GB2594725A

GB2594725A - A face shield

Info

Publication number: GB2594725A
Application number: GB2006640.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clare Matt
Original assignee: Interact Design Ltd
Current assignee: Interact Design Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-05
Filing date: 2020-05-05
Publication date: 2021-11-10
Also published as: GB202006640D0

Abstract

Apparatus for releasably clamping a face shield comprises a first face shield clamping member 20 and a second face shield clamping member 40. A portion of a face shield (150, fig.8) is clamped between these members. An integrated mechanical engagement mechanism 51 allows the clamping members to be engaged together and locks them in a first configuration where movement relative to each other is substantially inhibited. When the integrated mechanical engagement mechanism is moved to an unlocked configuration the first clamping member can be disengaged from the second clamping member and the face shield can be removed. The clamping members are preferably biased away from each other. Together they may form a U-shaped channel 80 for receiving the face shield. The face shield may have a tab portion (152, fig. 8) which is clamped by the members. The integrated mechanical engagement mechanism may be moved in a first and second direction to lock the clamping members together. The apparatus may be attached to a headband, hat, cap or helmet. A face shield assembly, a method of forming a face shield assembly, and a method of releasing a face shield are also claimed.

Description

A FACE SHIELD

The invention relates to a face shield for protecting a human face. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention provides a face shield clamping apparatus for releasably clamping a human face shield thereto, a face shield assembly including a removeable face shield, a method for forming a face shield assembly and a method of releasing a face shield from a face shield assembly. The face shield assembly may be used to protect the face of a human being from solids and fluids. The face shield assembly may be used in medical applications, such as by medical staff in hospitals (e.g. nurses, doctors and surgeons) and dentists. The face shield assembly may also be used in non-medical applications, such as hazardous materials handling, the construction industry, welding operations and sporting activities.

Safety is of the utmost concern in many occupations, especially where flying debris and fluids may contact an individual's face Infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites and the like are typically transmitted from person to person by direct or indirect contact. Types of direct contact include person-to-person contact where an infected person touches or exchanges bodily fluids with someone else, and the spray of droplets during coughing and sneezing.

Infectious diseases can also be spread indirectly through the air and other mechanisms e.g. airborne transmission and via contaminated objects when organisms can live on an object and a person touches the infected object. In the medical and healthcare environment it is essential to prevent transmission of infectious diseases, especially from an infected patient to medical staff and to other non-infected persons/patients.

It is therefore important to provide protection for medical staff to help prevent them from being infected with an infectious disease when treating or caring for an infected patient. It is also important to ensure that medical staff who have treated or cared for an infected patient do not transmit infection to a separate subsequent patient. Accordingly, medical staff may be issued with personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a face shield assembly to prevent fluids from contacting their face, thereby helping to mitigate ingestion and absorption of infectious bodily fluids (e.g. the spray of droplets) from an infected patient. To reduce the risk of further transmission of an infectious disease by medical staff from one patient to another patient, the protective face shield assembly must be either replaced or thoroughly sterilised between each subsequent patient.

Typically, a protective face shield assembly may be of single-piece construction or it may include multiple separate pieces, e.g. a separable face shield and separate frame support.

Although the single-piece construction design is relatively straightforward and inexpensive to manufacture, it suffers from disadvantages, for example, it is difficult to package arid transport in large quantities and it is not easily sterilisable in desirable bulk quantities, as it cannot be disassembled and packed tightly together (e.g. it cannot be flat packed). Accordingly, when the single piece construction design is employed it is invariably disposed of by a medical practitioner immediately after treating or caring for a patient and replaced with a new complete face shield assembly before attending to a different patient. This creates additional expense for the healthcare provider and may create a shortage of available protective face shields.

Typically, multi-piece face shield assemblies are easier to package and transport in large quantities, and they are more easily sterili sable in desirable bulk quantities, than the single-piece construction design, as they can be disassembled and the component parts packed tightly together (e.g. flat packed). Suitably, to prevent transmission of an infectious disease from patient to patient by a medical practitioner the multi-piece design having a separable face shield allows replacement of the face shield part only when moving from patient to patient A major drawback of current multi-piece face shield designs resides in the increased complexity of the design compared with single-piece designs. For example, a face shield assembly having a separable face shield and a separate frame support typically includes an intricate and/or specific type of attachment mechanism to attach the face shield to the frame support, for example, the use of retaining screws that pass through machined inserts in the face shield into corresponding aligned threaded inserts on the frame support, or various machined inserts on the face shield which cooperate and engage with corresponding aligned hooks on the frame support. Accordingly, each type of multi-piece face shield assembly having a separable face shield part typically requires a bespoke face shield part, as the frame support and face shield have mutually cooperating attachment means. Suitably, a face shield part of one type of multi-piece face shield assembly is typically not mutually interchangeable with a face shield part of a different multi-piece design. Such design limitations not only increase manufacturing costs but also limit supply options of replacement parts for the end user, which may create a shortage of available face shield assemblies.

