Protective ensemble

A protective bodysuit comprises a body portion and a hood portion that are selectively securable together via a zipper along a sealing interface. The body portion and the hood portion are constructed of a material for protecting a wearer against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and/or fire hazards. Additionally, the protective bodysuit comprises a sealing apparatus that is removably coupled between opposing ends of the zipper to provide a complete seal between the hood portion and the body portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a result of recent terrorist attacks, there has been a heightened concern for the protection of first-response personnel. When entering these disaster sites, first-response personnel may be presented with both fire hazards and biological and chemical hazards. These biological and chemical hazards may come in the form of chemical warfare agents or as a result of the devastation of a disaster area. For example, at the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City on Sep. 11, 2001, the combination of the intense heat from the fires and the collapsing of the two 110-story buildings increased the likelihood of an asbestos contamination.

First-response personnel protective gear currently comes as firefighter suits or fully encapsulated chemical protective suits. Firefighter suits do not satisfy the aforementioned dangers because they lack the protection from biological and chemical hazards. Fully encapsulated chemical protective suits do not satisfy the aforementioned dangers because they lack protection from fire hazards. Chemical protective suits are also bulky, which minimizes a first-responder's ability to assist those in need.

Military personnel also lack proper protection during military missions from attacks involving biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and fire hazards. Like first-response personnel, mobility may be crucial in escaping from such hazards to save their lives and the lives of others. In current chemical protective suits, military personnel need to concern themselves with sudden and sharp movements that may tear their suits, thus eliminating their protective purpose.

Improvements to first-response protective gear are desirable to alleviate these and other drawbacks. Accordingly, new first-response protective gear are provided.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates generally to headgear and/or a bodysuit for first-response personnel, like firefighters, who rush into biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and fire hazard areas immediately after such events occur. In particular, one embodiment of the disclosure relates to a hood, such as a balaclava-shaped hood integrated with a protective mask, that may provide biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and fire protection to first-response personnel.

The hood may be balaclava-shaped and may include distinct layers of protection from the different hazards faced by a first-response personnel. An inner layer may be comprised of a stretchable fabric. A middle layer may be comprised of carbon spheres which absorb a biological or chemical agent and may provide an adsorptive barrier to chemicals before it reaches the inner layer. Alternatively, the middle layer may be comprised of a blocking agent that blocks transmission of biological or chemical agents through the layer. An outer layer may be comprised of a fiber-product that has flame-resistant properties. An example of such a product is Dupont's NOMEX®.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the principles of the present disclosure may be used to construct different apparel, such as, but not limited to, a shirt, pair of pants, glove, sock, jacket, hat, and blanket.

For example, another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a bodysuit for protecting first-response personnel from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and fire hazards. Such a bodysuit may include a body portion and a hood portion, which may otherwise be referred to as a frill. The bodysuit may or may not be constructed of the aforementioned multi-layered material, nut nonetheless provides the aforementioned protections. In one embodiment, the hood portion is releasably sealed and secured to the body portion with a fluid-tight zipper assembly or other such user-manipulable securing and sealing device. Additionally, a supplemental sealing apparatus is provided between the abutting zipper ends to complete the seal. For example, upon closure of the zipper assembly, a slight opening may exist between an end of the zipper tape and the slider of the zipper assembly. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the supplemental sealing apparatus comprises a stem and a pair of opposing circular clam shells. The stem is disposed within the opening in the zipper and the clam shells are secured to the stem. The stem compresses circumferential portions of the opposing clam shells together about the opening to thereby seal the opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Current outerwear worn by first-response personnel, such as firefighters, is designed to protect them from heat, flame, and impact injuries. These first-responders, however, do not have adequate protection from the biological and chemical hazards that may also be present at the fire or disaster site. At present, the only protection from biological and chemical hazards are fully encapsulated biohazard suits, such as suit102shown inFIG. 1. These suits, however, may not be practical for disaster applications because: (1) they are vulnerable to flames and intense heat; and (2) they may not provide first-responders with the necessary protection against impact injuries. This is problematic, particularly in view of recent terrorist attacks in which materials, such as asbestos, may be present. Thus, a need has arisen for additional protection, such as from chemical hazards, when first-responders approach disaster sites.

