GB2227931A

GB2227931A - Protective enclosure

Info

Publication number: GB2227931A
Application number: GB8909019A
Authority: GB
Inventors: W * Coghill Roger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-02-10
Filing date: 1989-04-20
Publication date: 1990-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-20
Also published as: GB8903003D0; GB2227931B; GB8909019D0

Abstract

An enclosure 10 which may be placed about a bed or cot 26 comprises a ground sheet 14, an overcurtain 12 and a support framework 16. The ground sheet 14 and overcurtain 12 are formed from electrically conductive material such as metalised fabric and/or metal mesh and electrically earthed. The use of electrically earthed material shields the interior of the enclosure from the electrical component of ambient electromagnetic fields and the use of mesh material allows free circulation of air to ventilate the interior of the enclosure. The metal may be copper, silver or gold. The framework (16) may comprise a telescopic ridge pole and telescopic legs pivotally connected at their upper ends to the ridge pole. Means, e.g. flaps or vents (18), may be provided for allowing access to the interior of the enclosure. A pad of electrically conductive material may be placed under the pillow of an infant sleeping in the cot, which pad is electrically connected to a similar pad placed under the mother's pillow. Instead of a complete enclosure, the shield may be in the form of an overblanket or canopy of electrically earthed electrically conductive material. <IMAGE>

Description

PROlEOnVE ENCII3SURE The present invention relates to protective apparatus and in particular to apparatus providing shielding against electrical fields propagating by electromagnetic radiation.

Within the last century the use of electrical energy, particularly in developed countries, has increased rapidly.

This has resulted in a great increase in the levels of electromagnetic fields in the environment to which the population is exposed. It is becoming apparent that the electrical component of these fields may have a damaging effect on brain function particularly when a person is asleep, possibly leading to a variety of immune disorders. The effect may be responsible for sudden unexpected death during infancy, and a variety of other disorders in adults such as myalgic encephalomyelitis and acquired human and mammalian immune deficiency syndromes.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a protective apparatus for placing on or over a bed or cot thereby shielding a person in the bed or cot from the electrical component of ambient electromagnetic fields, comprising a shield formed of electrically conductive material, which is electrically earthed.

The protective covering may be a simple overblanket or canopy of electrically earthed material, or a complete enclosure surrounding the bed or cot. Such an enclosure may be constructed in the form of a tent, having a ground sheet and inclined side portions supported by a rigid framework. The ground sheet may be made of metal, metalised fabric or metal mesh and electrically earthed. The sides may be made from electrically-conductive mesh, electrically earthed and sufficient to shield the interior of the enclosure from the electrical component of electromagnetic fields, whilst allowing air to pass freely to ventilate the interior of the enclosure. A preferred form of mesh is made of knitted or woven metal, preferably copper, silver or gold. The enclosure is arranged so that it totally surrounds the person in the bed or cot.

The protective covering, particularly in the form of an enclosure provides protection for the user, whether an adult or infant, when resting or sleeping. It is believed that shielding against the electrical component of electromagnetic fields is particularly desirable during infancy when the brains myelination is incomplete; that is to say before completion of the insulating layer of myelin about the axons of the central nervous system.

One preferred embodiment in the form of an enclosure will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accopanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of the upper portion of the enclosure; Fig. 2 shows a ground sheet for use with the upper portion of fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a collapsable frame which supports the upper portion of fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the enclosure assembled about a bed.

Referring initially to figures 1-3, the protective enclosure 10 comprises an upper portion or overcurtain 12 and a ground sheet or underblanket 14. In use the overcurtain 12 is supported by a collapsable frame 16. The overcurtain 12, which made from flexible fine copper mesh, is provided with inspection flaps 18 which may be lifted to allow access to the interior of the enclosure.

The flaps 18 are made of rectangular pieces of copper mesh material placed over rectangular openings in the overcurtain 16 and secured to the overcurtain along their upper edges.

The side and lower edges of the flaps overlap the edges of the opening when the flaps are down so as to provide a complete electrical screen.

An electrical connection between the copper mesh and a point at earth potential is provided by earthing cable 20. The earth connection may be provided in any conventional manner, for example by wire connection to a water pipe or by wire connection to a metal stake driven into the ground outside.

