Patent Publication Number: US-6711748-B2

Title: Head gear apparatus having movably mounted fan

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/896,973 filed on Jun. 29, 2001 now U.S Pat. No. 6,513,168 that, in turn, is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/581,904 filed on Jun. 16, 2000 now U.S Pat. No. 6,393,617 that is based pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 371 on PCT International Application No. PCT/US99/00928 filed on Jan. 15, 1999. Which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/071,753 filed on Jan. 16, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a head gear apparatus that moves air to cool a caregiver&#39;s head, more particularly to a head gear apparatus that provides the caregiver with a fresh air stream while protecting the caregiver from splashing fluids and other materials during surgery. Still more particularly, the present invention is directed to a head gear apparatus that includes a helmet, a fan, and a surgical garment. 
     It is known to provide helmets with a fan. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,402 to Greenough; U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,688 to Gorman; U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,936 to Thomas, Jr. et. al.; and U.S. Pat No. 5,054,480 to Bare et al. These conventional helmets, however, carry fans that are positioned to lie in a pre-determined position. This position can be uncomfortable for the wearer to the helmet. 
     It is also known to provide surgical gowns with a pre-determined lengths. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,704 to Viemeister et al. and U.S. Pat No. 5,253,642 to Stackhouse et al. 
     According to the present invention a head gear apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a helmet including a shell configured to rest upon a head of a user and a fan housing movably coupled to the shell, a fan positioned to lie within the fan housing, and a garment. The garment is selectively coupled to the helmet and includes a face shield. 
     In preferred embodiment, the shell includes a front end, a back end, and an aperture extending between the front and back ends. The fan housing includes guides that extend through the aperture and are movable between the front and back ends to move the fan on the shell. The aperture in the shell is defined by at least one guide track, and the fan housing includes a floor portion with at least one boss that rides along the at least one guide track. Additionally, the helmet further includes a shield that couples to an inner surface of the shell adjacent to the aperture. 
     Still further, the helmet includes an inner panel spaced-apart from the inner surface of the shell to define a passageway that extends between the inner panel and the inner surface of the shell. Particularly, the passageway extends between the fan housing and the front end of the shell. An air duct is also coupled to the fan housing and defines a channel. The air duct is movable with the fan housing on the shell and moves in the passageway to route an air stream toward a user&#39;s face. In addition, the helmet shield mount is positioned to lie adjacent to the front end of the shell that is formed for attachment with the garment. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, a head gear apparatus is provided that comprises a helmet that includes a shell configured to rest upon a head of a user and formed to include a front end and a back end, a fan housing coupled to the shell, a fan positioned to lie within the fan housing, and a garment selectively coupled to the helmet. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a head gear apparatus is provided that comprises a helmet and a garment selectively coupled to the helmet. The garment includes a head portion having a face shield, a front side, and an opposite back side. The front side has a top edge and a bottom edge defining a first normal pre-determined length and a middle portion extending between the top and bottom edges. The back side has a second normal pre-determined length that is less than the normal pre-determined length of the front side. The bottom edge of the front side is folded upon the middle portion and affixed in a folded position so that the front side has a folded length that is generally equal to the second normal pre-determined length of the back side. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a head portion of a surgical garment in accordance with the present invention showing the head portion including a fabric garment portion, filter media coupled to the garment portion, and a face shield; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a helmet in accordance with the present invention that is suitable for use with the surgical garment of FIG. 1 showing the helmet including a shell having a front end and a back end, a fan housing adjacent to the back end, an air duct extending from the fan housing, and a strap coupled to the shell with a fixation tab; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the helmet of FIG. 2 with portions broken away showing the shell formed to include a fan-receiving cavity adjacent to the back end and a passageway extending between the fan-receiving cavity and the front end of the shell, an air flow deflector positioned to lie within the passageway, and the fan housing positioned within the fan-receiving cavity for movement relative to the back end of the shell; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the helmet of FIG. 2 showing the helmet including an inner surface having a plurality of openings therethrough, a guide track aperture extending therethrough, and a head shield that is affixed to the inner surface to cover the guide track aperture; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view with portions broken away of the helmet of FIG. 2 coupled to the head portion of surgical garment of FIG. 1 showing the helmet situated upon the head of a user and a fan positioned to lie in the fan housing of the helmet, and showing the flow path of air extending through the filter media where the fan directs the air flow into the passageway towards a face of the user; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the fan of FIG. 5 showing the fan including curved blades and also showing the directional movement of the fan within the fan housing; 
