Protective headgear system with filter protector

ES 2 393 083 T3

DESCRIPTION

Protective headgear system with filter protector

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the invention

This invention relates generally to personal protection systems against the environment and, more specifically, to a headgear structure worn by a person in an environment where filtered air control is required and protection against particulate material.

2. Previous technique

There are various types of air circulation, filtration and protection systems known in the art. Some of these types of systems are currently marketed for use in surgical areas, in “clean room” environments, or in hazardous / contaminated environments.

Some of the existing systems include hoods, dresses, filters and the like. In some cases, air filters are built into the structure of a helmet and result in an impractical and uncomfortable piece of headgear. Known units often include external sources of air, such as gas cylinders, air lines or the like, which are connected to the hull structure by tubes, hoses or the like. Hose-connected systems and long suits or hoods tend to be very uncomfortable and restrictive of the wearer's movements and flexibility during a procedure.

In many of the systems known in the art, hoods and / or suits are used as filtration devices that must be replaced frequently. Therefore, this structure tends to be expensive, since disposable filtration devices are quite expensive.

Also, these systems tend to be quite expensive, especially when it comes to the disposable parts of the system.

Many products of this type are known in the prior art. A suitable and functional system is described in US Patent 5,054,480; PERSONAL AIR FILTRATION AND CONTROL SYSTEM, by RO Bare et al.

Another such system is described in US patent 5,711,033; AIR FILTRATION AND CONTROL SYSTEM INCLUDING HEADGEAR, by LJ Green, et al.

The most pertinent document of the prior art is US Patent 6,918,141; PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR SYSTEM, by Lawrence J. Green, Celestino Murillo and Obed Rios. This document has been used as the basis for drafting the preamble of claim 1.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a head protective equipment system according to claim 1 is disclosed. Other embodiments of the invention are claimed in the dependent claims.

Specifically, this invention relates to a head protective gear system used by a surgeon during a surgical procedure, by a technician during an assembly process, by a worker during handling of toxic waste or the like.

The system includes a relatively light weight and substantially rigid headgear support structure. Typically, a fan mechanism is mounted on the headgear structure to circulate air in the headgear structure. It is possible to use a suitable power source, such as batteries or the like, to selectively drive the fan.

The system further includes one or more removable and disposable filters that are adapted to be easily and tightly attached to and supported by the headgear structure to significantly cover the outer surface of the headgear structure. head.

A transparent face shield (or lens) is adapted for easy attachment to the headgear structure to cover the wearer's face to maintain sterile and non-contaminating conditions for the wearer.

A flexible containment cover is adapted for easy attachment to the lower edge of the face shield in order to surround the lower ridge of the lens and form a sealed space around the wearer's head. In one embodiment, the cover may be closed around the neck of the wearer.

An adjustable headband is attached to the headgear frame to support the frame

ES 2 393 083 T3 mounted on the head of the wearer.

A relatively lightweight and substantially rigid outer filter shield is disclosed for mounting on the lens, at least in a partially spaced relationship, in order to obtain an air gap between the lens and the filter shield.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the assembled helmet system of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment of the assembled helmet system shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear exploded view of the embodiment of the helmet system shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a front exploded view of the embodiment of the headgear structure of the present invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is a front exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring together to Figures 1 to 4, an embodiment of the helmet unit 10 of the present invention is shown. Helmet unit 10 includes helmet shell 100, helmet shell mounted fan mechanism 108, outer filter guard 500, main filter 400, face shield 200, cover 300, and belt unit 175 upside down.

Headband 175 is used to support helmet 10 on the wearer's head (not shown). The headband 175 is basically conventional and, furthermore, it is optional. That is, a different head attachment support mechanism can be used or can be dispensed with if preferred.

Headband 175 includes a headband 176 that surrounds the head and is adjustable to comfortably fit the individual wearer's head size. An adjusting closure 177 allows tape 176 to be shortened or lengthened in a conventional manner.

A strap 178 disposed over the head is attached to the strap 176 in any conventional manner. Belt 176 and belt 178 can be integrally shaped if desired. The strap and strap are formed of a suitable material, such as, for example, nylon. Although adjustment of the length of strap 178 is contemplated, this is not a necessary feature of the invention per se.

Headband 176 includes suitable tie arms 179 (see Figure 5) that extend outwardly from headband 176. Arms 179 are arranged for attachment to helmet 100 by suitable fasteners 180 which may be flat head screws or the like, as described above.

A suitable cavity 181 on each side of the helmet shell 100 and a suitable cavity 171 on each side of the headband 175 (shown more clearly in Figure 3) are arranged to house connectors 180, such as flat head screws. or the like, in order to secure the headband 175 to the helmet shell, as described below.

Typically, helmet shell 100 is formed of a lightweight material, such as, for example, PETG or polycarbonate. The helmet shell 100 is configured to generally conform to the shape of the top of the wearer's head, yet to be separated from the top of the wearer's head by the headband 175 described below.

Furthermore, as will be described below, the helmet shell 100 is strong enough to support a cooling or air movement mechanism 108, e.g. eg, typically a fan or the like.