A further problem with known multi-piece face shield designs having a separable face shield part resides in removing the face shield part from the frame support. Although the multi-piece design permits the face shield part to be removed and replaced with a fresh face shield part, e.g. by a medical practitioner when moving from patient to patient, this is usually a two-handed operation and/or it is necessary to hold or touch the face shield part being disposed of before attaching a fresh shield pail. This is not only cumbersome and inconvenient, but it increases the likelihood of infectious disease transmission in a medical environment due to cross-contamination of the fresh shield part The present invention aims to solve some of these technical problems associated with a face shield for protecting a human face.

In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides a face shield clamping apparatus for releasably clamping a human face shield thereto, the face shield damping apparatus being dimensioned and configured to allow the apparatus to fit a human head and extend substantially laterally across substantially the entire forehead, the apparatus comprising a support/body including an integrated first face shield clamping member and a second integrated face shield clamping member, wherein the first damping member is aligned with and cooperates with second said clamping member to allow a portion of a human face shield to be clamped between said first and second clamping members in a fixed position, the first clamping member is moveable relative to the second clamping member, wherein the apparatus includes an integrated mechanical engagement mechanism to allow the first clamping member to be engaged with and disengaged from said second clamping member, the mechanical engagement mechanism being operable between a locked configuration and unlocked configuration, wherein in the locked configuration said first clamping member engages said second clamping member and a movement of said first clamping member relative to said second clamping member is substantially inhibited, preferably substantially prevented, to allow said first and second clamping members to clamp a portion of a human face shield in a fixed position, and in the unlocked configuration said first clamping member is disengaged from said second clamping member to allow release of said face shield from said first and second clamping members.

Suitably, the face shield securing apparatus includes an integrated adjustable clamping mechanism to clamp a portion of a face shield thereto. Suitably the adjustable damping mechanism comprises the first and second clamping members and the mechanical engagement mechanism. Suitably, the first clamping member is aligned with and configured to cooperate with said second clamping member.

Suitably, the term integrated" with reference to a technical feature of the face shield clamping apparatus means that technical feature forms an integral part of the apparatus and is not removeable from the apparatus.

Suitably, the apparatus is configured in a substantially concave shape, especially a substantially concave shape to allow the apparatus to follow substantially the contours of a human forehead, thereby allowing the apparatus to be placed on a human forehead.

Suitably, the apparatus has a width (i.e. the maximum dimension of the apparatus) of less than 400 mm, preferably less than 350 mm, more preferably less than 300 mm.

Suitably, the apparatus has a width (i.e. the maximum dimension of the apparatus) of greater than 125 mm, preferably greater than 150 mm, more preferably greater than 175 mm, even more preferably greater than 200 mm.

Suitably, when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the unlocked configuration, the first clamping member is moveable relative to the second clamping member.

Suitably, when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the unlocked configuration, the first clamping member is moveable relative to the second clamping member in at least one direction of movement selected from movement in the X axis of a theoretical plane of the second clamping member and movement in the Y axis of a theoretical plane of the second clamping member.

Preferably, when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the unlocked configuration, the first clamping member is moveable relative to the second clamping member in a direction combining movement in the X axis of a theoretical plane of the second clamping member and movement in the Y axis of a theoretical plane of the second clamping member.

Suitably, when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the locked configuration, a movement of the first clamping member in a direction relative to the second clamping member is inhibited, preferably prevented.

Suitably, when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the locked configuration, the first clamping member is moveable in a direction of movement relative to the second clamping, preferably moveable in a single direction of movement relative to the second clamping member.

Preferably, when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the locked configuration, movement of the first clamping member relative to the second clamping member is inhibited, preferably prevented, in at least one direction, preferably only one direction, selected from movement in the X axis of a theoretical plane of the second clamping member and movement in the Y axis of a theoretical plane of the second clamping member.

In a preferred embodiment, when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the unlocked configuration the first clamping member is moveable relative to the second clamping member in a direction combining movement in the X axis of a theoretical plane of the second clamping member and movement in the Y axis of a theoretical plane 5 of the second clamping member, and when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the locked configuration movement of the first clamping member relative to the second clamping member is inhibited, preferably prevented, in a direction of movement in the X axis of a theoretical plane of the second clamping member (i.e. in the locked configuration the first clamping member is moveable relative to the second clamping 10 member in a direction of movement in the Y axis of a theoretical plane of the second clamping member).

Suitably, the mechanical engagement mechanism is operable from the unlocked configuration to locked configuration by relative movement of said first and second clamping members Suitably, the mechanical engagement mechanism is operable from the unlocked configuration to locked configuration by movement of said first clamping member in a direction of movement towards said second clamping member.

Suitably, the mechanical engagement mechanism is operable from the locked configuration to unlocked configuration by relative movement of said first and second clamping members.

Suitably, the mechanical engagement mechanism is operable from the locked configuration to unlocked configuration by movement of said first clamping member in a direction of movement away from second clamping member.

Suitably, the mechanical engagement mechanism is operable from the locked to unlocked configuration by application of a manual force to the mechanical engagement mechanism when in the locked configuration. Preferably, the manual force may be applied by a single hand of a user.

