Abstract:
A surgical glove removal apparatus in which a crossmember supports one or more flanges that are able to be slipped between the wearer&#39;s glove and hand, so that when the hand is withdrawn, the flange peels the glove off away from the wearer. A shield is provided to prevent unwanted splatter, with the shield being adjustable virtually 360 degrees about the crossmember. The crossmember is supported by support legs that are able to be attached to virtually any surface angle, with the flanges able to be utilized with the apparatus attached to a floor surface, a table surface, a wall surface, or even an elevated or ceiling surface, allowing for complete versatility in the placement of this apparatus in a medical setting. The shield and flanges may be adjustable as to position for the user, with the height or extension of the support legs also adjustable so as to accommodate any mounting surface and make it appropriate for the mounting and use of this apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Two basic concepts exist for surgical glove removal. The first concept uses vacuum pressure chambers to modify the shape and size of the gloves. Recent art has utilized improvements on this first concept. The second basic concept for surgical glove removal uses an external instrument to pull the glove away from the hand. Prior art generally is not intended for attachment to a ceiling or wall, as the present invention does. Further, shields and guards are desirous, since substances on the gloves may contain unwanted contaminants.  
         [0002]     Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,276 (Poncy et al.), a method for putting on surgical gloves is shown. This invention typifies an early method for using vacuum chambers to put on gloves, and logically also to remove, surgical gloves.  
         [0003]     Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,747 (Coffey et al.), a removal method for a specific type of glove is shown, in which the glove itself is equipped with a loop that is able to be used in conjunction with a hook to facilitate removal. The glove construction is critical to this invention.  
         [0004]     Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,272 (Vlock), another vacuum pressure apparatus is shown that is capable of being used to put on as well as remove gloves. This patent shows a complicated method, and requires a cumbersome apparatus.  
         [0005]     Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,220 (Andriola), a curious sports glove removal method is shown. This method shows an example of an the application of an external force on a portion of the glove to assist in removing it.  
         [0006]     Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,483 (Saandatmanesh et al.), another attempt to define an apparatus that is used to remove surgical gloves is shown. Unlike the present invention, the removal force is applied externally, rather than inside the glove.  
         [0007]     Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,117 (Poschelk) an apparatus is shown comprising a means to position the opening of the glove for easy insertion and removal of a person&#39;s hand. The glove itself requires a ring assembly in order to be usable.  
         [0008]     Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,134 (Dunkel), an apparatus to facilitate removal of gloves is shown. Although there are some similarities to the present invention, this invention does not allow ease of use as the present invention does, and lacks the fully adjustable characteristics.  
         [0009]     Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,792 (Neal), an apparatus having a flange that is inserted between the hand and glove is shown. Referring now also to U.S. patent application No. 2002/0158092 (Cattenhead), a latex glove removal and disposal unit combination is shown. The varied mounting positions are not available with either of these patents, as is available with the present invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     This apparatus comprises a useful means to remove close fitting or tight fitting gloves, such as surgical type latex gloves. The removal of these type of gloves is often difficult to do, owing to the manner in which the gloves themselves provide a constricting force on all of the surface area of the wearer&#39;s hand. In addition, it is often undesirable to attempt removal of these types of gloves without some external instrument, in situations where caustic and/or biologically threatening substances are present on the gloves themselves. If removal is attempted without using a stationary external instrument, then the undesirable substances on the glove of one hand will likely be transferred to the skin of the other hand during the removal. Removal methods that do not use an external instrument generally will require that the wearer use their thumb or finger portion of one glove to place underneath the glove on the other hand, which will also make contact against the skin to pry the second glove off.  
         [0011]     This instrument avoids undesired contact of one hand against the other, and easily and quickly allows glove removal. In addition, this invention allows for placement and orientation of the invention in virtually all possible orientations. Therefore, this invention finds usefulness in situations where a tabletop is provided as the surface to which this invention is attached, as well as a wall or even a ceiling, where the invention hangs down from above.  
         [0012]     This apparatus comprises a framework in which to support legs are spaced apart and separated on one end by a crossmember, with the other ends of the support legs having a means by which they may be attached to a stable and suitable surface. Typically, a bracket is provided and attached to the support legs to allow easy mounting.  
         [0013]     The crossmember is preferably straight, but they follow any orientation desired, such as a curved arcual shape, or any other shape that the user finds beneficial. Also on the crossmember are one or more flanges, that have side edges and a curved end. These flanges are preferably flattened portions, but also follow a curved or arcual shape.  
         [0014]     The adjustable features of this invention are also able to provide wider range of use. The support legs may be adjustable as to overall length, with an inner support leg being slidably disposed within the outer support leg. In this situation, the outer support leg will comprise a tubular member, which is able to receive the inner support leg. The inner support leg may comprise a tubular member, in which the outer circumference of the inner support leg is less than the internal circumference of the outer support leg.  
