Patent Number: 050158643
Section: description

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT The drawings illustrate a radiation shield composed of a metal supporting frame 1 that supports an upper lead apron 2 and a lower lead apron 3, as well as a lead-glass head piece 4. Frame 1 is composed of a pair of lower vertical tubular members 5 and a pair of upper rods 6, which are mounted for sliding or telescopic movement with respect to tubular members 5. Rods 6 can be locked with respect to tubular members 5 by set screws 7 that carry hand knobs 8. Through adjustment of rods 6 relative to lower tubular members 5, the frame 1 can be adjusted in height to accommodate the height of the user or operator. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a caster wheel 9 is mounted on the lower end of each tubular member 5. In addition, a generally L-shaped brace extends laterally from the lower end of each member 5 and carries a second caster wheel 11. Extending rearwardly from the lower end of each tubular member 5 is a rear brace 12 and the outer end of brace 12 is connected to the respective member 5 by diagonal brace 13. A third caster wheel 14 is mounted at the outer junction of braces 12 and 13. Caster wheels 9, 11 and 14 provide universal movement for frame 1 in all directions over the ground or terrain. Connected to the upper ends of rods 6 is a curved metal thrust bar 15. As shown in FIG. 3, thrust bar 15 extends forwardly from rods 6 and apron 2 rests against bar 15. A pair of generally curved thrust bar sections 16 are pivoted to the ends of bar 15. Each section 16 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 17 which is pivotally connected at pivot 18 to an upper frame member 19 that is secured to the respective ends of thrust bar 15, as seen in FIG. 3. Thrust bar sections 16 can be pivoted from a generally horizontal position, where they are coplanar with the forward thrust bar 15 to an upper generally vertical position, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 4. Suitable stops, not shown, are provided on to limit the downward pivotal movement of each section 16 and retain the section in the horizontal position. When sections 16 are in the horizontal position, sections 16 along with the forward thrust bar 15, provide a substantially circular enclosure, as shown in FIG. 3, which is adapted to encircle the waist of the user. When the sections 16 are pivoted upwardly to the vertical position, the user can enter or exit the enclosure. Bars 15 and 16 are cushioned or padded and in this regard a pad 21 formed of a soft or resilient material is secured to each of the bars 15 and 16, and a second pad 22 is secured to pad 21 via removable fasteners 23, such as a hook and loop (Velcro) fastening system. The use of the two pads 21 and 22 provides an adjustment to accommodate the waist size of the user. More specifically, if the user is relatively thin, both pads 21 and 22 can be employed, while if the user is relatively heavy the outer pad 22 can be removed. Each upper frame member 19 is provided with a curved upper end portion 25 which is adapted to accommodate the shoulders of the user. As best shown in FIG. 4, each frame member 24 is provided with an inwardly bent or offset portion 26 located beneath the curved upper end 25 and the offset portion 26 facilitates entry of the shoulders of the user into the frame. Apron 2 is of conventional construction and is composed of inner and outer layers of plastic or fabric material which enclose an inner liner of a radiation prevention material, such as lead. Apron 2 is provided with a front surface 27, and a pair of side surfaces 28 having arm holes 29, as seen in FIG. 5. The upper portions of the sides 28 are attached to the curved upper ends 25 of frame members 24 by removable hook and loop fasteners 30. In addition the rear vertical edges of sides 28 can be attached to frame members 19 through removable fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the upper edge of each side 28 is provided with a gusset-like slit 32 and a strap 33 is connected to the edges bordering the slit by a removable fastener system, such as hook and loop fasteners. By adjusting the width of slit 32, the size of the armhole 29 can be varied. It is also contemplated that a pair of shoulder flaps 34 can be attached to the frame to protect the shoulders of the user. As best seen in FIG. 2, shoulder flaps 34 are connected by a strip 35 and the upper edge of each shoulder flap 34 is connected to the portion of apron 2 which is mounted on the curved upper end 25 of frame members 19 by removable fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners 36. Shoulder flaps 34 and strip 35 are constructed similar to apron 2 and are composed of an inner liner of lead, or radiation prevention material, bordered by inner and outer layers of fabric or plastic material. Head piece 4 includes a rigid lead-glass window 37 and a lead flexible bib 38 is connected to the lower end of window 37 and extends laterally. The outer ends of bib portion 38 are connected to the upper surfaces of shoulder flaps 34 by removable fasteners preferably a Velcro fastening system 39, as seen in FIG. 6. With this construction, the head shield is removably attached to frame 1 and can be located at various angles reltive to the frame to accommodate the particular task being performed by the user. In general, the window 37 in head piece 4 will be located at a slight downward angle to the vertical. Frame 1 also includes a lower curved bar 40, which is attached to the tubular members 5 and extends forwardly of the tubular members. Apron 3, which is composed of material similar to apron 2, is suspended from bar 40 by removable fasteners, preferably a hook and loop system. If the user of the radiation shield is of substantial height the lower lead apron 3 can be utilized. However, if the user is of relatively short height, the lower lead apron 3 may not be employed. With the radiation shield of the invention, the entire weight of the aprons 2 and 3 and head piece 4 is carried by the frame 1 rather than the user. This substantially reduces fatique to the user and eliminates the possibility of vertebral damage or pain. The radiation shield is fully maneuverable by the user or operator. The operator merely walks over the floor, and in doing so, applies a force to the thrust bars 15 and 16, causing the shield to follow the movements of the user. As the wheels or caster do not extend forwardly of the apron 2, the shield can be moved directly up against a table or other object without interference from the casters. To prevent forward tilting of the shield the rear braces 12 and diagonal braces 13, which are tubular metal members, can be filled with a weight, such as metal shot, and this added weight will aid in preventing forward tilting of the shield during use. The radiation shield is adjustable for the height of the user, as well as the waist size and due to the removable hook and loop connections between the head piece 4 and the frame, the head piece can be readily adjusted in position relative to the frame and apron 2. The radiation shield provides complete protection for the body, head and shoulders of the user. Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.