The underblanket 14 is of metalised fabric with a number of small holes 22 in it and is also provided with a earthing cable 24. In use, the two earthing cables 20, 24 may be connected together and to a further cable extending to the earthing point.

A perspective view of the assembled enclosure 10 is shown in figure 4. The underblanket 14 is layed out and a cot or bed 26 placed upon it. The collapsable frame 16 is assembled over the cot 26 with each of the feet 28 of the frame on the underblanket 14. When the infant which it is desired to protect has been placed in the cot 26, the overcurtain 12 is draped over the frame 16 and attached to the underblanket 14 so that they overlap. The earthing cables 20, 24 from the overcurtain and underblanket are then connected to a suitable earthing point.

As can be seen in fig. 3, the frame 16 is formed with a telescopic ridge pole 30 and telescopic legs 32. The legs are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the ends of the ridge pole. When the enclosure is not in use the legs and ridge pole can be shortened telescopically and the legs can be pivoted towards the ridge pole for storage. The telescopic ridge pole and legs also enable the size of the enclosure to be adjusted to suit the size of the cot or bed.

The provision of inspection flaps 18 in the overcurtain 12 allows for inspection of the infant without having to partially disassemble the enclosure. Additionally, the use of a conductive mesh for the overcurtain allows air to circulate freely, ventilating the interior of the enclosure whilst shielding the occupant from ambient electromagnetic fields.

As an alternative means of allowing access to the interior, vents with overlapping edges may be provided in the overcurtain.

It is considered that additional benefit may be obtained if a small pad of mesh placed in proximity to the mother, is connected electrically to a similar pad in the proximity of the sleeping baby. Such a pad would be within and electrically insulated fran the enclosure. Conveniently a square of copper mesh approximately 12. Sans X 12.5 ans placed under the pillow of the mother may be used and connected to a similar pad under the pillow in the baby's cot by means of an externally insulated wire. Such a link would allow the cerebral morphogenic radiation from the mother's brain to reach the sleeping infant undistorted. Additionally, the link would allow the cerebral signals from the infant to be monitored by the irother although out of proximity.

The mesh size of the overcurtain should be sufficiently large to allow an adequate through-flow of air but not so large as to allow electromagnetic radiation to penetrate the enclosure.

Claims

1. Protective apparatus for placing on or over a bed or cot thereby shielding a person in the bed or cot from the electrical component of ambient electromagnetic fields, comprising a shield formed of electrically conductive material, which is electrically earthed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the shield is in the form of an over-blanket of electrically earthed flexible conductive material.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the shield is an enclosure within which the bed or cot may be placed.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the enclosure is formed from a ground sheet on which the bed or cot may be placed and an upper portion extending over the bed or cot and in which the edges of the ground sheet and upper portion overlap.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which the electrically conductive material is flexible conductive mesh material.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 in which the upper portion extending over the bed or cot is supported by a framework.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the framework is collapsable.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 in which the size of the framework is adjustable.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the framework includes a telescopic ridge pole and telescopic legs pivotally connected at their upper ends to the ridge pole.

10. Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 9 in which means are provided in the electrically conductive material for allowing access to the interior of the enclosure.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the means comprise flaps overlapping openings in the electrically conductive material.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the means comprise vents.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the shield is formed of one or more pieces of electrically conductive metal sheet material.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the shield is formed of one or more pieces of electrically conductive metalised fabric material.

15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the shield is formed of one or more pieces of electrically conductive metal mesh material.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which the metal mesh is of copper, silver or gold mesh or any combination thereof.

17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim including a pad of electrically conductive material to be positioned adjacent the head of an infant sleeping in the bed or cot, the pad being electrically connected to a similar pad to be positioned adjacent the head of the infants mother.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 in which each pad is a panel of electrically conductive metal mesh material.

19. Apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18 in which the electrically connected pads are electrically isolated from the conductive material of the shield.

20. A method of protecting a person from the electrical component of ambient electromagnetic fields by placing the person in an electrically conductive enclosure or blanket which is electrically earthed.

21. A method according to claim 20 comprising placing a shield according to any of claims 1 to 16 or around the bed or cot in which the person is sleeping.

22. An assembly of a protective covering according to any of claims 1 to 16 and a cot or bed.

23. A protective covering substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accampanying drawings.