Protective apparel and support apparatus and method of use

• US 9,776,024 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2016
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• 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:
  US15/225,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20160339276A1
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 2461, 2468, 2459, 2462, 2424, 2 11, 2463, 2456, 2457, 2 44, 2 45, 2 48, 2 51, 2 50, 2 9, 2458, 2 7, 2 52, 2 15, 2 10, 2 84, 2 88, 2 92, 12820129, 12820415, 12820418, 12820028
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1153 with a hood
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1218 with head or face protection
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/00 Details of garments or of their making buttons, pins, buckles, slide fasteners or the like A44B
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/045 with fans for delivering air for breathing mounted in or on the helmet
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/084 Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets

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 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.