The face shield clamping apparatus of the invention is used to form a human face shield assembly having a separable face shield part. Suitably, the face shield clamping apparatus, and separate face shield part therefor, may be packaged and transported in bulk with relative ease and can be sterilised in desirable bulk quantities (e.g. flat packed). Advantageously, as the face shield clamping apparatus uses an adjustable clamping mechanism to releasably clamp a face shield part thereto, the apparatus does not require a bespoke face shield part and it may be used with many different types, sizes, shapes and thickness of face shield parts. The face shield clamping apparatus provides the end user with desirable increased flexibility and more alternative supply options for sourcing replacement face shield parts. Accordingly, use of the face shield clamping apparatus may mitigate unavailability issues of human face shield assemblies associated with the use of alternative face shield assemblies.

Still further, the face shield clamping apparatus of the invention includes an integrated mechanical engagement mechanism, thereby reducing manufacturing and production costs and simplifying assembly and/or disassembly of a human face shield assembly (i.e. the clamping apparatus including a human face shield). Further, and importantly, the manually operable mechanical engagement mechanism of the apparatus allows the user to release a face shield from the apparatus without having to touch the face shield. This is not only extremely convenient but also significantly reduces the risk of contaminating a fresh face shield being fitted to the apparatus, which is of critical importance if the face shield assembly is being used in a healthcare environment (i.e, where cross-contamination from the old face shield and fresh face shield must be prevented).

Preferably, the first clamping member is hingeably engaged to the support/body at one or more hinged engagement positions of the clamping member. Preferably, the first clamping member is hingeably engaged to the support/body at a single hinged engagement position of the clamping member. Suitably, the hingeable engagement(s) facilitates movement of the first clamping member relative to said second clamping member.

Preferably, the second clamping member is hingeably engaged to the support/body at one or more hinged engagement positions of the clamping member. Preferably, the second clamping member is hingeably engaged to the support/body at a single hinged engagement position of the clamping member. Suitably, the hingeable engagement(s) facilitates movement of the second clamping member relative to said second clamping member.

Preferably, the first and second clamping members are each hingeably engaged to the support/body at a single hinged engagement position of each respective clamping member.

The first and second clamping members may be hingeably engaged to the support/body at one or more different engagement positions of the support. Preferably, the first and second clamping members are hingeably engaged to the support/body at substantially identical one or more engagement positions of the support/body, more preferably at a substantially identical single engagement position of the support/body.

Preferably, the first said clamping member is in the form of a first elongate arm. Preferably, a first end of the first elongate arm is engaged to the support/body, and preferably the elongate arm extends laterally away from the support/body. Preferably, a face of said first elongate arm defines a first clamping plate.

Preferably, the second said clamping member is in the form of a second elongate arm Preferably, a first end of the second elongate arm is engaged to the support/body, and preferably the elongate arm extends laterally away from the support/body and in substantially the same direction as the first elongate arm. Preferably, a face of said second elongate arm defines a second clamping plate.

Suitably, the first clamping plate of the first elongate arm is aligned with and cooperates with the second clamping plate of second said elongate arm. Suitably, the first and second clamping plates are designed to clamp a portion of a face shield in a fixed position.

Suitably, the first and second elongate arms are dimensioned and configured to allow the first elongate arm to be aligned with and cooperate with the second elongate arm.

Preferably, the first clamping member is biased outwardly (i.e. in a direction away from) from second said clamping member. The biasing may be accomplished by biasing means well known to those skilled in the art. A preferred biasing means is achievable by choice of construction material and/or the relative configuration of said first and second clamping members (e.g. by introducing torsion). Suitably, when the first clamping member is biased outwardly from second said clamping member and the mechanical engagement mechanism is operated from a locked configuration to unlocked configuration, the first and second damping members are biased apart, the clamping force applied to a face shield is automatically released, and the face shield is automatically released from the apparatus without the user having to touch the face shield.

Suitably, when said first clamping member is in the form of a first elongate arm and said second clamping member is in the form of a second elongate arm, the integral mechanical engagement mechanism, as defined herein, forms an integral part of each of said arms. Preferably, the mechanical engagement mechanism forms an integral part of and is located substantially at the second end of said first elongate arm and the second end of said second elongate arm.

Suitably, when said first clamping member is in the form of a first elongate arm and said second clamping member is in the form of a second elongate arm, and when said mechanical engagement mechanism is in the unlocked configuration, said first and second elongate arms together form a substantially U-shaped loop configuration and define a channel for receiving a portion of a face shield.

Advantageously, the torsion introduced by the substantially U-shaped loop configuration biases the first and second said elongate arms apart Suitably, when said first clamping member is in the form of a first elongate ania and said second clamping member is in the form of a second elongate arm, each of said arms are configured in a substantially concave shape, especially a substantially concave shape to follow substantially the contours of a human forehead.

Preferably, the face shield clamping apparatus further includes a forehead abutment member to allow a face shield fixed to the apparatus to be spaced, preferably laterally spaced, apart from the human face.

Preferably, the forehead abutment member extends laterally across the face shield clamping apparatus and is laterally spaced apart from said first and second clamping members. Preferably, the forehead abutment member is an elongate forehead abutment member.