FIG. 1shows an illustration of a known fully encapsulated chemical protective suit102. Fully encapsulated suit102may be comprised of hood104, mask106, gloves108, and boots110. Openings, or interfaces, that may exist between the different parts of suit102may be protected from chemicals by, for example, using sealing tape. Interface105between hood104and mask106may be sealed with tape or alternatively cinched to effect a seal. Fully encapsulated suit102, however, may be ineffective for first-response personnel because it is likely to be more vulnerable to hazards associated with firefighting, such as flames, intense heat and impact injuries than traditional firefighting gear. Moreover, fully encapsulated suit102may not provide first-responders with the dexterity necessary to sufficiently deal with the chaos that is often found in disaster areas because of its bulk and operating limitations.

One area of the body that may be particularly susceptible to biological and chemical hazards is the cranial, or head region. While this region is likely the most critical for cutaneous protection, it is also the most difficult to efficiently and effectively protect because it is the most dynamic for the personnel responding to the fire or disaster area in terms of the relative movement of the torso, head, and neck.

FIG. 2shows an illustration of firefighter outerwear202presently used for protection of emergency personnel. Firefighter outerwear202may include mask204and coat collar206. Interface208between mask204and coat collar206may be sealed using sealing tape to protect parts of the body exposed at this interface.

In addition to sealing interface208with sealing tape, one might seal interface208with a zipper, buttons, by sewing, or other sealing means. Each of these sealing means is ineffective because openings, even if these openings are small, exist and leave first-response personnel susceptible to biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and even possibly fire hazards.

FIG. 3shows an illustration of firefighter under-garments302that are presently used for protection by firefighters. Under-garments302are often used in conjunction with outerwear202. Firefighter undergarments302may include flame-resistant hood304to further protect the body, especially in areas left fully or partially exposed by outerwear202, and especially by interface208. Despite using flame-resistant hood304, mask204, coat collar206and sealing tape, a firefighter may still be vulnerable to biological and chemical hazards because the safeguards shown inFIGS. 2 and 3are not designed to protect these personnel from such hazards.

One embodiment relates to a hood that provides first-response personnel with protection from biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and fire hazards in the cranial region.FIGS. 4 and 5ashow illustrations of a balaclava-shaped hood400including frontal view402and profile view504, respectively. The balaclava-shaped hood, when integrated with a protective mask, provides covering and protection to the head, face, neck and parts of the chest, back, and shoulders while still allowing openings for the personnel to breathe and see.

FIG. 5bshows illustrative profile view504of a balaclava-shaped hood400integrated with protective mask506. Protective mask506may include mask lens508, lens frame510, and straps512. Protective mask506may provide first-response personnel with protection from biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and fire hazards. Openings, or interfaces, that may exist between balaclava-shaped hood400and protective mask506may be protected from biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and fire hazards by, for example, using sealing tape. Interface514between mask508and hood400may be cinched to create a seal, sealed with tape, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, zippers, by sewing, or other sealing means.

FIG. 6shows an illustrative cross-sectional view of the composition600of hood400constructed in accordance with the present invention that provides protection from biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and fire hazards. Hood400may be balaclava-shaped and may include inner layer602, middle layer606and outer layer608. Inner layer602may be flush with body604(i.e., the body of the first-response personnel) and may be comprised of a stretchable fabric. Middle layer606may be adhered to inner layer602and outer layer608. Middle layer606may provide an adsorptive barrier to chemicals, such as tenor agent, Mustard gas, or other such agents. The adsorptive barrier in this layer may be comprised of carbon spheres which absorb the chemical agent before it reaches inner layer602. Alternatively, the middle layer may be comprised of a blocking agent, such as gas tight sheets including Teflon (PTFE—polytetrafluoroethylene), PFA (perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin), or other such barrier polymers, films, or foils. Moreover, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that layer606may be formed from one or more individual layers, such as a combination of a layer of carbon spheres and a layer of a blocking agent. Outer layer608may be adhered to middle layer606and should be comprised of a fiber-product that has flame-resistant properties. An example of such a product is Dupont's NOMEX®.