A plurality of radial ribs 103 extend upwardly from the outer surface of helmet shell 100 and run radially upward and outward from the longitudinal center of helmet shell 100 toward its perimeter. The ribs 103 may be integral with the helmet shell 100 and may be shaped like an inverted basket, although this configuration is not necessary.

A fan cover 101 extends over the outer surface of the helmet shell 100. The fan cover 101 is attached to the ribs 103 or is integrally formed therewith to form a protective and contour cover for the fan mechanism 108, of any conventional type, such as, for example, that described in the patents of United States D 460,584 and 6,792,944. Therefore, the fan cover 101, in combination with the ribs 103, forms a spacer to maintain a distance between the 3

ES 2 393 083 T3 helmet shell 100 and filter 400. A fan opening 109 is provided through the side of the fan cover 101.

The fan cover 101, as well as the ribs 103, serve to support the protective filter 400 on the helmet shell 100. Thus, it is possible to define and maintain air circulation channels around the helmet unit 10, so that the fan mechanism 108 allows a flow of cooling and filtered air to be supplied to the wearer of the helmet unit 10.

A mounting pin 160 is attached to the front of the helmet shell 100. The mounting pin 160 is arranged to house and position the face shield 200 (not shown), as well as the filter 400, as described below.

A filter 400, typically, but not limiting, made of electrostatically charged fibrous plastic material (melt blown polypropylene), is configured to conform to the outer shape of helmet shell 100 and is adapted to fit fairly snugly in the same. By selecting the filter material 400 it is possible to control the level or degree of filtration of the air entering or leaving the helmet shell 100.

The front edge 402 of the filter 400 is attached to the helmet shell 100 by any suitable fastener, such as Velcro or the like. In addition, filter 400 includes a hole 403 therein, through which mounting pin 160 extends to position filter 400. As will be described below, the top edge of lens 200 retains the perimeter of the main filter. 400 with respect to the helmet shell 100.

In this embodiment, a filter protector 500 is arranged to cover the filter 400. The filter protector 500 can be made of a material that is the same as that of the helmet 100 (or similar) if so desired. The filter protector 500 prevents damage to the filter 400 and also prevents people (including the wearer) from touching the possibly contaminated surface of the filter 400.

Filter shield 500 is attached to the upper edge portion of lens 200, for example, by rivets 600. Specifically, shield 500 includes a plurality of slit sections 550 (or gaps) through which are rivets 600 are inserted. The sections 555 of the filter shield 500 intermediate between the slit sections 550 are spaced from the surface of the upper edge portion of the lens 200, thereby forming the space 700 through which air can pass into the space defined above. the filter.

Additionally, the filter guard has an upper slit detail 530 that abuts the upper rear surface 430 of the filter 400 which, in turn, abuts the fan cover 101, thereby forming a gap with respect to to filter 400 and maintaining a gap 750 between filter 400 and filter protector 500.

A face lens 200 made of a transparent waterproof material, such as polycarbonate or the like, is adapted for mounting on the outer surface of the helmet shell 100. Lens 200 may include a gasket made of closed cell foam or other compressible material mounted to the substantially linear upper edge thereof. Lens 200 is adapted to abut against the outer surface of filter 400, which in turn abuts the outer surface of helmet shell 100, thereby retaining the perimeter of filter 400 in position. The juxtaposition of the inner surface of the filter 400 and the outer surface of the helmet shell 100 makes it possible to obtain a secure and hermetic seal between the inner surface of the filter 400 and the outer surface of the helmet shell 100. Similarly, the inner surface of the lens 200 is sealed to the outer surface of the filter 400.

In one embodiment, filter shield 500 and lens 200 are manufactured and adapted to fit the shape of the perimeter of helmet shell 100. In this case, a suitable locking device is provided to fix the lens 200 to the helmet shell 100. In one embodiment, the locking device may comprise a pair of locking tabs 203A and 203B attached to lens 200 by rivets or the like and a snap-fit ​​connector 204 (comprised of snap-fit ​​components 204A and 204B). Other blocking techniques are also contemplated.

A positioning hole 230 is disposed in the center of the shield 200, adjacent to its upper edge. The hole 230 is disposed over the mounting pin 160 in the helmet shell 100, as described above, to position the shield. 200 relative to the helmet shell 100.

Also contemplated is the possibility that the placement hole, as well as the tabs 203A and 203B, can be incorporated into the filter protector 500, so that the filter protector 500 can function as an integrated unit.

In addition, one side of a zipper 206, ie, zipper side 206A, is attached to the lower curvilinear edge of lens 200 for attachment to cover 300, as described below. The other side of the rack 206, ie, the rack side 206B, is attached to the outer edge of the cover 300 described below. The rack side 206B is adapted for selective connection to the rack side 206A so

Conventional ES 2 393 083 T3, for the purpose of thereby attaching the cover 300 to the lens 200, which is adapted for attachment to the helmet shell 100, as described above.