     FIG. 7 is a front view with portions broken away of the head gear apparatus of FIG. 5 showing the fan in phantom and the garment having the head portion, a front side, arm portions extending from the front side, waist ties positioned to lie adjacent the arm portions, shoulder ties, a battery coupled to the fan and an adapter holding the battery and clipped to a user&#39;s waistband, and also showing in phantom, an adhesive strip and a bottom edge of the front side extended to a normal length; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the head gear apparatus of FIG. 7 with portions broken away showing the garment having a back side coupled to the front side by a seam, one waist tie coupled to the seam, a zipper, and showing the bottom edge of the front side that is normally folded upon the middle portion and affixed in a fan-folded position so that the front side has a folded length that is generally equal to the normal length of back side; 
     FIG. 9 is a back view of the head gear apparatus of FIG. 7 showing the zipper extending along the length of the back side, and showing in phantom, the waist ties tied together, the shoulder ties tied together, and the bottom edge of the front side in the fan-folded position; 
     FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a voltage converter assembly that is suitable for use with the head gear apparatus of the present invention, showing the converter assembly including a battery providing a low voltage input to a voltage converter, the voltage converter providing a high voltage output to the fan, and also showing a low voltage alarm in communication with the voltage converter; 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of a cover of the fan housing showing the cover including a top portion having a plurality of apertures therethrough and an inlet ring; 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of the inlet ring of FIG. 11 showing the inlet ring including an outer rim, a shield portion, and an aperture extending through the shield portion; and 
     FIG. 13 is a view taken along line  13 — 13  of FIG. 12 showing the inlet ring including tabs for engaging the fan housing and showing the shield portion having a curved portion. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     As shown in FIGS. 1,  2 , and  7 , a surgical garment  14  and a helmet  12  are provided in accordance with the present invention to form headgear apparatus  10 . Helmet  12  cooperates with garment  14  to provide a user with a fresh air stream while protecting the user from splashing fluids and materials during surgery. In addition, helmet  12  and garment  14  also cooperate to help protect the patient from contamination during the surgical procedure. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates garment  14  of headgear apparatus  10 . Garment  14  includes a fabric portion  16 , filter media  18  coupled to fabric portion  16 , and a face shield  20 . Fabric portion  16  includes an outer surface  22  and an opposite inner surface  24 . Illustratively, fabric portion  16  is constructed of a conventional woven polyester fabric that is generally resistant to the passage of contaminated fluids and aerosols. It is appreciated, however, that garment portion may be constructed from a non-woven fabric or any one of a wide variety of natural or synthetic fibers in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, helmet  12  in accordance with the present invention is configured for use with garment  14 . Helmet  12  includes a shell  114  defining a fan-receiving cavity  116 , a movable fan housing  120  positioned to lie within cavity  116 , an air duct or front snout  124  extending from fan housing  120 , and an air flow deflector  126 . Shell  114  includes a front end  128 , an opposite back end  130 , and a centerline  132  extending between front and back ends  128 ,  130 . In addition, shell  114  includes an inner surface  134  configured to face a user&#39;s head  28 , an opposite outer surface  136 , and venting apertures  144  extending between outer and inner surfaces  136 ,  134 . As best shown in FIG. 3, an inner panel  138  is spaced apart from inner surface  134  of shell  114  and defines a passageway  118  therebetween. Passageway  118  has an entrance  140  and an opposite exit  142  adjacent to front end  128  of shell  114 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, shell  114  of helmet  12  further includes a shield mount  146  adjacent to front end  128 . Shield mount  146  includes hook-and-loop type fasteners  148  coupled to helmet  12  and a location flange  150  that is configured to mate with face shield  20  of garment  14 . It is appreciated that a mechanical lock and any number of attachment devices may be used in accordance with the present disclosure to couple face shield  20  and helmet  12  together. Location flange  150  is a mechanical stop for corresponding face shield  20  and provides a true position shield orientation for the user when donning garment  14 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 4, shell  114  also includes a guide-track aperture  154  adjacent to cavity  116 . Aperture  154  is defined by opposing guide tracks  156  that include several embossed circular detents  158  along their length. Each guide track  156  extends generally from back end  130  toward front end  128  of shell  114  to guide movement as shown by arrow  157  of fan housing  120  along centerline  132 . It is appreciated that the spacing and intervals of detents  158  may vary without exceeding the scope of the present disclosure. 