Suitably, when said first and/or second clamping member is in the form on an elongate 20 arm, the forehead abutment member may form a bridge of one of said arms.

Suitably, the forehead abutment member may form an integral part of the face shield clamping apparatus or it may be removeable from the apparatus.

Suitably, the forehead abutment member abutment member is configured in a substantially concave shape, especially configured in a substantially concave shape to follow substantially the contours of a human forehead.

The support/body, first and second clamping members and mechanical engagement 30 mechanism are integrally formed 0.e. the first and second clamping members and mechanical engagement mechanism are not removeable from the support/body and form an integral part thereof). Preferably, the support, first and second clamping members and mechanical engagement mechanism are of single-piece construction.

Preferably, the face shield clamping apparatus, as defined herein, is of single-piece construction and integrally formed.

Suitably, the integrated mechanical engagement mechanism may comprise mechanical engagement means forming an integral part of the support/body which is engageable with mechanical engagement means forming an integral part of the first and/or second clamping members.

Preferably, the integrated mechanical engagement mechanism comprises mechanical engagement means forming an integral part of the first clamping member which is engageable with mechanical engagement means forming an integral part of second said clamping member.

Although the apparatus may include two or more separate mechanical engagement mechanisms (e.g. two separate mechanisms associated with the first and second clamping members), preferably the apparatus includes a single mechanical engagement 20 mechanism.

A highly preferred arrangement is where the integrated mechanical engagement mechanism comprises a single mechanical engagement mechanism comprising a mechanical engagement means forming an integral part of the first clamping member which is engageable with a mechanical engagement means forming an integral part of second said clamping member.

Suitably, when said first and/or second clamping members include integrated mechanical engagement means, the mechanical engagement means do not form part of the clamping face(s) of said first and second said clamping members which clamp the portion of the face shield in a fixed position.

Suitably, the mutually engageable mechanical engagement means of first clamping member, second clamping member and/or support comprises a recess and protrusion arrangement, where the protrusion is designed to engage with the recess Preferably, the mechanical engagement mechanism comprises a recess on the first clamping member and a protrusion on said second clamping member, and the protrusion of said first clamping member is designed to engage with recess of second said clamping member.

Suitably, the protrusion of said second clamping member defines a camming member and said first clamping member includes a camming member, and the camming member of said second clamping member is designed to slideably engage the camming member of first said clamping member to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the mechanical engagement mechanism.

More preferably, the mechanical engagement mechanism comprises a recess and a protrusion on the first clamping member and a protrusion and recess on said second clamping member, and the protrusion of said first clamping member is designed to engage with recess of second said clamping member and the recess of said first clamping member is designed to engage with the protrusion of second said clamping member.

Suitably, the protrusion of said first clamping member defines a camming member and the protrusion of said second clamping member defines a camming member, and the camming member of said first clamping member is designed to slideably engage with the camming member of second said clamping member to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the mechanical engagement mechanism.

Suitably, the mechanical engagement mechanism comprises a separable snap joint connector (e.g. a separable snap-fit connector), especially a separable cantilever snap joint connector. Suitably, the mechanical engagement means of said first clamping member and second said clamping member define a separable snap joint connector, especially a separable cantilever snap joint connector.

Suitably, the mechanical engagement means of the first said clamping member includes a camming member and the mechanical engagement means of the second said clamping member includes a camming member, and the camming member of said first clamping member is designed to slideably engage with the camming member of second said clamping member to facilitate engagement and disengagement of said mechanical engagement means.

Preferably, the face shield clamping apparatus includes one or more head attachment means to allow the apparatus to be attached to a human head.

Suitably, the head attachment means may form an integral part of the face shield clamping apparatus Alternatively, the head attachment means may be removeable from the apparatus Suitable head attachment means include an adjustable or non-adjustable head band, an elasticated headband, two or more ties, optionally including a buckle, one or more head hook arms which are shaped to engagingly wrap over the top of the human head, two ear arms (i.e. temples) which are designed to engage with the human ear. The face shield clamping apparatus may also be attached to or integrated into headgear, such as a cap, hat, hardhat or helmet (thereby forming a fully enclosed head face protection assembly). Preferred head attachment means include a headband and two or more ties, optionally including a buckle, especially an adjustable headband (manually adjustable or elasticated) and two or more ties, optionally including a buckle.

Suitably, the face shield clamping apparatus may be formed from a polymeric material by methods well known to those skilled in the art. Suitable polymeric materials include polyethylene, an acetal copolymer, poly(meth)acrylates, a polyether ether ketone (PEEK). Suitable methods for forming the face shield clamping apparatus include cutting from a block of material (e.g. using a computer numerical control machine) or injection moulding.

The face shield clamping apparatus may accommodate different sizes, different shapes, different thicknesses and different types of human face shield, as the apparatus uses a clamping mechanism to secure the face shield thereto. Further, it is typically not necessary to modify the face shield to allow the shield to be secured by the apparatus. Nonetheless, a face shield having an upper tab portion for engaging with the first and second clamping members is highly preferable.

Suitably, the face shield is designed to cover at least a portion of a human face. Preferably, the face shield is designed to cover the entire human face, as such shields are highly desirable in medical applications.

