Patent Publication Number: US-8973170-B2

Title: Transport hood including skirt

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a protective head covering, and more particularly, to a transport hood for protecting conveying personnel from exposure to the blood and body fluids of a detainee. In exemplary embodiments, the invention is a transport hood including a top portion and a bottom portion made of an open mesh material, and a loose skirt made of a breathable fabric material. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Each year, the number of detainees who are infected with the Human Immune Virus (HIV), Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other communicable diseases increases dramatically. The transportation of detainees, such as prisoners, invariably results in moments of high stress, duress and emotion. During these moments, the detainee may resist the conveying personnel, and thus become injured to the extent that the detainee bleeds from around the mouth and/or nose. In addition, the detainee may intentionally or accidently issue body fluids, such as spit or vomit, onto the conveying personnel as a weapon of last resort against restraint. Accordingly, personnel who convey detainees must take care to avoid contact with the detainee&#39;s blood and body fluids. 
     Protective head coverings, known as transport hoods, have long been utilized to constrain detainees, and to protect the conveying personnel from the detainee as well as to protect the detainee from the surrounding environment. However, prior transport hoods include a discrete opening adjacent the eyes of the detainee. Thus, conveying personnel are required to take additional time to orient the opening provided in the transport hood with the eyes of the detainee. The additional time that the conveying personnel are in close proximity to the detainee increases the risk that the conveying personnel may come in contact with the blood and/or body fluids of the detainee. Further, the discrete opening restricts the vision of the detainee and prevents the conveying personnel from observing the head of the detainee from all angles. 
     A protective head covering is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,186,703 to Sullivan. Sullivan discloses a protective head covering, or hood, for use by an operator of a baling press or threshing machine. The Sullivan hood shields the head, eyes, nose, mouth and neck of the operator from dust and small particles of debris, such as straw. However, the Sullivan hood includes a pair of discrete openings that must be oriented adjacent the eyes of the operator and is not intended to prevent bacteria, blood and body fluids of the operator from being projected into the surrounding environment. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,408 to Singer discloses a protective head covering for use as a surgical mask and hood. The Singer mask and hood protects the wearer from bacteria, blood and body fluids in the surrounding environment, and prevents bacteria, blood and body fluids issued by the wearer from being dispersed into the surrounding environment. However, the Singer mask and hood likewise includes a discrete opening that must be oriented with the eyes of the wearer, and does not permit the head of the wearer to be observed from any angle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,262 to Cominsky discloses a transport hood for protecting conveying personnel from exposure to the body fluids of a detainee. The transport hood disclosed by the Cominsky &#39;262 patent includes a top portion and a bottom portion each constructed of a different material. The top portion is substantially transparent. The bottom portion is made of a breathable plastic or fabric cloth which is impervious to blood and body fluids issued by the detainee. The top portion of the transport hood covers the head of the detainee to just below the eyes and the bottom portion covers the head of the detainee from just below the eyes to just below the chin. A first length of elastic joins the top portion to the bottom portion just below the eyes of the detainee to gather the top portion and hold the transport hood securely on the head of the detainee. A second length of elastic is provided on the lowermost edge of the bottom portion to secure the transport hood about the neck of the detainee. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,203 to Cominsky discloses a cinching grommet for use with the transport hood of the Cominsky &#39;262 patent. The cinching grommet disclosed by the Cominsky &#39;203 patent is a thin disk made of a flexible plastic material having at least one opening formed therethrough for receiving an excess amount of the material of the top portion of the transport hood. The cinching grommet grasps and secures the excess material of the top portion so that the transport hood is properly positioned on the head of the detainee with the lowermost edge of the top portion and the uppermost edge of the bottom portion just below the eyes of the detainee. 