         [0015]     Where the invention is desired to be adjustable as to length of its support legs, a locking means is provided so as to fix the position of the inner and outer support legs in relation to each other. Typically, an adjustment screw, that is threaded through the outer support leg, with the screw end contacting the outer side of the inner support leg is used. When the screw is tightened against the inner support leg, this will cause said leg to be locked into position.  
         [0016]     A shielding may also be provided, in which a shield means defines an outer shielding edge, providing a barrier between the mounted flanges and the wearers face. This can be very important, seems undesirable materials on the gloves themselves can easily spatter off of the gloves during the removal. It is foreseeable that some of this undesired material could impact on the person&#39;s face if there was no barrier. This invention provides a fully adjustable shield, that is adjustable to numerous positions and able to adjust to any orientation of the framework.  
         [0017]     Since this invention contemplates multiple positions, the shield means itself must also be adjustable. In this invention, the shield means is contemplated as having an outer edge with two outer side walls that position the outer edge away from the cross member. The shield itself rotates around the ends of the crossmember, and it is easily removable one from the framework for cleaning. Further adjustment features may be utilized, comprising adjustment screws that tighten against an opposing surface.  
         [0018]     The materials used to create this invention may be of any material having rigid properties when formed, and may be metal, plastic or composites. It is the placement of the glove removing flanges and the optional shield that provide the usefulness for this invention.  
         [0019]     Accordingly, it is object to this invention to provide a means by which latex gloves are easily removed concurrent with one another in a single removal action.  
         [0020]     It is a further object of this invention to provide apparatus in which it is capable of presenting flanges from a framework that are able to be attached to any surface orientation.  
         [0021]     It is a further object of this invention to provide apparatus which is capable of being adjusted as to overall length allowing greater options as to the positioning of the flanges with regard to multiple potential surfaces.  
         [0022]     It is a further object of this invention to provide the glove removal apparatus having an adjustable shield means to protect the wearer from undesirable spattering.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the glove removal apparatus, as seen from above said apparatus when it is mounted to a floor or another object below the view of the observer, with the wearer&#39;s glove and arm shown as an exampled position.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the flange means, where the flange is shown welded to the crossmember.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the shield means, as shown when attached to the ends of the crossmember.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the support leg, with the inner support leg disposed within, and an adjustment screw shown tightened against the inner support leg.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the glove removal apparatus, without a shield means, shown in the orientation as it would appear when attached to the floor or another object below the view of the observer.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the glove removal apparatus, as shown in the orientation as it would appear if mounted to a wall or other vertical structure.  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the glove removal apparatus, as shown in the orientation as it would appear if mounted to a ceiling or other structure, in which the glove removal apparatus would hang down.  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the top portion of the glove removal apparatus, showing the shield means in a manner where it is able to rotate around the ends of the crossmember.  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the crossmember with a loop surrounding the crossmember, and a tightening screw shown as it would be placed into the defined hole.  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the crossmember and support leg, with the shield means shown adjacent to the washer outer side, with an adjustment screw shown as it would appear when screw through the shield means and tightened against the washer outer side.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 a  framework  10  is provided, comprising two support legs  11 , each having a bottom end which defines a means for attachment to a separate supporting surface, and a top end for supporting a crossmember  14 . Said support legs  11  are generally parallel to each other and are spaced apart by a crossmember  14 . Said crossmember  14  is attached to each support leg  11  along its length so that the ends  15  of the crossmember  14  protrude beyond the point where the support leg  11  is attached. In this manner, the support legs  11  and crossmember  14  define a U-shaped framework  10 .  
         [0034]     Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , along the length of crossmember  14 , are one or more flange members  20 , which are defined as generally flat sections of material having a width as defined from a first side edge  23  to a second side edge  23 ′, with a peripheral end  22  defining a curved or arcual shape. The flange member  20  has a relatively small thickness, with the peripheral end  22  having a thickness that is preferably no more than 3 millimeters. The thickness of the central portion of the flange  20  may vary in overall thickness for purposes of strength. The flange member  20  may be defined as a flat piece of material, or have a curved or arcual shape along its length. The flange member  20  is capable of being firmly fixed to the crossmember  14 .  
         [0035]     In circumstances where the framework  10  and flange members  20  are comprised of metal, the flange members  20  may be welded on their attachment edge  21  to the crossmember  14 . It is not necessary that the framework  10  and flange members  20  be constructed out of metal, but may be constructed out of any material having rigid qualities. In such instances, the flange members  20  may be glued or attached in any manner commonly known in the art to crossmember  14 .  