Preferably, the face shield is formed from a polymeric material having desirable rigidity, impact resistance and optical clarity. Suitable polymeric materials include polyethylene terephthalate (and the glycerol modified version), a polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, poly(meth)acrylates. Suitably, the choice of material may be dictated by the end use and with due consideration to the desired physical characteristics (e.g. rigidity, impact resistance and optical clarity). The face shield may be formed by methods well known to those skilled in the art, for example, cut from a sheet material (e.g. laser cutting) or injection moulding.

Preferably, the face shield is formed from a transparent material. Though a non-transparent/opaque material may be contemplated in certain applications e.g. to protect against exposure to ultra violet light.

The face shield may be rigid or flexible. Preferably the face shield is flexible, more preferably flexible with the desired amount of rigidity.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a face shield assembly comprising the face shield clamping apparatus, as defined in the first aspect, and a face shield, as defined herein, clamped in a fixed position by said first and second clamping members Suitably, a portion of the face shield is clamped by the first and second clamping members. Suitably, the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the locked configuration.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of forming a face shield assembly, the method comprising: providing face shield clamping apparatus, as defined in the first aspect; providing a face shield; and, clamping a portion of the face shield in a fixed position with the first and second clamping members.

Suitably, the mechanical engagement mechanism of the face shield clamping apparatus in the unlocked configuration, a portion of the face shield is positioned between the first and second clamping members, the mechanical engagement mechanism is operated to the locked configuration to clamp said portion of the face shield in a fixed position with said first and second clamping members. Suitably, the mechanical engagement mechanism is operable from the unlocked to locked configuration by moving the first clamping member in a direction towards the second clamping member.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of releasing a face shield from a face shield assembly, the method comprising: providing a face shield assembly, as defined in the second aspect, operating the mechanical engagement mechanism from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration to release the face shield from the apparatus. Suitably, the mechanical engagement mechanism is operable form the locked to unlocked configuration by applying a manual force.

Advantageously, the face shield may be released from the apparatus without requiring the user to touch the face shield.

Suitably, in the third and fourth aspects, the mechanical engagement means is operated manually.

Preferably, in each of the second to fourth aspects of the invention, the face shield includes a tab portion and the tab portion is clamped by the first and second clamping members.

Preferably, in each of the second to fourth aspects of the invention, the face shield is transparent. Preferably, the face shield has a degree of flexibility. Preferably, the face shield is configured and dimensioned to cover the entire human face According to a fifth aspect, the invention provides a method of protecting a human face from solids and fluids, the method comprising providing a face shield assembly, as defined in the second aspect, and placing the face shield assembly on a human head so that the face shield covers the face Preferably, the face shield is attached to the head with head attachment means.

Where claim 1 refers to face shield clamping apparatus for releasably clamping a human face shield thereto, it means an apparatus 'suitable for' releasably clamping a human face shield thereto, the apparatus does not include the face shield.

The features of one aspect of the invention can be combined in any complimentary manner, with one or more features of another aspect of the invention, the dependent claims, and/or with one or more features of the description, where such a combination of features would provide a working embodiment of the invention.

The invention will now be described by way of the following non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of the face shield clamping apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and in the unlocked configuration; Figure 2 is a is a plan view of the face shield clamping apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the face shield damping apparatus of Figure 1 in the locked configuration; Figure 4 is a perspective view from head on of a face shield assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention including the face shield clamping apparatus of Figure 1 in the unlocked configuration; Figure 5 is a perspective view from the side of the face shield assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention including the face shield clamping apparatus of Figure 1 in the unlocked configuration, Figure 6 is a perspective view from the side of the face shield assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention including the face shield clamping apparatus of Figure 1 in the locked configuration; Figure 7 is a perspective view from above of the face shield clamping apparatus of Figure 1 including head attachment means; Figure 8 is a plan view of a face shield part for use in the invention; and, Figure 9 is a perspective view of a face shield assembly of the invention protecting a human face.

A face shield clamping apparatus 10 for releasably clamping a face shield 150 thereto is shown in Figures 1 to 7 and 9. The face shield 150 (shown in Figures 4 to 6, 8 and 9) is not part of the face shield clamping apparatus per se, but it may be used in conjunction with the face shield clamping apparatus to form a face shield assembly 100 (shown in Figures 4 to 6 and 9) With reference to Figures 1 to 3 and 7, the face shield clamping apparatus 10 as shown comprises a body/support 12, a first elongate face shield clamping member 20, a second elongate face shield clamping member 40, a mechanical engagement mechanism 50 and a forehead abutment member 70.

The parts mentioned in the preceding paragraph will now be looked at in more detail.

The face shield clamping apparatus 10 is of single-piece construction and integrated construction. The first face shield clamping member 20, second face shield clamping 10 member 40, forehead abutment member 70 and mechanical engagement mechanism 50 form an integral part of the body 12.