     In addition, helmet  12  includes a head shield  160  to block entrance of the user&#39;s head  28  or hair into guide-track aperture  154 . Head shield  160  is coupled to shell  114  with hook-and-loop type fasteners (not shown), although it is appreciated that a wide variety of fasteners may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. A headrest pad  162  is coupled to head shield  160  and is configured to extend along guide tracks  156 . Pad  162  is constructed of foam rubber, although it is appreciated that a wide variety of pads may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, fan housing  120  of helmet  12  is positioned to lie within cavity  116 . Fan housing  120  articulates on embossed guide tracks  156  along centerline  132  of helmet  12 . Fan housing  120  has a range of motion of about 30 degrees. Thus, the user is free to adjust the center of balance of helmet  12  by redistributing the weight of fan housing  120 . It is appreciated,.however, that the range of motion of fan housing  120  may be greater or less than about 30 degrees in accordance with the present disclosure. Fan housing  120  includes a floor portion  170  positioned to lie adjacent to shell  114 , a side wall  172  extending from floor portion  170  to define an opening  174  therein, and a cover  176  is configured to be selectively coupled to side wall  172 . 
     Fan housing  120  also has circular bosses  180  that extend from floor portion  170  and ride along guide tracks  156 . Bosses  180  mate with the circular embossed detents  158  to provide an easy manner of fan housing  120  position selection. As best shown in FIG. 4, guides  182  are coupled to fan housing  120  and extend through aperture  154 . Guides  182  are coupled to fan housing  120  by screws  183 . Guides  182  may be removed from fan housing  120  to permit fan housing  120  to be removed from helmet  12 . It is appreciated that bosses  180  and guides  182  may be formed in a variety of shapes and may be coupled to fan housing  120  using a wide variety of fasteners such as, for example, pins, rivets, staples, etc., in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, cover  176  of fan housing  120  couples to filter media  18  to stabilize garment  14  on a user&#39;s head. Cover  176  is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 11. Cover  176  includes a top portion  175  formed to include a plurality of apertures  177  and an inlet ring  179  positioned to lie between top portion  175  and fan housing  120 . Referring now to FIG. 11, inlet ring  179  includes an outer rim  181 , a shield portion  164 , and an aperture  185  extending through shield portion  164 . Outer rim  181  of inlet ring  179 , as shown in FIG. 13, includes tabs  189  that are configured for engagement with fan housing  120 . In addition, shield portion  164  has a curved portion  199  configured for extension away from fan housing  120  toward top portion  175 . Referring now to FIG. 5, inlet ring  179  and top portion  175  of cover  176  have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of side wall  172  to define a radially extending lip portion  178 . Filter media  18  on garment  14  grips lip portion  178  of fan housing  120  when donned creating a seal therebetween. The cooperation between filter media  18  and fan housing  120  insures that generally only outside ambient air is pulled through filter media  18  into fan housing  120  toward the face of the user. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, air duct  124  of helmet  12  directs air flow as shown by arrows  185  toward the user&#39;s face. Air duct  124  works in conjunction with fan housing  120  to encompass the air flow. Air duct  124  extends from side wall  172  of fan housing  120  into passageway  118  of helmet  12  through entrance  140 . As shown in FIG. 3, air duct  124  includes an outer end  194  coupled to fan housing  120 , an inner end  196  positioned to lie within passageway  118 , and a middle portion  198  extending between inner and outer ends  196 ,  194 . Referring again to FIG. 5, air duct  124  defines a channel  210  configured to permit air flow as shown by arrows  185  therethrough. Movement of fan housing  120  within cavity  116  along centerline  132  as shown by arrow  157  causes movement of air duct  124  within passageway  118 . Thus, as fan housing  120  is shifted toward passageway  118 , inner end  196  of air duct  124  moves toward front end  128  of shell  114 . 