In accordance with the principles disclosed herein, the use of at least two active layers in the fabric—i.e., the middle layer providing protection from bio-chemical hazards, with the outer, fire hazard protective layer—provide emergency personnel with a level of protection that was previously unavailable. Moreover, the composition600provides such protection without significantly compromising movement. The combination of the three layers described above in a hood, for example, provide the cranial region with protection against biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and fire hazards.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the composition600may be applicable to protecting other portions of the body instead of, or in addition to, the cranial region. For example, gloves may be constructed in accordance with the present invention having the three-layer structure described above (including the use of at least two active layers) that provide protection from biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and fire hazards simultaneously, while minimizing the negative impact on manual dexterity. Alternatively, the composition600may also be applied to foot under-garments as a replacement for, or in addition to, socks. Moreover, the composition600may also be applied to non-garment applications, such as blankets, that may be used by first-response personnel to cover and protect victims of such disasters as they are evacuated from the site.

As mentioned above,FIG. 7depicts an alternative protective garment constructed according to the principles of the present invention and comprising a bodysuit700. The bodysuit700generally comprises a body portion702and a hood portion704, which may also be referred to as a frill. In one embodiment, the bodysuit700may be constructed of the multi-layered composition600depicted and described with reference toFIG. 6above. In another embodiment, the bodysuit700is constructed of GORE™ CHEMPACK® Ultra Barrier fabric, which is commercially available from W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Elkton, Md., USA. In further alternative embodiments, however, the bodysuit700may be constructed of any material or combination of materials equipped to provide protection against biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and/or fire hazards.

As depicted, the bodysuit700is equipped with a breathing apparatus706, such as a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), a combined SCBA and powered air-purifying apparatus (PAPR), or any other type of breathing apparatus. In one embodiment, the breathing apparatus comprises the Interspiro Spiromatic S3 and/or S5 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which are commercially available from Interspiro of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., USA. The breathing apparatus706more particularly comprises a mask708and a delivery line710. The mask708is integrated with the hood portion704of the bodysuit700. More specifically, in one embodiment, the hood portion704of the bodysuit700comprises a rubber membrane insert (not shown) that stretches over at least the lens of the mask708to provide a fluid-tight seal. The delivery line710fluidly couples the mask708, and therefore, the hood portion704, to a source of breathable air, which may, as mentioned above, comprise an SCBA, a combined SCBA and PAPR apparatus, or any other source of breathable air.

The body portion702of the bodysuit700is constructed as a single component having pant legs712, arm sleeves714, and torso region716. Any seams inherent to the construction of the body portion702and/or the hood portion704are preferably stitched and sealed with a sealing tape or other known device. Additionally, in the depicted embodiment, the body portion702comprises integral booties718and gloves720. In one embodiment, the pant legs712are also provided with an integral boot splash flap (not shown). The booties718comprise integral extensions of the pant legs712and are adapted to accommodate a wearer's feet. In one embodiment, the wearer would also wear external boots, such as rubber boots, over the booties718, for added protection against biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and/or fire hazards, as well as rough terrain, debris, and physical harm.