The face shield clamping apparatus 10 is dimensioned and configured to allow the apparatus to fit a human head and to extend substantially laterally across the entire forehead of a human, as shown in Figure 9. The face shield clamping apparatus 10 as shown in Figures 1 to 3 has an approximate width of 230 mm, depth (in a direction from the second clamping member to the forehead abutment member) of 100 mm, and thickness of 10 mm.

The face shield securing apparatus 10 is machine cut from a block of acetal copolymer.

The acetal copolymer provides the face shield securing apparatus 10 with the desired rigidity and flexibility.

The face shield clamping apparatus 10 per se, first 20 and second 40 clamping members, and forehead abutment member 70 are each configured in a substantially concave shape and cooperating shape, particularly a substantially concave shape which follow substantially the contours of the human forehead (as is shown in Figures 1 to 3, 7 and 9). Such a configuration allows the apparatus to be placed comfortably against the forehead.

With reference to Figures Ito 3, the first elongate clamping member 20 is in the form of an arm, a first end 21 of the arm is an integral part of body 12, thereby hingeably engaging the arm and body 12. The arm extends outwardly in a lateral direction from body 12 and the second end 22 of the arm includes a mechanical engagement means 51 as an integral part The first elongate clamping member 20 has a substantially rectangular cross-section and includes a forward face 23 and rear face 24 (as shown in Figure 2). The clamping member 20 is configured in a substantially concave shape.

The second elongate clamping member 40, also in the form of an arm, has a first end 41 forming an integral part of body 12, thereby hingeably engaging the arm and body U. The arm extends outwardly in a lateral direction from body 12 and in substantially the same direction as the first elongate clamping member 20. The second end 42 of the arm includes a mechanical engagement means 61 as an integral part. The second elongate clamping member 40 has a substantially rectangular cross-section and includes a forward face 43 and rear face 44 (as shown in Figure 2).

The first and second elongate clamping members are dimensioned and configured to allow the mechanical engagement means 51 of the first clamping member 20 to engage with the mechanical engagement means 61 of the second clamping member 40.

The second clamping member 40 is configured in a substantially concave shape and substantially follows the contours along the entire length of the first clamping member 20.

The first 20 and second 40 clamping members are dimensioned and configured to so that the first clamping member 20 is aligned with and cooperates with the second clamping member 40 along the length of the clamping member. The forward face 23 of the first clamping member 20 defines a first clamping plate of said clamping member. The rear face 44 of the second clamping member 40 defines a second clamping plate, and the second clamping plate of the second clamping member 40 is aligned with and cooperates with the first clamping plate of the first clamping member 20.

With reference to Figure 2 viewing the apparatus in plan view from above or below, when the mechanical engagement mechanism 50 is in the unlocked configuration, the first 20 and second 40 elongate clamping members together form a substantially U-shaped loop configuration and define a channel 80 for receiving a portion 152 of a face shield 150 (as shown in Figures 4 to 6, 8 and 9) The substantially concave U-shaped loop configuration of said first 20 and second 40 elongate clamping members introduces torsion into the polymeric material used to form the apparatus 10 and biases second elongate clamping member 40 in a direction away from the first elongate clamping member 20 (as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 7) When the mechanical engagement mechanism 50 is in the unlocked configuration (as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7), the first elongate clamping member 20 is moveable relative to the second elongate clamping member 40 in a direction combining movement in the X-axis of a theoretical plane of the second elongate clamping member 40 and movement in a Y-axis of a theoretical plane of the second elongate clamping member 40 When the mechanical engagement mechanism 50 is in the unlocked configuration (as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7), the second elongate clamping member 40 is moveable relative to the first elongate clamping member 20 in a direction combining movement in the X-axis of a theoretical plane of the first elongate clamping member 20 and movement in a Y-axis of a theoretical plane of the first elongate clamping member 40.

With reference to Figure 3, when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the locked configuration, movement of the second elongate clamping member 40 in a direction relative to the first elongate clamping member 20 in the X-axis of a theoretical plane of the first elongate clamping member 20 is prevented This allows the first 20 and second 40 clamping members to clamp a portion 152 of a face shield in a fixed position.

With reference to Figure 3, when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the locked configuration, movement of the second elongate clamping member 40 in a direction relative to the first elongate clamping member 20 in the Y-axis of a theoretical plane of the first elongate clamping member 20 is permitted. This allows the first 20 and second 40 clamping members to be moved into the unlocked configuration.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3 and 7, the forehead abutment member 70, an elongate arm, forms a bridge of between substantially the first 21 and second 22 ends of the first elongate clamping member 20. The forehead abutment member 70 as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 7 forms an integral part of the first clamping member 20. However, the forehead abutment member 70 may be formed to allow it to be removed from the first clamping member 20.

The forehead abutment member 70 is laterally spaced apart from the first damping member 20. Such an arrangement allows a face shield 150 clamped to the device to be spaced laterally apart from a human face (as shown in Figure 9). The forehead abutment member 70 is configured in a substantially concave shape to follow substantially the contours of a human forehead The mechanical engagement mechanism 50 comprises the mechanical engagement means 51 of the first damping member 20 and mechanical engagement means 61 of the second clamping member 40. The mechanical engagement means 51 of the first clamping member 20 is in the form of a cam-shaped protrusion 52 and recess 53. The mechanical engagement of the second clamping member is in the form of a cam-shaped protrusion 62 and recess 63 (as shown in Figures 2 and 3). The cam-shaped protrusion 52 of the first clamping member 20 is designed to engage recess 63 of the second clamping member, and the cam-shaped protrusion 62 of the second clamping member 40 is designed to engage recess 53 of the first clamping member.

