

a yoke including a chest member, the chest member comprising a shoe and

a securement device including a yoke receiver, the yoke receiver comprising a boot, wherein;

the yoke rests on shoulders of a wearer,

the chest member secures a shield of a gown portion,

the shoe of the chest member is removably disposed within the boot of the receiving member; and

the securement device supports a weight of the yoke and a weight of the shield.

2. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the securement device includes a shoulder plate and the chest member includes a shoulder pad disposed on the shoulder plate when the shoe is disposed within the boot.

3. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chest member includes a fan directing an air flow into an interior barrier space defined by the shield.

4. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a control module that changes a speed of the fan.

5. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chest member is a first chest member, the yoke including a second chest member.

6. A protective apparel and support apparatus, comprising:

a gown portion comprising a shield;

a yoke comprising a first chest member and a second chest member; and

a securement device comprising a receiver member, wherein;

the yoke rests on shoulders of a wearer,

the first and second chest members secure the shield of the gown portion and comprise an insertion member removably disposed within the receiving member of the securement device;

the securement device supports the yoke; and

the first chest member includes a first fan directing an air flow into an interior barrier space defined by the shield, and the second chest member includes a second fan directing an air flow out of the interior barrier space defined by the shield.

7. A protective apparel and support apparatus, comprising:

a yoke securing a shield of an outer garment, the yoke including a first connector comprising a shoe and a chest member including an air flow path directing an air flow into an interior barrier space defined by the shield; and

an inner garment including a second connector comprising a yoke receiver, the yoke receiver including a boot,

wherein the second connector receives the first connector.

8. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inner garment is a harness.

9. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inner garment includes a fan directing the air flow to the air flow path of the chest member.

10. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 7, further including an electronic control module controlling at least one of a microphone, a speaker, a fan, and a projector.

11. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electronic control module operates in response to a gesture.

12. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electronic control module operates in response to a voice command.

13. A protective apparel and support apparatus, comprising:

a yoke securing a shield of an outer garment, the yoke comprising a first connector and a chest member including an air flow path directing an air flow into an interior barrier space defined by the shield;

an inner garment including a second connector that receives the first connector; and

a projector projecting information onto the shield.

14. The protective apparel and support apparatus of claim 13, wherein the information includes at least one of a speed of a fan, a patient vital value, a wearer vital sign, an ambient measurement and a procedure location.