     In addition, air flow deflector  126  of helmet  12  is positioned to lie adjacent exit  142  of passageway  118  at front end  128  of shell  114 . Air flow deflector  126  changes or deflects air flow, as shown by arrow  185  in FIG. 5, to a comfortable location for the user. Air flow deflector  126  is coupled to a frontal fixation tab  216  that extends through front end  128  of shell  114 . As shown in phantom in FIG. 5, frontal fixation tab  216  is movable relative to front end  128  and pulls air flow deflector  126  into and out of exit  142  of passageway  118 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, head gear apparatus  10  further includes a fan  122  that is positioned to lie within opening  174  of fan housing  120 . Fan  122  includes a 12-volt motor  184  and blades  186  that are formed to have a reverse curvature in relation to the rotational direction as shown by arrow  188  of blades  186 . It is believed that the reverse curvature of blades  186  improves the air flow within fan housing  120  by decreasing turbulent vortexes within opening  174  and generates air flow using small DC-motor  184 . As best shown in FIG. 5, air is drawn into fan  122  through cover  176  and flows in a direction generally toward motor  184 . Blades  186  rotating as indicated by arrow  188  causes the air to move in a direction radially outwardly from motor  186  into air duct  124 . Although curved blades  186  are illustrated and described, it is appreciated that a variety of blades may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. In addition, various fans having a range of shapes and sizes of air inputs and air output as well as a range of air flow configurations may be used with apparatus  10 . It is also appreciated that the voltage necessary to run motor  184  may vary in accordance with the present disclosure. As best shown in FIG. 5, a power cord  190  extends from motor  184  and is selectively coupled to a power connector  192 . It is appreciated that power cord  190  may be removed from power connector  192  to permit fan  122  to be removed from helmet  12 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, a strap  214  is coupled to shell  114  with fixation tabs  217 . Fixation tabs  217  secure strap  214  to helmet  12  and therefore increase the stability between strap  214  and helmet  12 . As shown in FIG. 4, strap  214  includes first portions  218  coupled to fixation tab  217  and nape straps  220  coupled to first portions  218  by pivot pins  222 . First portion  218  of strap  214  includes a U-shaped band  260  and mount tabs  262  extending from the band  260  and coupled to fixation tab  217 . As shown in FIG. 4, a pad  166  is coupled to band  260  for engagement with a head  28  of a user. 
     Nape straps  220  include a notched aperture  250  and rotate about pivot points defined by pivot pins  222  spaced apart from notched aperture  250 . Thus, nape straps  220  enable the user to select an optimal position (angle) of strap  214 . Nape straps  220  extend into a strap cover  223  and cooperate with an adjustment knob  224  to tighten strap  214 . As shown in FIG. 5, knob  224  includes a handle portion  252  and teeth  254  that extend through notched apertures  250  and engage nape straps  220 . Turning handle portion  252  causes teeth  254  to engage notched portions in aperture  250  and thus move nape straps  220  relative to one another. Thus, knob  224  is configured to increase and decrease the overall length of nape straps  220  so that the user can adjust strap  214  to a specific size. A pad  168  is coupled to strap cover  223  for engagement with head  28 . While strap  214  is illustrated and described, it is appreciated that a variety of straps may be coupled to shell  114  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     As shown in FIGS.  5  and  7 - 9 , garment  14  is coupled to helmet  12  to form headgear apparatus  10 . Fabric portion  16  of garment  14  includes a head portion  26  configured to cover user&#39;s head  28  in phantom (FIG.  5 ), a front side  30  configured to lie adjacent a user&#39;s chest (not shown), an opposite back side  32  coupled to front side  30  at a seam  34 , and arm portions  36  coupled to front and back sides  30 ,  32  adjacent to seam  34 . It is appreciated, however, that garment  14  may be formed to include only head portion  26 , as shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present disclosure. As best shown in FIG. 7, each arm portion  36  includes an elastic cuff  38  configured to engage a user&#39;s wrists (not shown) to hold arm portions  36  in a generally stationary position on the arms (not shown) of the user. 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, back side  32  of fabric portion  16  includes a first panel  40  and a second panel  42 . Head portion  26  includes a slit  44  formed adjacent to an intersection of first and second panels  40 ,  42 . First and second panels  40 ,  42  of back side  32  and slit  44  of head portion  26  are coupled together by a zipper  46  to enable head portion  26  and back side  32  to be expandable in width and promote donning of garment  14 . While zipper  46  is illustrated and described, it is appreciated that a wide variety of fastening mechanisms may be used in accordance with the present disclosure to couple first and second panels  40 ,  42  together. In addition, while seams  34  are sewn, it is appreciated that sealed seams may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. It is also appreciated that garment  14  may be formed as a zipperless toga (not shown). 