In an alternative embodiment, the zipper may be replaced by a suitable attachment or fastening device, including, for example, a material with a deformable groove that is securely attached to a rib on the lower edge of lens 200.

Cover 300 is made of a sheet of flexible material, such as rayon or melt blown plastic or polypropylene. This typically breathable material acts as a filter for ambient air adjacent to the wearer's head. The cover also acts as a protective barrier to prevent the transmission of particulate material to or from the carrier to or from the environment.

Cover 300 includes an opening 305 that is designed to pass over the wearer's head. In a preferred embodiment, an elastic strap 302 is attached to the circumference of the opening 305. The elastic strap 302 can be stretched to pass over the wearer's head and then contract to form a reasonably snug but comfortable fit of the cover 300 around the wearer's neck. Alternatively, it is possible to use a loop, cord, or other attachment means to contract the head opening 305. Therefore, the cover 300 forms a protective barrier for the wearer's head.

In an alternate embodiment, it is contemplated that filter 400, face shield 200, and protective cover 300 may be attached to each other as a subassembly and placed in helmet shell 100 to obtain the filtration and protection functions described.

Referring now to Figure 5, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, components similar to the components previously described have similar reference numerals, the previous description being applicable therein.

Therefore, the helmet unit 10A includes the helmet shell 100A, the fan mechanism 108 mounted on the helmet shell, the outer filter (or protector) 500, the main filter 400, the face shield 200, the cover 300. and the headband unit 175.

Headband 175 is used to support helmet 10 on the wearer's head, as described above. The headband 175 is basically conventional and, moreover, it is optional. That is, a different head attachment support mechanism can be used or can be dispensed with if preferred.

Typically, the headband 175 includes a headband 176 that surrounds the head, a strap 178 disposed over the head, suitable attachment arms 179 for attachment to the helmet shell 100A by suitable fasteners 180 which may be set screws. flat head or the like, as described above.

Typically, the helmet shell 100A is formed of a lightweight material, such as, for example, PETG or polycarbonate. The helmet shell 100A is configured to generally conform to the shape of the top of the wearer's head, yet to be separated from the top of the wearer's head by the headband 175 described below. Furthermore, as will be described below, the helmet shell 100A is strong enough to support a cooling or air movement mechanism 108, e.g. eg, typically a fan or the like. Typically, the helmet shell 100A has a closed top surface 121.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, a separate filter holder 110 includes a plurality of radial ribs 103A extending upwardly therefrom, a fan cover 101A, and an opening 109A, as described above. The filter holder 110 is adapted for mounting on the upper surface 121 of the helmet shell 100A, so that the ribs 103A run radially outward from the longitudinal center of the helmet shell 100A toward its perimeter. A snap or friction fit joint between helmet shell 100A and filter holder 110 is contemplated.

An optional afterfilter 800 can be provided if desired. After filter 800 can be made of a material that is the same as filter 400 if desired. Alternatively, to achieve a different filtration characteristic (or to reduce costs), the afterfilter 800 may be made of a material such as felt or activated carbon, which is different from the material of the filter 400. Of course, it is possible to dispense with the after filter 800 or to use it exclusively if desired. It is possible to use a retention device 111 to attach the after filter 800 to the support structure 110 if so desired.

Filter 400, lens 200, and filter protector 500 are mounted to the other components in a similar manner as described with reference to the figures described above.

Referring here to Figure 6, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the headgear unit 10B is similar to the headgear unit 10 shown in

2 393 083 T3 Figure 1, except that it is possible to use the filter guard structure 350 instead of the cover 300.

In this embodiment, the structure 350 (also referred to as a hood or cap) can be attached to the lens 200 along the lower edge 206 by a zipper 206, as shown in the embodiment of Figures 1- 4, or by means of a snap-fit ​​connector with a slot or any other suitable arrangement.

Typically, cap 350 is made of polyethylene, polypropylene, synthetic fabric, or other suitable material.

As can be seen, cap 350 is configured to extend toward and below the wearer's shoulders, although the length of the cap can be selected if desired.

In the configuration shown in Figure 6, the cap 350 is configured to fit over and conform to the shoulders of the wearer. In this example, shaped cuts 352A and 352B are shown. However, it is possible to use any suitable shape or even grooves in the lower edges of the filter protector 350.

During operation, the components shown in the exploded views of Figures 3, 4 and / or 5 are assembled as described above. The headgear structure is brought into position by adjusting the headband 175. The head-mounted gear structure is then placed over the wearer's head by passing the cover 300 or protective cap 350 over the wearer's head. In this way, the headgear structure is ready for use by the wearer, who receives air through the gaps and filters. Filtered air is directed by fan 108 into the enclosed space created by filters, helmet screen, and deck. This creates a clean air environment near the wearer's face.

Therefore, a unique headgear system design and concept including an air filtration and control system has been shown and described. Although this description refers to a specific embodiment, it will be understood that those skilled in the art will be able to modify and / or vary the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Likewise, any such modification or variation is intended to be included within the scope of this description. It will be understood that the description herein is intended to be illustrative only and not limiting. The scope of the invention described herein is limited only by the appended claims.