Similar to the booties718, one embodiment of the gloves720are integral extensions of the arm sleeves714of the bodysuit700. In an alternative embodiment, however, the gloves720may be mechanically connected to the bodysuit700via a hard PVC glove ring and one or more rubber o-rings. In such a case, the arm sleeves714may further comprise rubber cuffs, or wrist seals, for providing a seal between the glove ring and one or more of the o-rings. The wearer may also wear additional gloves such as rubber, or fire-proof gloves, over the integral gloves720, for added protection. In one embodiment, the additional outer gloves may preferably be constructed of NOMEX® and have a knit back and leather palm for comfort and function. The booties718and gloves720may be constructed of the same material or different material than the rest of the body portion702of the bodysuit700. In either construction, both the booties718and gloves720are constructed of a material that is adapted to protect the wearer from biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and/or fire hazards. Additionally, in the event that the booties718and/or gloves720are constructed of a material different than the body portion702of the bodysuit700, any seam between them and the bodysuit700are effectively sealed against penetration by biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, and/or fire hazards with stitching and a sealing tape, or any other known device.

As is further depicted inFIG. 7, the body portion702of the bodysuit700comprises an entry opening722. The entry opening722is provided adjacent a shoulder region of the body portion702of the bodysuit700and enables a user to don the body portion702. For example, the entry opening is sufficiently sized to enable first-response personnel to insert his/her body, up to the shoulders, into the body portion702. Immediately adjacent the entry opening722, the body portion702includes a first strip of zipper tape724comprising a first plurality of zipper teeth726. The first zipper tape724and zipper teeth726are depicted inFIG. 8. The first zipper tape724and zipper teeth726are adapted to be releasably secured to a corresponding second strip of zipper tape728and a second plurality of zipper teeth730, which are disposed along an opening723(shown inFIG. 7) of the hood portion704of the bodysuit700to removably secure the hood portion704to the body portion702. To effectuate this securement, the hood portion704also includes a zipper slider732(shown inFIGS. 8 and 11) disposed on the second zipper tape728. In a preferred embodiment of the bodysuit700, the zipper tapes724,728, the teeth726,730, and the slider732cooperatively define a vapor-tight zipper assembly. In another embodiment, the body portion702further comprises a zipper splash flap (not shown) for extending over the secured vapor-tight zipper and hooking onto the hood with a hook and loop closure mechanism (not shown) to prevent materials from splashing directly onto the zipper components.

While donning the bodysuit700, a user or other individual aligns the first and second zipper tapes724,728and manipulates the slider732from one end of the zipper tapes724,728to an opposite end of the zipper tapes724,728, in a known manner. This engages the corresponding first and second zipper teeth726,730, thereby securing the hood portion704to the body portion702. With known zipper assemblies, however, the inherent design of the slider732and zipper tapes724,728leaves a small opening734(shown inFIG. 8) between the nearly abutting ends of the zipper tapes724,728. This opening734may allow materials, gases, etc. to pass into and/or out of the bodysuit700.

Therefore, a sealing apparatus800is provided on the bodysuit700, as depicted inFIG. 9and described further with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11. Generally, with reference toFIG. 10, the sealing apparatus800comprises an inner shell802, an outer shell804, a gasket806, a locking stem808, and a knob810. The locking stem808is fixed to the inner shell802. The gasket806is fixed to the outer shell804. Additional aspects of the sealing apparatus800will be described in further detail below.

During operation, the inner shell802is disposed within the bodysuit700adjacent the zipper tapes724,728such that the locking stem808extends outward through the opening734defined between the ends of the zipper tapes724,728and the slider732, as depicted inFIG. 8. The outer shell804is then disposed on the locking stem808such that an end-most portion of the locking stem808passes through an aperture812(shown inFIG. 11) in the outer shell804. Finally, the knob810is attached to the locking stem808such that the knob810and locking stem808compress the gasket806, zipper tapes724,728, and adjacent aspects of the body and hood portions702,704of the bodysuit700between the inner and outer shells802,804, as depicted inFIGS. 9 and 11. This compression seals the opening734off from the atmosphere, thereby preventing any materials, gases, etc. from passing into ad/or out of the opening734in the bodysuit700.

As stated, the sealing apparatus800generally comprises the inner shell802, the outer shell804, the gasket806, the locking stem808, and the knob810. Additionally, the sealing apparatus800comprises a rubber washer814and a threaded insert816, as depicted inFIGS. 10 and 11.