     As shown in FIG. 8, front and back sides  30 ,  32  of fabric portion  16  each include a top edge  48  coupled to head portion  26  by a top seam  50 , an opposite bottom edge  52 , and a middle portion  54  extending between top and bottom edges  48 ,  52 . Front side  30  of fabric portion  16  has a normal pre-determined length as shown by line  56  that is greater than a normal pre-determined length as shown by line  58  of back side  32 . Bottom edge  52  of front side  30  is folded upon middle portion  54  in a fan-folded position as shown by arrow  60  causing front side  30  to have a folded pre-determined length as shown by line  62  that is generally equal to the normal pre-determined length  58  of back side  32  of garment  16 . Bottom edge  52  of front side  30  is held in fan-folded position  60  by an adhesive  66  adjacent inner surface  24  of fabric portion  16 . Illustratively, adhesive  66  is one-sided tape although it is appreciated that a wide variety of adhesives or other fastening means may be used in accordance with the present invention to hold front side  30  in fan-folded position  60 . Front side  30  may be adjusted to the normal length shown by line  56  by pulling bottom edge  52  away from top edge  48  to release adhesive  66  and permit front side  30  to unfold. Thus, a user of garment  14  may lengthen front side  30  of garment  14  if necessary to protect the user from splashing fluids and materials. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, head portion  26  of garment  16  includes a rim  68  that defines a shield-receiving aperture  70  therethrough. Rim  68  is positioned to lie adjacent to front side  30  of garment  14  as shown in FIG.  7 . In addition, head portion  26  includes a lip  72  that defines a filter-receiving aperture  74  therethrough. Illustratively, face shield  20  is coupled to rim  68 . Face shield  20  includes a shield portion  78  and a border  80  extending about shield portion  78 . Shield portion  78  is bulbous in shape and constructed of a generally transparent material that is impervious to fluids. Border  80  of face shield  20  is coupled to rim  68  of head portion  26  by an adhesive (not shown). It is appreciated, however, that a variety of attachment mechanisms may be used to couple face shield  20  to rim  68 . Hook-and-loop type fasteners (not shown) are also coupled to border  80  to cooperate with hook-and-loop type fasteners  148  of shield mount  146 . While face shield  20  is illustrated and described, it is appreciated that face shield  20  can be constructed in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and formed from a wide variety of materials. 
     Filter media  18  is coupled to lip  72  and covers filter-receiving aperture  74  to filter airborne particles. See FIG.  5 . Filter media  18  is a laminate spun bond cover commercially available as 3M G150, from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., St. Paul, Minn., although it is appreciated that charcoal and a wide variety of other materials suitable for filtering airborne particles without significantly disrupting air flow may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. As best shown in FIG. 5, filter media  18  includes a front end  92  and an opposite back end  94  positioned to lie adjacent slit  44  in head portion  26 . Front and back ends  92 ,  94  of filter media  18  are coupled to garment  14  by a seam (not shown). In addition, an elastic band  98  extends across filler media  18  spaced apart from front and back ends  92 ,  94 . It is appreciated that elastic band  98  may extend along a portion of the seam adjacent back end  94  of filter media  18  and that filter media  18  may be coupled to garment  14  using a variety of attachment mechanisms such as ties, sewing gather, or the like in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     As shown in FIG. 9, garment  14  further includes shoulder ties  100  positioned to extend from inner surface  24  of fabric portion  16  at an intersection  102  between head portion  26  and front and back sides  30 ,  32 . Shoulder ties  100  are configured to take up and secure excess material on a small framed user. Each shoulder tie  100  includes a first end  104  coupled to garment  14 , an opposite second end  106 , and a center portion  108  having a pre-determined tie length. The tie lengths are such that opposite ends  106  of ties  100  may be tied together to decrease the width of garment  14 . Likewise, garment  14  includes waist ties  110  positioned to extend from outer surface  22  of fabric portion  16  along seam  34  between front and back sides  30 ,  32  adjacent arm portions  36 . Waist ties  110  are formed similarly to shoulder ties  100  and are used in a similar manner to decrease the width of garment  16 . It is appreciated that decreasing the width of the garment  14  can be achieved by a wide variety of gathering apparatuses. 