     The transport hood taught by the aforementioned Cominsky patents has been well received by law enforcement agencies as being effective for protecting conveying personnel from exposure to the blood and body fluids of a detainee. In certain instances, however, the bottom portion of the transport hood being impervious to blood and body fluids could cause discomfort to the detainee. In particular, vomit ejected from the mouth of the detainee may accumulate within the bottom portion of the transport hood in the event that conveying personnel improperly position or improperly secure the transport hood onto the head of the detainee. If conveying personnel allow a substantial amount of vomit or spit to accumulate within the bottom portion of the transport hood, the detainee could experience difficulty breathing and potentially be rendered unconscious due to oxygen deprivation (hypoxia). Unless conveying personnel utilize the transport hood as intended and properly address the aforementioned situation, the detainee could potentially suffer a hypoxic brain injury and/or cardiac arrest. 
     As is now apparent, a transport hood for protecting conveying personnel from the blood and body fluids of a detainee is needed that not only prevents blood and body fluids issued by the detainee from being spread into the surrounding environment, but also protects the detainee from discomfort and potential breathing difficulty. The present invention, as described in detail herein, provides a transport hood that protects conveying personnel from the blood and body fluids of a detainee, while at the same time avoiding potential discomfort and breathing difficulty to the detainee that could result from blood or body fluids being retained within the transport hood. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a transport hood used to cover the head of a person who is being detained, referred to herein as a “detainee,” such as a prisoner being held in custody by law enforcement personnel. Detainees are subject to carrying, and possibly spreading, bacteria, pathogens, and infectious and contagious diseases which are communicated through contact with blood or body fluids. The transport hood acts as a barrier between the blood and body fluids of the detainee and the surrounding environment to protect personnel who transport, or convey, the detainee while in custody. The transport hood also acts to avoid discomfort to the detainee and potential breathing difficulty that could result if blood or body fluids are retained within the transport hood. 
     A transport hood according to the invention includes a top portion and a bottom portion each constructed of a substantially transparent material, such as an open mesh plastic or fabric cloth separated by a first length of elastic. The top portion and the bottom portion may be formed as a single dome-shaped component, or alternatively as illustrated by the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein, separate components joined together at the first length of elastic. The transport hood further includes a skirt that is attached to the top portion and/or the bottom portion at the first length of elastic. The skirt is made of a breathable plastic or fabric cloth that is impervious to blood and body fluids issued by the detainee. 
     The top portion of the transport hood covers the head of the detainee to just below the eyes. The bottom portion of the transport hood covers the head of the detainee from just below the eyes to just below the chin. The top portion and the bottom portion are joined together by a first length of elastic at a lowermost edge of the top portion and an uppermost edge of the bottom portion. As a result, the top portion and the bottom portion are not easily separated (e.g. torn apart) under normal conditions of wear and use. The first length of elastic gathers the top and bottom portions of the transport hood together and is sufficiently elastic to hold the hood securely on the head of the detainee, without being painful or particularly restraining. 
     A second length of elastic is provided on the lowermost edge of the bottom portion of the transport hood. The second length of elastic is sufficiently elastic to allow the transport hood to be stretched easily over the head of the detainee, while securing the hood around the neck of the detainee without causing discomfort or restricting the breathing of the detainee. 
     The open mesh material of the top portion of the transport hood does not inhibit the detainee&#39;s vision. In addition, the open mesh material of the top portion permits conveying personnel to observe the head of the detainee from any angle. The open mesh material of the bottom portion and the breathable material of the skirt of the transport hood do not inhibit the detainee&#39;s breathing. In addition, the first length of elastic and the second length of elastic of the transport hood prevent the detainee from easily removing the transport hood with his or her arms restrained. 
     The impervious material of the skirt of the transport hood protects conveying personnel from exposure to the blood and body fluids of the detainee. Although the use of rubber gloves is now mandatory for most conveying personnel, gloves protect only the hands of the conveying personnel from exposure to the detainee&#39;s blood and body fluids. The impervious nature of the skirt of the transport hood prevents blood and body fluids that issue from the nose and mouth of the detainee from being communicated to the conveying personnel. Accordingly, the transport hood significantly reduces the risk that conveying personnel may be infected with communicable diseases, such as HIV and AIDS, spread through contact with the blood or body fluids of a detainee. If desired, the transport hood may be intended to be disposed after a single use to ensure that the blood or body fluids from one detainee are not spread to another detainee. 