         [0036]     As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the flange members  20  are attached to the crossmember  14  so that they are angled downward, toward the length of the support legs  11 . The exact angle of the flange means  20  may be any angle desired, but the most optimal angle is from 0 to 45 degrees, as related to pointing directly downward. In this manner, a glove wearing hand  19  it is able to position itself so that the hand is hanging downward, with the opening between the wrist/palm and glove immediately below the end  22  of flange  20 . In this manner, the flange end  22  is able to slip in between the glove and palm, and separates the glove from the palm as the hand is pulled upward, with the glove remaining behind on the flange  20 .  
         [0037]     As indicated in  FIG. 1 , the flange  20  is able to be positioned between the glove and the persons palm, so that when the hand is moved upward, the glove will be prevented from moving upward due to the flange  20 , so that the is easily separated away from the person and allowed to simply fall straight down.  
         [0038]     Also shown in  FIG. 1 , on the bottom ends of the support legs  11 , are mounting means  12 , which allow the framework  10  to be fixed to any surface desired that is capable of providing a proper foundation for the framework  10 . These surfaces would comprise floors, tables, platforms, walls, or any other similar surface capable of supporting the framework  10 . In  FIG. 1 , brackets  12  are shown, which comprise flat plates oriented perpendicular to the length of the support leg  11 , having holes defined therein, which would allow mounting screws to be used to fix the frame  10  to a desired foundation surface  51 , such as that shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 .  
         [0039]     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in situations where the overall length of the support legs  11  are intended to be adjustable, a means to increase or decrease the overall length of the support leg  11  is incorporated into the invention. A secondary or inner support leg  18 , having an external circumference that is less the internal circumference of a hollow tubular outer support  11  is shown. The inner support leg  18  is able to be slidably disposed within the outer support leg  11 , so that the inner support leg  18  is able to extend out of the outer support leg  11 . A means to fix the inner leg  18  in relation to the outer leg  11  is also provided.  FIG. 1  discloses an adjustable screw  13 , that is threaded through the thickness of the wall of the outer support leg  11 , near its top end. As the screw  13  is tightened, it will eventually engage the inner support leg  18 , and if the screw  13  is tightened sufficiently, it will frictionally cause the inner leg  18  to fix in position with the outer support leg  11 . This adjustable feature allows this particular apparatus to find usefulness not only on a table, but may be useful when attached to a floor, or to a ceiling. In each of these situations, the overall length of the support legs  11  and  18  will properly position the crossmember  14  in an optimal position.  
         [0040]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the upper portion of the framework  10  is shown, in which a shield means  30  is shown. Shield means  30  provides a barrier between the glove removal area comprising the flanges  20 , and typically the facial area of the wearer. The removal of latex gloves often involves undesirable spattering as the gloves are removed. The shield means  30  comprises an outer edge  34  that is positioned and supported in relation to the crossmember  14  by sidewalls  31  and  32 . As  FIG. 3  depicts, the side walls  31  and  32  have a triangular shaped configuration, with a respective outer side  31 ′ and an inner side  32 ′.  
         [0041]     The outer edge  34  may have a curved or flattened configuration. As it is shown in  FIG. 8 , the peripheral side edge  60  may be shaped and conFig.d so that it follows a circular orientation  61  for the shield means  30  if it pivots around a central axis comprising the crossmember  14 .  
         [0042]     Referring now also to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 8 , when the crossmember  14  is situated on the support legs  11 , said crossmember  14  will preferably extend beyond that point where the support leg  11  and crossmember  14  are joined, so as to define a crossmember end  15 . A washer  16  is fixed to the crossmember  14 , so that the protruding end  15  is accessible. Said washer  16  has an outer side  17  and an inner side  17 ′. A flange or other extension means that provides a surface against which the shield means  30  can rest may also be provided in place of the washer  16 . In this manner, the washer  16  acts as a frictional stop against which the inner sides  32 ′ of the shield means  30  may contact.  
         [0043]     Shield means  30  is provided with an opening on its bottom most end  63 , through which the end  15  of crossmember is placed. Preferably, the shield means  30  is comprised of a resilient material that exhibits some flexible characteristics, with its nonstressed orientation comprising a gap between the bottom most end areas  63  that is slightly less than the distance between the outer sides  17  of washer means  16 . In this manner, the shield means  30  is able to be removed or placed onto the framework  10  as desired, by simply urging the bottom most and areas  63  apart slightly so as to allow the ends  15  to fit in through the openings in the bottom most end areas  63  of the sidewalls  31  and  32 . The side walls inner sides  32 ′ will contact the outer side  17  of the washer means  16 . Frictional involvement will be acquired between them. The position of the shield means  30  may be fixed in any desirable position permanently, or may be positioned where desired, with the frictional contact between the shield means  30  and the washer means  16  being sufficient so as to overcome any gravitational effects on the shield means  30 . Thus, the shield means  30  is adjustable for use with one individual&#39;s characteristics to the next.  
