PERSONAL APPAREL SUPPORT SYSTEM

Abstract: A personal apparel support system (10) including a lifting mechanism (12) having a cable (31) that extends from a support portion (30) positioned above the shoulders of the user. The cable (31) has at least one couterweight (32) attached to the cable (31) on one side of the support portion (30). The lifting mechanism (12) is attached to and supported by a lateral maneuvering device (14) that preferably includes a base (50) with a plurality of rollers (51) attached thereto. A link (13) interconnects the cable (31) to an item of personal apparel (11), such as a radiology apron (20). A steering handle (70) is slidaby mounted on the main mast (40) of the support system (10) to steer and move the support system (10) by the health care provider wearing the personal apparel (20) attached thereto.

Description: PERSONAL APPAREL SUPPORT SYSTEM Description Technical Field The present invention relates generally to personal apparel support systems, and more particularly to a personal support system for radiation protective apparel worn by health care providers. Background of the Invention It is known that physicians and other health care providers are frequently required to wear protective apparel, such as lead aprons, in order to protect themselves against stray radiation that is unavoidably emitted from x-ray machines and fluoroscopes. In many cases, physicians and other health care providers are subjected to stray radiation during the entire working day, which when integrated over a long period of time is dangerous to health. To protect themselves against radiation, it is customary for health care providers to wear lead aprons, often for many hours at a time. Over the long term with the constant weight of these lead aprons, back problems develop to such a serious extent that some physicians can no longer practice radiology in suite. U.S. Patent 4,254,341 to Herr, et al. responds to this problem by providing a radiation protection device in which a lead apron is suspended on a spring from a carriage rolling in a track system that is secured to a ceiling in a room in which the radiation apparatus is located. While the Herr, et al. support system appears to provide an apron wearer with a considerable degree of lateral movement, the device suffers from the considerable disadvantage of requiring a separate device mounted in each room where the physician may be working. Furthermore, Herr, et al. suffers from the disadvantage of having a rather cumbersome means of adjusting their support system to accommodate persons with different heights. In particular, two separate vertically oriented belt-like straps must be adjusted separately in order to position the lead apron at a specific height for a given person. The Herr, et al. adjustment system can therefore result in a left to right imbalance if the straps are not adjusted to have identical lengths. Furthermore, the cumbersome adjustment means of Herr, et al. has the additional disadvantage in that two or more adjustment iterations may be necessary in order to provide adequate support for two different persons using the device. Summary of the Invention The foregoing problems are solved and a technical advance is achieved in an illustrative embodiment of a personal apparel support system of the present invention including a lifting mechanism that includes a retractable cable that extends from a support portion which is positioned above the shoulders of a person. The retractable cable maintains a pre-determined tension that is substantially independent of an amount of the retractable cable that extends below the support portion when an item of apparel is attached to the retractable cable. In another embodiment of the present invention, a personal apparel support system includes a radiology apron that has a radiation protective material and is sized to be worn by a person. A lifting mechanism includes a cable that extends from a support portion that is positioned above the radiology apron. The cable has at least one counterweight attached to the cable on one side of the support portion. A link has one end attached to the radiology apron and an other end attached to the cable on an opposite side of the support portion. A lateral maneuvering device is attached to the lifting mechanism and includes a base with a plurality of rollers attached thereto. The rollers are provided for making contact with a floor. In another aspect, the retractable cable can be connected to a weight balancer that can be extended from the lifting mechanism or to a stationary mounting surface such as a ceiling or an arm extending from a wall. In still another embodiment of the present invention, a link is provided for interconnecting a radiology apron having a pair of shoulder portions with a personal apparel support system. The link includes a first V-shaped shoulder bracket having an extension sized to be positioned under part of one of the shoulder portions of the radiology apron. In addition, a second V-shaped shoulder bracket has an extension sized to be positioned under part of the other one of the shoulder portions of the radiology apron. One object of the present invention is to provide a personal apparel support system that can accommodate a person of virtually any height without adjustments being necessary. Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal apparel support system that can accommodate different radiology shields having different weights without changing the performance of the device. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a personal apparel support system that can easily be moved to different locations within a health care institution. Another object of the present invention is to provide a personal apparel support system that allows a user to choose a desirable amount of support force to suit their individual comfort and needs. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved personal apparel support system. Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a personal apparel support system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the personal apparel support system of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a sectioned top view of the personal apparel support system of FIG. 1 as viewed along section line 3-3; FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned side view of the upper portion of the personal apparel support system of FIGs. 1 and 2 as viewed along section line 4-4 of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is an isometric view of area 5 of FIG. 1 with portions of the mast removed to reveal inner detail of the lifting mechanism; FIG. 6 is a partial side sectioned view of the shoulder portion of a radiology apron according to one aspect of the present invention and as viewed along section line 5-5 of FIG. 2; FIG. 7 depicts a partially sectioned side view of another embodiment of the lifting mechanism and the lateral maneuvering device of the personal apparel support system of the present invention; and FIG. 8 depicts a pictorial view of another aspect of the personal apparel support system of FIG. 1 as including a steering handle. Detailed Description Referring now to FIGs. 1 and 2, a personal apparel support system 1 0 includes a lifting mechanism 1 2 attached to and supported by a lateral maneuvering device 14. Support system 1 0 also includes a link 1 3 that serves as the means by which an item of personal apparel, such as a radiology shield 1 1 is supported by lifting mechanism 1 2. In this case, radiology shield 1 1 is a radiology apron 20 having a pair of arm openings 21 , a belt 22, shoulder portions 25 and an amount of radiation protective material 24, such as lead, enclosed within. Lifting mechanism 1 2 includes a retractable cable 31 that extends from a support portion 30, which is positioned at a height above the shoulders of a person wearing radiology apron 20. Support portion 30 of lifting mechanism 1 2 is attached to an upper mast portion 39, which in turn is attached to a main mast 40. Main mast 40 is preferably tilted away from a vertical line 55 in a direction 56 so that the person wearing radiology apron 20 can move without bumping against mast 40. In the preferred embodiment shown, mast tilt angle 57 is preferably 6.5 ° , although a range of 0° to 60° is contemplated. Main mast 40 and upper mast portion 39 are preferably manufactured from a commercially available grade of 2" square aluminum tubing. Corner braces 37 and 38 serve as both the means of strengthening the connection between the lifting mechanism components, but also as support means for pulleys 35 and 36. A portion of retractable cable 31 passes over pulleys 35 and 36 and is positioned within the aluminum tubing with an unseen end attached to a sliding counterweight holder 33 (see FIG. 5). By positioning any desired amount of additional counterweights 34 on pin 44 of counterweight holder 33, a pre-determined tension can be maintained in retractable cable 31 that is substantially independent of an amount or the length of the cable that extends below support portion 30 when radiology apron 20 is attached thereto. End 42 of main mast 40 is attached to and supported by lateral maneuvering device 1 4. Lateral maneuvering device 14 permits movement of lifting mechanism 1 2 in a plane substantially perpendicular to gravity. In other words, lateral maneuvering device 1 4 allows personal apparel support system 1 0 to be moved about on any horizontal surface, such as a floor 58. Lateral maneuvering device 1 4 includes a base 50 having a plurality of rollers 51 , in this case five, attached thereto. Referring to FIG. 3, base 50 is generally U-shaped with the five rollers attached at corner and end locations 52. Base 50 is preferably formed from welded steel tubing and includes a pair of pins 53 that extend vertically upward for retaining additional counterweights 34. A person using support system 1 0 typically stands within U-shaped base 50 and faces in direction 56 away from tilted main mast 40. Rollers 51 are preferably, commercially available swivel type caster wheels, although a