     The transport hood of the present invention also avoids potential discomfort and/or breathing difficulty to the detainee as a result of blood and/or body fluids being retained within the transport hood. More particularly, the open mesh material of the bottom portion along with the skirt being attached to and extending downwardly from the first length of elastic without being attached to the second length of elastic prevents blood and/or body fluids, such as vomit, from being retained within the transport hood. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompany drawing figures, wherein like reference characters are used to identify the same or similar parts, components, features or elements of the invention in the various views. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a transport hood according to the invention showing the top portion and the bottom portion of the transport hood with the skirt removed for purposes of clarity. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the transport hood of  FIG. 1  including the skirt. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the transport hood of  FIG. 2  taken along the line indicated by  3 - 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawing figures,  FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a protective head covering, referred to herein as a transport hood,  10  according to the invention shown with a portion of the transport hood removed for purposes of clarity. The transport hood  10  is generally dome-shaped, and thus, is substantially symmetric about a longitudinal axis L. The transport hood  10  comprises a top portion  12  and a bottom portion  14 . If desired, the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  14  may be formed as a single dome-shaped component. Alternatively, the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  14  may be formed as separate components and joined together. As shown in FIG.  1 , a lowermost edge of the top portion  12  is joined to an uppermost edge of the bottom portion  14  by a first length of an elastic material  16  that extends around the circumference of the transport hood  10 . Also as shown in  FIG. 1 , a second length of elastic material  18  extends around the circumference of the transport hood  10  at the lowermost edge of the bottom portion  14 . The transport hood  10  is configured to be placed over the head of a detainee D, such as a prisoner. 
     As shown, the top portion  12  of the transport hood  10  covers the head H of the detainee D from just below the eyes, for example at the bridge of the nose, upwards to the top of the head. In the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein the top portion  12  is made of a substantially transparent material, and more particularly, a plastic or fabric cloth open mesh  13 . In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the top portion  12  is made of a fine mesh nylon material. The size of the openings provided in the mesh  13  are large enough to not inhibit the vision or the breathing of the detainee D, but are not large enough to interfere with the facial features (e.g., eyes, nose, ears, etc.) of the detainee or to allow the detainee to reposition the transport hood  10  with his or her arms restrained. 
     As shown, the bottom portion  14  covers the head H and a portion of the neck N of the detainee D from below the eyes, for example at the bridge of the nose, downwards to the neck. The bottom portion  14  is likewise made of a substantially transparent material, and more particularly, a plastic or fabric cloth open mesh  13 . In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the bottom portion  14  is made of a fine mesh nylon material. The size of the openings provided in the mesh  13  are large enough to not inhibit the vision or the breathing of the detainee D, but are not large enough to interfere with the facial features (e.g., nose, mouth, etc.) of the detainee or to allow the detainee to reposition the transport hood  10  with his or her arms restrained. 