The mechanical engagement mechanism 50 is operable between an unlocked configuration (as is shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7) and a locked configuration (as is shown in Figures 3 and 6). With reference to Figures 3 and 6, when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the locked configuration, the cam shaped protrusion 52 of the engagement means 51 of the first clamping member 20 engages the recess 63 of the engagement means 61 of the second clamping member 40, and the cam shaped protrusion 62 of the engagement means 61 of the second clamping member 40 engages the recess 53 of the engagement means 51 of the second clamping member 20.

With reference to Figure 3, when the mechanical engagement mechanism 50 is in the locked configuration, the first elongate clamping member 20 engages the second elongate clamping member 40 along the length thereof and relative movement of the first 20 and second 40 clamping members is prevented in a direction of the X-axis of a theoretical plane of said first 20 and second 40 clamping members. This allows the rear face 44 of the second clamping member 40 (i.e. second clamping plate) and forward face 22 of the first clamping member 20 (i.e. first clamping plate) to clamp a portion 152 of a face shield 150 in a fixed position (as shown in Figure 6).

The mechanical engagement mechanism 51 is moved from the locked configuration (as shown in Figures 3 and 6) to the unlocked configuration (as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7) by applying a manual force, to the mechanical engagement mechanism 51 when in the locked configuration. The manual force may be applied by a single hand of a user. Suitably, the mechanical engagement means 61 of the second clamping member 40 is slideably moved in a direction in the Y-axis of a theoretical plane of said first damping member 20. The cam shaped protrusions and recesses of the respective first 51 and second 61 mechanical engagement means facilitate movement in such a direction to allow release of the snap locked configuration.

When the locked configuration is unlocked, the second elongate clamping member 40 is immediately biased away from the first elongate clamping member 20 (as shown in Figure 2), this allows a face shield 150 to be released from the apparatus 10 without the user having to touch the shield.

The mechanical engagement mechanism 50 is moved from the locked configuration (as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7) to the unlocked configuration (as shown in Figures 3 and 6) by moving said second clamping member 40 in a direction of movement in the X-axis of a theoretical plane of said first clamping member 20 and towards said first clamping member 20. Suitably, this may be achieved by a user manually gripping, with a single hand, the second end 22 of the first elongate clamping member 20 and second said end 42 of the second elongate clamping member 40 and squeezing the ends together (i.e. pinching the mechanical engagement means 51, 61 together) With reference to Figure 2, the cam-shaped protrusion 62 of the mechanical engagement means 61 slideably engages with the cam-shaped protrusion 52 of the mechanical engagement means 51 to facilitate formation of the snap locked configuration.

With reference to Figure 7, the face shield clamping apparatus 90 includes head attachment means 90 in the form of an adjustable headband. The head attachment means 90 permits attachment of the apparatus to the head of a user. The head attachment means 90 may form an integral part of the apparatus 10 or, as shown in Figure 7, the head attachment means 90 are removeable from the apparatus 10.

The face shield clamping apparatus 10 is used to form a face shield assembly 100 for a human where a portion 152 of a face shield 150 is clamped to the apparatus 10 in a fixed position (as shown in figure 6). The face shield 150 is separable from the apparatus 10 as the apparatus essentially includes an integrated adjustable clamping mechanism. The face shield is designed to cover, preferably, the entire face A face shield assembly 100 is formed by providing the face shield clamping apparatus where the mechanical engagement mechanism 50 is in the unlocked configuration and placing a portion of a face shield 152 in the channel 80 defined by said first 20 and second 40 elongate clamping members (as shown in Figure 2). The user then manually operates the mechanical engagement mechanism 50 so that the mechanism is placed in the locked configuration and the rear face 44 of the second clamping member 40 and front face 22 of the first clamping member 20 clamp the portion 152 of the face shield 150 in a fixed position ( as shown in Figure 6). The face shield 150 is released from the apparatus by returning the mechanical engagement mechanism to the unlocked position. The face shield 150 is released from the apparatus 10 without the user having to touch the shield 150 This is particularly advantageous when the face shield is used in a medical environment as it minimises the risk of contaminating a fresh face shield to be fitted to the apparatus 10 with an infectious disease, and subsequently mitigates the spread of an infectious disease from patient to patient.

Conveniently, the face shield clamping apparatus 10 does not require a bespoke face shield part. The apparatus 10 can accommodate face shield parts of different size, shape, thickness and weight. A preferred face shield part 150 made from a transparent polyethylene terephthalate having a protruding tab 152 for engagement with said first 20 and second 40 clamping members is shown in Figure 8.