The inner shell802is a generally rigid, plastic component comprising an outer ring portion802aand a central portion802b. As shown inFIG. 11, the central portion802is generally frustoconical and includes a cylindrical boss818, which defines a bore818a. Similarly, the outer shell804is a generally rigid, plastic component comprising an outer ring portion804aand a central portion804b. The central portion804bof the outer shell804is also generally frustoconical and defines the aperture812, as mentioned above. The outer ring portion804aof the outer shell804defines a circular recess805, which has a generally rectangular cross-section.

The gasket806comprises a rubber gasket and is sized and dimensioned to be disposed in the recess805in the outer shell804. In one embodiment, the gasket806may be fixed within the recess805with an adhesive such as a cyanoacrylate adhesive or Loctite®, which is commercially available from the Henkel Corp, of Rocky Hill, Conn., USA. In other embodiments, the gasket806may be fixed within the recess805with mere friction. The rubber washer814is disposed on the locking stem808adjacent to the aperture812in the outer shell804, as depicted inFIG. 11. In one embodiment, the rubber washer814may be fixed to the outer shell804with an adhesive such as a cyanoacrylate adhesive or Loctite®.

The locking stem808comprises an elongated metal rod having a reduced diameter portion808aand a head portion808b. The reduced diameter portion808ais solid. The head portion808bis hollow and defines a pair of locking slots811. As shown inFIG. 10, the locking slots811of the disclosed embodiment are generally J-shaped comprising a first entry portion811a, a transition portion811b, and a locking portion811c. In an alternative embodiment, the locking stem808may be wholly solid and the locking slots811may comprise recesses in the head portion808b. The operation of the locking slots811will be described below.

The threaded insert816comprises a generally cylindrical member adapted to couple the locking stem808to the inner shell802. More specifically, the disclosed threaded insert816is adapted to receive the reduced diameter portion808aof the locking stem808, as depicted inFIG. 11, for example. In one embodiment, the threaded insert816is adhered to the reduced diameter portion808awith an adhesive such as a cyanoacrylate adhesive or Loctite. Moreover, as is depicted inFIG. 10, for example, the threaded insert816includes an outer threaded surface816a. Accordingly, the threaded insert816is threadably disposed within the bore818adefined by the cylindrical boss818formed on the inner shell802, as depicted inFIG. 11. The outer threaded surface816atherefore engages the surface inside of the cylindrical bore818ato secure the threaded insert816within the cylindrical boss818, thereby securing the locking stem808to the inner shell802. In one embodiment, the threaded insert816is additionally or supplementally fixed within the cylindrical boss818via a sonic welding process. In another embodiment, the bore818ain the boss818may also include threads. In still another embodiment, the sealing apparatus800may not include the threaded insert816at all, but rather, the locking stem808may be secured directly within the bore818ain the inner shell802with an adhesive, or any other means.

As mentioned above, the sealing apparatus lastly comprises the knob810. The knob810, as depicted inFIGS. 10 and 11, generally comprises a central cylinder portion820and a hand-wheel822. The hand-wheel822is larger in diameter than the central cylinder portion820and includes a ribbed external surface for easy grasping by a user. The central cylinder portion820defines an inner cylindrical bore824for receiving the head portion808bof the locking stem808, as depicted inFIG. 11. Additionally, the central cylinder portion820of the knob810comprises a pair of locking pins826. The locking pins826extend radially inward from the surface of the inner cylindrical bore824. The locking pins826are adapted to slidingly engage the locking slots811formed in the head portion808bof the locking stem808.

For example, while assembling the sealing apparatus800onto the bodysuit700, as generally described above, a user first positions the inner shell802adjacent the opening734between the ends of the zipper tapes724,728such that the locking stem808extends therethrough, as depicted inFIG. 9. Next, the user positions the outer shell804onto the locking stem808, such that the head portion808bof the locking stem808extends through the aperture812of the outer shell804. Additionally, the rubber washer814, which is fixed to the outer shell804, frictionally engages locking stem808to provide a fluid-tight seal therebetween.

