Patent Number: 043607365
Section: summary

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to radiation shields of the type comprising a container formed of thin flexible material filled with a radiation attenuating liquid. BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART Radiation shields of the type comprising a container formed of thin flexible material filled with a radiation attenuating liquid were originally disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,087, issued May 14, 1978. Such radiation shields have come into widespread use. However, despite their popularity, their use has presented certain problems. Radiation shields of this type now in use are simply dunnage bags--that is, large rubber bags somewhat similar in appearance to water mattresses. Such shields are satisfactory for most purposes, but they have presented some problems where dimensional accuracy and dimensional stability are problems. That is because the surfaces of the shields tend to bulge in a non-uniform and somewhat unpredictable fashion when the shield is filled with a radiation attenuating liquid. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a general object of the invention to provide a radiation shield which will obviate or minimize problems of the type previously described. It is a particular object of the invention to provide a radiation shield which maintains its dimensional accuracy and dimensional stability when the shield is filled with a radiation attenuating liquid. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment given hereinafter. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a radiation shield for use in installations containing sources of radiation. The radiation shield comprises a container formed of thin flexible material and means connecting opposing walls of the container to maintain the distance therebetween when the container is filled with a radiation attenuating liquid. Preferably, the means are either drop stitches or wing tabs.