         [0044]     Referring also again to  FIG. 8 , the shield means  30  is rotatable virtually 360°. Multiple positions are shown in  FIG. 8 , with one position showing the side edge  35  of the shield means  30  when it is in a vertical or upright position when the framework  10  is attached to the floor or tabletop. An alternative position is shown where the side edged  35  has moved as the shield means  30  has been rotated forward, so that side edge  35  is now at position shown as number  40 . This provides spattering protection to virtually any position so desired. The shield means  30  is rotatable 360° with the exception of its contact with the framework  10 . Since the shield means may be rotated forward until it contacts the framework  10 , and also rotatable backwards until it contacts the framework  10 , the full rotational benefits, less the small distance occupied by the thickness of the support legs  11 , is able to be realized. This allows full use in virtually any orientation, since preferably, the shield means  30  will remain in any position desired by the user.  
         [0045]     Referring now also to  FIG. 5 , the framework  10  is shown in orientation as it would appear if it was attached to the exterior or top surface  51  of a floor or tabletop  50 . Likewise,  FIG. 6  depicts framework  10  shown with that support legs  11  being horizontal, where the exterior side  51  of a table, wall or vertical surface  50  is shown. Also shown, in  FIG. 7 , the framework  10  is descending downward or hanging downward from a ceiling or other horizontal surface  50  is above the framework  10 . In all three instances, being  FIGS. 5-7 , the flanges  20  are positioned in a desirable location, with the support legs  11  positioning the crossmember  14  and flanges  20  in the most optimal location for glove removal. The shield means  30  is optional, that would also work in any of these orientations.  
         [0046]     The adjustable features of this invention are example and shown in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 10 . Referring now specifically to Fig. four, the overall height of this framework  10  is accomplished by allowing the inner support leg  18  to slidably be disposed within the main support leg  11 , with an adjustment screw  13  having a defined hole through which the adjustment screw  13  is able to be turned and moved inward until it abuts against the inner support leg  18 . As  FIG. 4  shows, the adjustment screw  13  has been tightened down until the end of the adjustment screw  13  has physically impacted with the inner support leg  18 . When sufficient pressure exists between the adjustment screw  13  and inner support leg  18 , movement of the inner support leg  18  and support leg  11  will be restricted in relation to each other, and by making adjustments of similar nature on both support legs  11 , the overall height of the crossmember  14  may be adjusted to any desired height that does not exceed the combined length of the inner support leg  18  and support leg  11 .  
         [0047]     Referring now also to  FIG. 9 , the inner support leg  18  a shown, with a loop  41  situated on the top portion of inner support leg  18 . The loop  41  and inner support leg  18  are integrated into a single piece, so that the loop  41  does not move in relation to support leg  18 . The loop  41  defines a sufficient internal diameter that is capable of accommodating the outer circumference of crossmember  14 , and where crossmember  14  is slidably disposed through said loop  41 . Crossmember  14  will be able to turn and twist end relation to that loop  41 . In this configuration also, the shield  30  (not shown in this Fig.) is fixed in relation to the crossmember  14 . In such a situation, the shield  30  either replaces the washer  17 , or the shield  30  is fixed emulation to the washer outer side  16 . As  FIG. 9  shows, a tightening screw  42  is placed through a defined hole  43 , were said hole  43  has reciprocating walls that allow the screw  42  to be tightened until it abuts against the crossmember  14 . When tightening screw  42  applies sufficient frictional force against that crossmember  14 , the freely moving crossmember  14  will be fixed in position, allowing the shield  32  also be fixed into position.  
         [0048]     Referring also now to  FIG. 10 , where the inner support leg  11  is physically attached or fixed to crossmember  14 , the shield  30  may be fixed in position, with regard to the crossmember  14  and inner support leg  11 , using a tightening screw  53  which has threading defined along its length similar to the tightening screws  13  and  42 , with a defined hole through the shield  30 , and where the hole is immediately adjacent to the washer outer side  16 . By tightening the screw  53  so that it applies sufficient frictional force against the washer outer side  16 , movement between the shield  30  and washer outer side  16  are fixed in relation to each other. This allows the shield  30  to rotate as shown in  FIG. 8 . The shield  30  will also the capable of rotating and  FIG. 8  by utilizing the apparatus and configuration as shown in  FIG. 9 . Referring again to  FIG. 10 , the washer outer side  16  may define notches or holes that will except a protruding screw or pan such as that shown as the tightening screw  53  in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0049]     From the foregoing statements, summary and description in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same are not limited thereto, but are susceptible to various changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and modifications which would be encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.