AU2016100701A4

AU2016100701A4 - Radiation protective apron

Info

Publication number: AU2016100701A4
Application number: AU2016100701A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Meiying Zhang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-05-22
Filing date: 2016-05-22
Publication date: 2016-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2024-05-22

Abstract

A radiation protective apron (10) comprises a rear part (11) joined at each side to respective left and right front parts (14) (15). One of said front parts (14) has a flap portion (16) which in use extends rearwardly over the opposite shoulder (20) to a rear shoulder region, and is attached to this region by fastener means (17). 10o 22 Figure 1

Description

RADIATION PROTECTIVE APRON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a radiation protective apron such as is used by medical personnel for example doctors and radiographers when carrying out medical tests using radiation for example X-rays.

[0002] A problem with these protective aprons is that it is desirable that they be made from a leaded material which can absorb the radiation, however, this makes the aprons heavy and it is desirable that the weight of the apron is distributed properly on a user so as to prevent postural problems particularly back discomfort for the wearer.

[0003] It is also desirable that the apron is of knee length at both the front and rear of a person and further, it is desirable that the apron is readily put on by a user.

[0004] One known type of apron comprises a rear portion and a front portion the front portion being connected to the rear portion along one side, the opposite side being open and the front portion adjacent said opposite side and in the region of the front of one shoulder, being attached by fastener means to a shoulder pad which extends over the shoulder from the rear portion to the front of the shoulder.

[0005] A problem with this known type of apron is that because the front portion is only attached to the rear portion at the front part of the shoulder region, the weight of the front portion tends to be carried by the front part of the shoulder and generally acts to pull this shoulder downwards which is uncomfortable for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a radiation protective apron which is readily put on and which is comfortable to wear.

[0007] According to the invention there is provided a radiation protective apron comprising, a rear part joined at each side to respective left and right front parts, one of said front parts having a flap portion which in use extends rearwardly over an adjacent shoulder, to a rear shoulder region, and is attached to this region by fastener means..

[0008] In another preferred embodiment, the flap portion is preferably formed as a continuation of the left front part, the left front part in use substantially overlapping the right front part such that in the region of the front part of the wearer there is provided increased protection from radiation.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment, the right front part is attachable to the innermost left side of the back part by a support means to provide support for the right front part.

[0010] In another preferred embodiment, the front parts are releasably attachable to the rear part along each side of the rear part at least along a lower region of the apron.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, in the support means comprises a belt fixed to the right front part and a buckle fixed to the innermost side of the back part.

[0012] The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Fig.l is a front perspective view of an apron according to the invention in an open configuration; [0014] Fig.2 is a front perspective view of the apron of Fig.l in a closed configuration; [0015] Fig.3 is a rear perspective view of the apron shown in Fig.2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Referring now to the drawings wherein similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts, there is shown therein a radiation protective apron generally indicated at 10 according to the invention. The apron 10 comprises a rear part 11 joined at each side 12,13 to respective left and right front parts 14,15. The left front part 14 has a flap portion 16 which forms a continuation of the front part, the flap 16 having a strip of fastener material 17 on its inner surface. The right front part 15 and the innermost left side 12 of the rear part 11 has a support means comprising a pair of cords 18 which can be tied together by a user of the apron to help support the right side 15 in position across the front of the user. The cords 18 are arranged so as to be tied together around the mid-trunk region of the user.

[0017] With the cords 18 tied, the rear part 11 carries the weight of the right front part 15. It will be understood that the cords 18 may be substituted by a suitable buckle and belt (not shown). The inner surface of the left side part 14 and the outer surface of the right side part 15 have a pair of complementary strips 19 so that when the apron is in use the left side part 14 can be fastened to the right side part 15. As shown, in this position the left side part 14 substantially overlaps the right side part 15 so that the user has a double layer of the lead vinyl material at the front which provides increased protection.

[0018] Further, as shown the flap portion 16 in use extends rearwardly over a shoulder 20 to a rear shoulder region 20' and the strip 17 is attached to a complementary strip (not shown) fixed to the rear shoulder region 20'. As the flap 16 is attached to the rear of the shoulder region 20 rather than the front, it is more difficult for the flap to become disengaged from the rear of the shoulder region. The weight of the left front part 14 is carried by the strip 17. The apron 10 has appropriate apertures 21 for the arms and head of a user. The left and right sides 14,15 may be partially joined to the rear part 11 by means of strips 22 (indicated in dotted outline) so that the lower part of the apron 10 may be opened to permit greater ease of movement by the user.

Claims

1. A radiation protective apron comprising a rear part joined at each side to respective left and right front parts, one of said front parts having a flap portion which in use extends rearwardly over an adjacent shoulder, to a rear shoulder region, and is attached to this region by fastener means.

2. A radiation protective apron as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the flap portion is preferably formed as a continuation of the left front part, the left front part in use substantially overlapping the right front part such that in the region of the front part of the wearer there is provided increased protection from radiation.

3. A radiation protective apron according to claim 1, wherein the right front part is attachable to the innermost left side of the back part by a support means to provide support for the right front part.

4. A radiation protective apron according to claim 3, wherein the front parts are releasably attachable to the rear part along each side of the rear part at least along a lower region of the apron.

5. A radiation protective apron according to claim 3, wherein in the support means comprises a belt fixed to the right front part and a buckle fixed to the innermost side of the back part.