     As shown in FIG. 7 head gear apparatus  10  of the present invention further includes a voltage converter assembly  226 . Converter assembly  226  includes a battery  230 , an adapter  228  that is selectively coupled to battery  230 , and a clip  232 . Battery  230  is a commercially available 6-volt Nickel metal hydride battery. It is appreciated, however, that battery  230  may be selected from a wide variety of batteries having various voltages. Adapter  228  is sized to extend over battery  230  and houses a voltage converter  236  receives a low voltage input and converts it to a high voltage output  237 . For example, voltage converter  236  is capable of converting six volts to twelve volts and thus increase the power to fan  122  without decreasing the life of battery  230 . In addition, converter  236  allows the user to utilize a smaller, lighter-weight battery  230 . Voltage converter  236  utilizes a Maxim Max773 12V high-efficiency, low IQ, Step-Up DC-DC Controller, commercially available from Maxim Integrated Products, Sunnyvale, Calif. It is appreciated that a wide variety of voltage converters may be used in accordance with the present disclosure so long as controller converts voltage from battery  230  to a high voltage that is compatible with fan  122 . Adaptor  230  further includes a low-voltage alarm  238 , an on/off switch (not shown), and a voltage high/low switch (not shown). Clip  232  of voltage converter assembly  226  is coupled to adaptor  230 . Clip  232  is configured to hold battery  230  on a waistband or pocket of a user. 
     In use, the user first places helmet  12  on head  28 . At this time the user is free to adjust the relative positioning of fan housing  120  relative to front and back ends  128 ,  130  of shell  114 . In addition, the user is free to adjust strap  214  by pivoting nape straps  220  on pivot pin  222  to achieve a desirable angle of strap  214 , by rotating adjustment knob  224  to adjust the length of nape straps  220  until strap  214  fits securely on head  28 , and by pivoting first portions  218  on fixation tab  217 . Once helmet  12  is positioned on head  28 , voltage converter assembly  226  may be fastened to power connector  192  and fastened to a belt buckle or waistband of the user by clip  232 . To adjust the flow of air toward the user&#39;s face, the user must simply move frontal fixation tab  216 , which in turn moves air flow deflector  126  into and out of passageway  118 . 
     At this time the user unfolds garment  14  either alone or with assistance. The user then steps into garment, extends arms (not shown) through arm portions  36 , and places head portion  26  over head  28 . When garment  14  is formed with only head portion  26 , the user simply places head portion  26  over head  28 . In both cases, the user then raises the face shield  20  until border  80  engages location flange  150  on front end  128  of shell  114 . Location flange  150  provides user with a mechanical stop which signals to the user that hook-and-loop type fasteners  148  that correspond with hook- and loop-type fasteners (not shown) of face shield  20  are adjacent to border  80  of face shield  20 . The user must simply press face shield  20  toward their face to attach face shield  20  onto helmet  12 . To couple fan housing  120  and filter media  18  together, the user must simply pull filter media  18  over cover  176  of fan housing  120  until elastic band  98  extends over lip portion  178 . Elastic band  98  grips lip portion  178  and holds filter media  18  in place. 
     The user may adjust the width of garment  14  by tying either opposing shoulder ties  100  or waist ties  110  together. In addition, the length of front side  30  of garment  14  may be lengthened. The user or an assistant must simply grasp bottom edge  52  of front side  30  of garment  14  and pull bottom edge  52  away from head portion  26 . Pulling bottom edge  52  causes garment  16  to be pulled away from adhesive  66  that is coupled to inner surface  24  of garment  14 . Thus, front side  30  moves from fan-folded position  60  to its normal pre-determined length  56 . 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.