The face shield assembly 100 of the invention may be used in medical and non-medical applications. The face shield assembly 100 is particularly suited to medical applications, as a face shield 150 can be released from the apparatus 10 without touching the shield. This avoids cross-contamination of the replacement fresh shield. Further, such an operation may be accomplished without the user removing the apparatus from the head

Claims

CLAIMSL A face shield damping apparatus for releasably damping a human face shield thereto, the face shield damping apparatus being dimensioned and configured to allow the apparatus to fit a human head and extend substantially laterally across substantially the entire forehead, the apparatus comprising a body including an integrated first face shield clamping member and a second integrated face shield clamping member, wherein the first clamping member is aligned with and cooperates with second said clamping member to allow a portion of a human face shield to be clamped between said first and second clamping members in a fixed position, the first clamping member is moveable relative to the second clamping member, wherein the apparatus includes an integrated mechanical engagement mechanism to allow the first clamping member to be engaged with and disengaged from said second clamping member, the mechanical engagement mechanism being operable between a locked configuration and unlocked configuration, wherein in the locked configuration said first clamping member engages said second clamping member and a movement of said first clamping member in a direction relative to said second clamping member is substantially inhibited, preferably substantially prevented, to allow said first and second clamping members to damp a portion of a human face shield in a fixed position, and in the unlocked configuration said first clamping member is disengaged from said second clamping member to allow release of said face shield from said first and second clamping members.
2. A face shield assembly comprising the face shield clamping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and a face shield designed to cover at least part of a human face, preferably the entire face, wherein a portion of the face shield is clamped in a fixed position by said first and second clamping members.
3. A face shield assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the face shield includes a tab portion that is clamped by said first and second clamping members.
4. The face shield clamping apparatus as or the face shield assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the face shield clamping apparatus is configured in a substantially concave shape to allow the apparatus to follow substantially the contours of a human forehead.
5. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the unlocked configuration, the first clamping member is moveable relative to the second clamping member in substantially a single direction of movement.
6. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the unlocked configuration the first clamping member is moveable relative to the second clamping member in a direction combining movement in the X axis of a theoretical plane of the second clamping member and movement in the Y axis of a theoretical plane of the second clamping member.
7. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein when the mechanical engagement mechanism is in the locked configuration, movement of the first clamping member in a direction relative to the second clamping member is inhibited, preferably prevented, in a first direction, preferably only one direction, to allow the first clamping member to remain engaged with second said clamping member.
8. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein movement of the first clamping member relative to the second clamping member is permitted in a second direction, to allow the first clamping member to disengage from second clamping member.
9. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mechanical engagement mechanism is operable from the unlocked configuration to locked configuration, and from the locked configuration to unlocked configuration, by relative movement of said first and second clamping members.
10. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mechanical engagement mechanism is operable manually.
11. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first clamping member is biased in a direction away from second said clamping member.
12. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first said clamping member is in the form of a first elongate arm and a first end of said first elongate arm is an integral part of the body.
13. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second said clamping member is in the form of a second elongate arm and a first end of said second elongate arm is an integral part of the body.
14. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the first and second elongate arms are dimensioned and configured to allow the first elongate arm to be aligned with and cooperate with the second elongate arm.
15. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein a face of said first elongate arm defines a first clamping plate and a face of said second elongate arm defines a second damping plate for clamping a portion of a face shield in a fixed position.
16. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein when said mechanical engagement mechanism is in the unlocked configuration, said first and second elongate arms together form a substantially U-shaped configuration and define a channel for receiving a portion of a face shield.
17. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein each of said first and second elongate arms are configured in a substantially concave shape, especially a substantially concave shape to follow substantially the contours of a human forehead
18. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein said mechanical engagement mechanism comprises mechanical engagement means forming an integral part of said first elongate arm, preferably an integral part of the second said end of the first elongate arm, which is engageable with mechanical engagement means forming an integral part of said second elongate arm, preferably an integral part of the second said end of the second elongate arm
19. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical engagement mechanism comprises mechanical engagement means forming an integral part of the first clamping member which is engageable with mechanical engagement means forming an integral part of second said clamping member.
20. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical engagement means comprise a recess on the first clamping member and a protrusion on said second clamping member, and the protrusion of said second clamping member is designed to engage with recess of first said clamping member.
21. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said protrusion of said second clamping member is a camming member and said first clamping member includes a camming member, and the camming member of said second clamping member is designed to slideably engage with the camming member of first said clamping member to facilitate engagement and/or disengagement of the mechanical engagement mechanism
22. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein face shield clamping apparatus further includes one or more head attachment means to allow the apparatus to be attached to a human head
23. The face shield clamping apparatus or the face shield assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said head attachment means is selected from a headband, one or more ties, one or more temples, one or more head hooks, and/or a piece of headgear, such as hat, cap or helmet.
24. A method of forming a face shield assembly, the method comprising the steps of providing a face shield clamping apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 1, and 4 to 23, providing a face shield, and clamping a portion of the face shield in a fixed position with said first and second clamping members.
25. A method of releasing a face shield from a face shield assembly, the method comprising providing a face shield assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 23, operating the mechanical engagement mechanism from the locked configuration to unlocked configuration to release the face shield from the face shield clamping apparatus.