combination of stationary and swivel type caster wheels are also contemplated. FIG. 7 depicts a partially sectioned view of another embodiment of lifting mechanism 1 2 and lateral maneuvering device 14 of personal apparel support system 1 0 of the present invention. Lateral maneuvering device 14 includes rectangular- shaped track 66 that is attached to a stationary horizontal surface 74 such as a ceiling or the undersurface of an arm extending from a vertical wall. It is contemplated that the track can be attached to a ceiling or arm structure in any desired configuration or combination to allow a person to move to any position, for example, in a room. The rectangular-shaped hollow track is commercially available with a slit extending longitudinally therealong through one wall of the hollow tube. The lateral maneuvering device also includes a carriage positioned in the track with pin 79 extending therefrom and through the slit. The combination of the track and carriage is commonly referred to and commercially available as a linear bearing. The track and carriage form lateral maneuvering device 1 4, which permits lateral movement of lifting mechanism 1 2. Support portion 30 in the embodiment of Fig 7 includes an attachment mechanism 69 with pivotal member 75 extending from the bottom thereof. The top of the attachment mechanism is connected to pin 79 of the lateral maneuvering device. Lifting mechanism 1 2 in the embodiment of FIG. 7 includes a well-known and commercially available weight balancer 68 with retractable cable 31 extending therefrom. The weight balancer is attached to pivotal member 75. This weight balancer is commercially available as the ECONOLINE™ tool balancer from Hubbell Workplace Solutions, Mayville, Wisconsin, with a predetermined tension range of, for example, 10 to 1 5 lbs. Load or tension ranges vary from 3 to 7 lbs to 1 6 to 23 lbs on a commercial basis. These load or tension ranges can be extended upward to facilitate personal apparel of 80 lbs or more. Retractable cable 31 extends downwardly therefrom and is connectable to link 1 3. FIGs. 4 and 5 depict selected views of the embodiment of FIGs. 1 and 2, and, in particular, the working structure of lifting mechanism 1 2. Retractable cable 31 is preferably, commercially available 1 /8" type 302 aircraft cable with loops formed on each end that are positioned on opposite sides of support portion 30. One of the loops attaches to link 1 3, whereas the opposite loop attaches to a counterweight 32 made up of a plurality of steel plates that are positioned to slide within main mast 40. In order to prevent counterweight 32 from binding when sliding within main mast 40, nylon rollers 43 are attached on each end of counterweight 32. Counterweight holder 33 is attached to counterweight 32 and is slidably received in a guide slot 41 cut into a portion of main mast 40. Counterweight holder 33 includes a guide pin 44 that is received in the apertures of additional counterweights 34 and prevents the same from falling off of holder 33 in case support system 1 0 is jostled. The intermediate portions of retractable cable 31 pass over grooved pulleys 35 and 36 and allow the cable to move relatively freely in either the direction of link 1 3 or counterweight holder 33. On the opposite side of support portion 30 relative to counterweight 32, link 1 3 is attached to retractable cable 31 . Link 1 3 includes a chain link 60 that interconnects the end loop in retractable cable 31 to an apron hanger 61 . Apron hanger 61 is preferably made from 1 /4" diameter stainless steel rod and formed to include a central eye portion that is attached to chain link 60 and a pair of outwardly extending arms 65 that each terminate in an eye or hook. A pair of shoulder cables 62, with loops formed on each end, are attached to and hang down from the arms 65 of apron hanger 61 . Shoulder cables 62 are preferably made from 1 /1 6" type 302 aircraft cable. Finally, link 1 3 includes a pair of V-shaped shoulder brackets 63 that are preferably formed from 1 /4" diameter stainless steel rod to include eye portions on each end. When attached to shoulder cables 62, shoulder brackets 63 are preferably balanced so that extensions 64 hang in a substantially horizontal orientation. Extensions 64 can be readily positioned under the shoulder portions of virtually any available radiology apron, or sewn into the shoulder portions of a radiology apron as shown in FIGs. 1 , 2 and 6 of the preferred embodiment. Referring now to FIGs. 2 and 6, a radiology apron 20 according to the preferred embodiment includes an outer surface of nylon fabric 28 that encloses a radiation protective material 24, such as lead sheeting, and is bound thereto with appropriate stitching. End joints are further strengthened by stitching in a nylon binding 26 at the ends of radiation protective material 24. Further support is provided on the underside of shoulder portion 25 by stitching a seat belt webbing 27 around each extension 64 of V-shaped shoulder brackets 63. In the preferred embodiment, an appropriate number of