With the outer shell804so positioned, the knob810is positioned onto the head portion808bof the locking stem808such that the locking pins826corresponding slide into the entry portions811aof the locking slots811. As the user continues to push the knob810onto the locking stem808, the locking pins826slide passed the entry portions811aof the locking slots811, through the transition portions811b, and finally into the locking portions811c. As this occurs, the knob810rotates according to the angle of the transition portions811brelative to the entry portions811a, and then according to the angle of the locking portions811. Simultaneously, this action compresses the inner and outer shells802,804together and into the position depicted inFIG. 9. More particularly, this compresses the outer ring portions802a,804aof the inner and outer shells802,804, respectively, together.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 11, upon the locking pins826reaching the locking portions811cof the locking slots811, the central cylinder portion820of the knob810engages the outer shell804, thereby applying a force toward the inner shell802. Meanwhile, the locking pins826engage the locking portions811cof the locking slots811to apply a force to the locking stem808, and therefore the inner shell802, toward the outer shell804. To release the sealing apparatus800from the bodysuit700, the user simply grasps the knob810and rotates it relative to the outer shell804such that the pins disengage the locking portions811cof the locking slots811, slide up through the transition portions811b, and out passed the entry portions811asuch that the knob810disengages the locking stem808. Thereafter, the outer shell804may be removed from the locking stem808and the entire sealing apparatus800removed from the bodysuit700.

While the locking stem808has been described herein as comprising the locking slots811and the knob810comprising the locking pins826, an alternative embodiment may include the knob810comprising the locking slots811and the locking stem808comprising the locking pins826. In another embodiment, the sealing apparatus800may not include locking slots811and locking pins826at all, but rather, any other device capable of securing the inner and outer shells802,804together in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. For example, in one alternative embodiment, the knob810and the locking stem808may be releasably secured together with a threaded engagement, or a spring-detent device, or any other foreseeable device.

While the sealing apparatus800has been described thus far as being wholly independent of the bodysuit700, an alternative embodiment of the bodysuit700may provide for a securement device828that helps incorporate the sealing apparatus800to the bodysuit700For example,FIG. 11illustrates one embodiment of a securement device828that comprises a strap. The strap or securement device828illustrated inFIG. 11is fixedly attached to the bodysuit700and extends around the locking stem808of the sealing apparatus800, thereby ensuring that the sealing apparatus800is readily positioned to be secured adjacent the opening734formed between the ends of the zipper tapes724,728while a user is attaching the hood portion704to the body portion702. In one embodiment, the strap or securement device828may comprise an extension of one or both of the zipper tapes724,728.

It should be appreciated that the sealing apparatus800has been described herein as comprising multiple components secured to together by various means, it should be appreciated that various components may be formed integrally. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the locking stem808and the inner shell802may be constructed as a single, integral component via injection molding, casting, or some other manufacturing process.

Further, while the inner and outer shells802,804have been disclosed herein as including central portions802a,804athat are generally frustoconical, such central portions802a,804may be shaped in generally any manner capable of accomplishing the principles of the present disclosure. For example, in one alternative embodiment, the central portions802a,804aof the inner and outer shells802,804may be shaped as hollow hemispheres, or hollow cones.

Further yet, while the sealing apparatus800has been described herein as being applied to seal the opening734inherently present between nearly abutting ends of a zipper that attaches the hood portion704to the body portion702of the bodysuit700, the sealing apparatus800could be used to seal an opening between zipper ends connecting any two portions of an alternative bodysuit having other removable portions, or may even be used to simply seals tears, holes, or other defects in such a bodysuit.

Accordingly, in light of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure merely provides examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the examples that are disclosed herein, but rather, the invention is to be defined as anything that falls within the spirit and scope of the following claims.