     The first length of elastic  16  is preferably sewn to the lowermost edge of the top portion  12  and to the uppermost edge of the bottom portion  14  so that the top and bottom portions are not easily torn apart under conditions of normal wear and use. The first length of elastic  16  gathers the top portion  12  of the transport hood  10  just below the eyes of the detainee D to retain the transport hood loosely on the head H of the detainee without being uncomfortable or unreasonably restraining. The second length of elastic  18  is preferably sewn to the lowermost edge  15  of the bottom portion  14  of the transport hood  10 . The second length of elastic  18  may have substantially the same length as the first length of elastic  16 , but preferably, has a shorter length and/or greater elasticity. Regardless, the second length of elastic  18  is long enough or elastic enough to allow the transport hood  10  to be easily stretched over the head of the detainee D and to subsequently secure the transport hood around the neck N of the detainee D without being uncomfortable or interfering with the ability of the detainee to breathe. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the transport hood  10  shown with a skirt  20  provided to protect conveying personnel, such as law enforcement personnel, from exposure to the blood and body fluids of the detainee D. The skirt  20  also avoids any potential discomfort and/or breathing difficulty experienced by the detainee D as a result of blood and/or body fluids of the detainee being retained within the transport hood  10 . The skirt  20  is attached, for example sewn, to the top portion  12  and/or the bottom portion  14  at the first length of elastic  16 . Alternatively, the skirt  20  may be attached only to the first length of elastic  16  separate from the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  14 . Regardless, the skirt  20  is made of a breathable plastic or fabric cloth  23  that is impervious to bacteria borne by blood and body fluids that are issued by the detainee D. The impervious plastic or fabric cloth  23  of the skirt  20  is in contrast to the plastic or fabric cloth open mesh  13  of the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  14  that is not impervious to blood and body fluids of the detainee D. The skirt  20  may be made of a substantially transparent, translucent or opaque material. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the skirt  20  is made of a substantially opaque polypropylene cloth  23  of the type commonly used in medical and surgical apparel that includes additional properties to provide an effective barrier against pathogens borne by blood and body fluids. Furthermore, the skirt  20  may comprise two or more layers made of the same or different materials. Regardless, the cloth  23  of the skirt  20  is breathable so that it does not significantly restrict or interfere with the ability of the detainee D to breathe normally. 
     As best shown in the sectional view of  FIG. 3 , the skirt  20  hangs loosely from the first length of elastic  16  just below the eyes of the detainee D and downwards to about the neck N of the detainee. Importantly, the skirt  20  of the transport hood  10  is configured to cover at least the nose and the mouth of the detainee D, and thereby, the impervious nature of the material of the skirt protects conveying personnel from any blood and/or body fluids that may be expelled from the nose or the mouth of the detainee. At the same time, the skirt  23  is not secured around the neck N of the detainee D, and therefore, avoids the possibility that any blood and/or body fluids expelled from the nose or the mouth of the detainee D will be retained within the transport hood  10 . In particular, the skirt  20  is configured to hang loosely about the neck N of the detainee D with the lowermost edge  25  of the skirt  20  not attached to the lowermost edge  15  of the bottom portion  14  so that vomit expelled from the mouth and/or nose of the detainee is unlikely to be retained within the transport hood  10  by the skirt, and thereby cause discomfort to the detainee and/or potential breathing difficulty. As a result, possible injury to the detainee D as a result of unconsciousness and/or hypoxia is avoided. 
     A transport hood  10  according to the present invention may also comprise an optional cinching grommet  30  of the type shown and described in the aforementioned Cominsky &#39;203 patent issued to the same inventor. The cinching grommet  30  has an opening formed therethrough configured to receive an amount of the top portion  12  of the transport hood  10  sufficient to position the first length of elastic  16 , and consequently, the uppermost edge of skirt  20  just below the eyes of the detainee D, for example at the bridge of the nose. The cinching grommet  30  gathers and secures the appropriate amount the top portion  12  of the transport hood  10  so that the skirt  20  is properly positioned for the particular size and shape of the head H of the detainee D with the transport hood secured thereon. In this manner the skirt  20  effectively protects conveying personnel from exposure to, or from contact with, blood and/or body fluids of the detainee D, while at the same time avoiding potential discomfort and/or breathing difficulty to the detainee. 
     Exemplary embodiments of a transport hood according to the present invention for protecting conveying personnel, while avoiding potential discomfort and breathing difficulty to a detainee have been shown and described herein. However, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited in any manner to the exemplary embodiments or by the description and/or illustration of the exemplary embodiments provided herein. Instead, the present invention, and in particular the appended claims, are intended to be given the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the written description and accompany drawing figures.