additional counterweights 34 are added to counterweight holder 33 so that the tension in retractable cable 31 is about equal to the weight of radiology apron 20. Additional counterweights can be added to counterweight holder 33 so that there is a net upward force acting through retractable cable 31 on a person wearing radiology apron 20. On the other hand, a particular physician or health care provider may prefer less upward force than the weight of the radiology apron. The present invention can accommodate any of these alternatives. In addition, because the predetermined tension in retractable cable 31 is a direct function of the weight of radiology apron 20 and the amount of counterweight acting on the opposite side of support portion 30, no cumbersome adjustments are necessary in order to adjust support system 10 to accommodate persons having different heights, other than having to provide more or less cable. FIG. 8 depicts a pictorial view of another aspect of the personal apparel support system of FIG. 1 as including a steering handle 70. The steering handle is disposed on main mast 40 with the aid of slidable bracket 71 and threaded knob 73 for fixing the vertical position of the steering handle along main mast 40. This slidable positioning conveniently permits the physician to adjust the vertical height of the handle so as to facilitate easy movement and directional control of the personal apparel support system 10. Slidable bracket 71 also includes a swivel mount 72 with travel limiting slot 76 formed therein. Pin 77 extends from the middle portion of the handle and in the travel limiting slot to facilitate movement of the handle from a horizontal position to a vertical position as depicted by the phantom lines. When in the vertical position, the steering handle does not interfere with the arm movement of the physician or health care provider. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above description is intended for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. For instance, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other lifting mechanisms could be provided that utilize some other means, such as motors and sensors in order to maintain a pre-determined tension in the cable. Furthermore, while the lateral maneuvering device of the present invention has been illustrated as a base having rollers in contact with the floor, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention could be mounted on a moveable track to the ceiling of a particular room without altering the underlying concepts of the present invention. Furthermore, other enhancements, such as friction brakes, etc. may be incorporated into the personal apparel support system to further enhance the comfort of the system to some users. By way of another example, static electricity or charge grounding chain 78 can be attached to base 50 to eliminate static charge buildup. In any event, the scope of the present invention should be determined in terms of the claims as set forth below.

Claims: Claims 1 . A personal apparel support system (10) including a lifting mechanism (1 2) including a retractable cable (31 ) that extends from a support portion (30) positioned above the shoulders of a person, characterized in that said retractable cable (31 ) maintains a predetermined tension that is substantially independent of the amount or the length of said retractable cable (31 ) that extends below said support portion (30) when an item of apparel is attached to said retractable cable (31 ). 2. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 1 characterized in that the support system (10) further includes a lateral maneuvering device ( 1 4) that is attached to and supports said lifting mechanism (1 2), and in that said lateral maneuvering device (1 4) permits movement of said support portion (30) of said lifting mechanism (1 2). 3. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 2 characterized in that said lateral maneuvering device (14) includes a base (50) with a plurality of rollers (51 ) attached thereto. 4. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 3 characterized in that said lifting mechanism (1 2) includes a mast (40) with one end (42) attached to said base (50) and an upper portion (39) attached to said support portion (30). 5. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 4 characterized in that said lifting mechanism (1 2) further includes a counterweight holder (33) attached to said retractable cable (31 ) on one side of said support portion (30), and in that said counterweight holder (33) is slidably mounted on said mast (40). 6. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 5 characterized in that the support system (10) further includes a link (1 3) attached to said retractable cable (31 ) on an opposite side of said support portion (30) relative to said counterweight holder (33); and in that a radiology shield ( 1 1 ) is attached to said link ( 1 3), includes a radiation protective material, and is sized to substantially cover the chest of a person. 7. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 6 characterized in that said radiology shield ( 1 1 ) is a radiology apron (20) with a pair of shoulder portions (25); and in that said link includes at least one shoulder bracket (63) with extensions (64) positioned under part of said shoulder portions (25) of said radiology apron (20). 8. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 7 characterized in that said link further includes an apron hanger (61 ) and a pair of shoulder cables (62), and in that each of said shoulder cables (62) has one end attached to said apron hanger (61 ) and an opposite end attached to said at least one shoulder bracket (63). 9. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 5 characterized in that said base (50) of said lateral maneuvering device (14) includes a counterweight retaining pin (53). 10. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 2 characterized in that the support system ( 10) further includes a steering handle (70) disposed on said lifting mechanism (1 2). 1 1 . The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 1 characterized in that said lifting mechanism (1 2) includes at least one counterweight (32) attached to said retractable cable on one side of said support portion (30). 1 2. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 1 characterized in that said lateral maneuvering device (1 4) includes a track (66) and a carriage (67) disposed on said track (66). 1 3. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 1 characterized in that said lifting mechanism (1 2) includes a weight balancer (68) with said retractable cable (31 ) extending therefrom and in that said support portion (30) includes an attachment mechanism (69) and a pivotal member (75) interconnecting said lateral maneuvering device (14) and said weight balancer (68). 1 4. A personal apparel support system ( 1 0) including: a radiology apron (20) that includes a radiation protective material (24) and is sized to be worn by a person; a lifting mechanism (1 2) including a cable (31 ) that extends from support portion (30) positioned above said radiology apron (20), and said cable (31 ) having at least one counterweight (32) attached to said cable (31 ) on one side of said support portion (30); a link (1 3) with one end attached to said radiology apron (20) and an other end attached to said cable (31 ) on an opposite side of said support portion (30); and a lateral maneuvering device (14) attached to said lifting mechanism (1 2) and including a base (50) with a plurality of rollers (51 ) attached thereto. 1 5. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 14 wherein said lifting mechanism (1 2) includes a mast (40) with one end (42) attached to said base (50) and an upper portion (39) attached to said support portion (30). 1 6. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 1 5 wherein said lifting mechanism (1 2) further includes a counterweight holder (33) attached to said cable (31 ) on one side of said support portion (30), said counterweight holder (33) is slidably mounted on said mast (40), and said support portion (30) of said lifting mechanism ( 1 2) includes a pulley (35). 1 7. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 14 wherein said radiology apron (20) has a weight; and said at least one counterweight (32) is about equal to said weight. 1 8. The personal apparel support system (10) of claim 14 wherein said radiology apron (20) includes shoulder portions (25); and said link includes at least one shoulder bracket (63) with extensions (64) positioned under part of said shoulder portions (25) of said radiology apron (20), and further includes an apron hanger (61 ) and a pair of shoulder cables (62), and each of said shoulder cables (62) has one end attached to said apron hanger (61 ) and an opposite end attached to said at least one shoulder bracket (63). 1 9. A link (1 3) for interconnecting a radiology apron (20) having a pair of shoulder portions (25) with a personal apparel support system (1 0) of claim 1 characterized in that the link includes a first V-shaped shoulder bracket (63) having an extension (64) that is sized to be positioned under part of one of said shoulder portions (25) of said radiology apron and further includes a second V-shaped shoulder bracket (63) having an extension (64) that is sized to be positioned under part of the other one of said shoulder portions (25) of said radiology apron. 20. The link of claim 1 9 characterized in that the link further includes an apron hanger (61 ) with a pair of arms (65); and in that each of said first V-shaped shoulder bracket (63) and said second V-shaped shoulder bracket (63) is attached to a different one of said pair of arms (65).

Inventors: BOBBIE BILL A, FUNG KARL, ONDEJKO SUSAN, PINKERTON CASS A, WHITFORD WESLEY G, BOBBIE, BILL, A., FUNG, KARL, ONDEJKO, SUSAN, PINKERTON, CASS, A., WHITFORD, WESLEY, G.
Applicants: COOK CANADA INC, PINKERTON CASS A, COOK (CANADA) INC., PINKERTON, CASS, A.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A61B6
IPC codes: A61B6, A61G7, G21F3