GB2595474A

GB2595474A - Safety shield

Info

Publication number: GB2595474A
Application number: GB2007899.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Baccarini Tony
Original assignee: Bespoke Offsite Solutions Ltd
Current assignee: Bespoke Offsite Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-27
Filing date: 2020-05-27
Publication date: 2021-12-01
Also published as: GB202007899D0

Abstract

A safety shield 10, for use with a safety hat 12 having a brim (14, Fig 1a), the safety shield comprises a shield body 16 and an adjustable fastener 18. The shield body has a securing portion 16a and a shielding portion 16b, the securing portion being positioned to fit over the brim of the safety hat when worn and the shielding portion being positioned to cover a wearer’s face when worn. The adjustable fastener is coupled to the shield body and is adjustable to vary the length of the safety shield and to apply tension relative to the safety hat when in use. The securing portion includes a pocket 34 for receiving, in use, at least a portion of the brim of the safety hat. The adjustable fastener may include a releasable clamp and an elongate member that feeds through it, which may be elastic. The pocket may extend a portion of the length of the securing portion and be centrally located. The securing portion may also include a releasable fastener to releasably adhere to a reciprocal fastener on the safety hat. The shield portion may be reinforced and may be made of thermoplastic polyurethane.

Description

SAFETY SHIELD

This invention relates to a safety shield for use with a safety hat having a brim, and to a safety hat including such a shield.

It may be necessary for workforce to wear special personal protection equipment (PPE) to prevent a virus from spreading. One such type of PPE is something that safely covers the face of a worker (especially the nose and mouth). This precaution is especially desirable in environments where distancing yourself from others to prevent the virus from spreading is not always practicable. An example of a virus which caused such precautions to take place is the COVID-19 virus. When a virus like COVID-19 is prevalent, workforce in industries such as construction may be prevented from working or carrying out their work effectively due to the restrictions that are put in place to help prevent spread of the virus. It is therefore important that this workforce is provided with appropriate special PPE to allow them to carry on with their work while preventing the virus from spreading.

An essential part of "normal" PPE for a construction worker is a safety hat, and so any additional/special PPE that is required to be worn (e.g. in situations such as the COVID- 19 pandemic) must be compatible with the safety hat as well as being comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a safety shield, for use with a safety hat having a brim, the safety shield comprising: a shield body having a securing portion and a shielding portion, the securing portion being positioned to fit over the brim of the safety hat when worn and the shielding portion being positioned to cover a wearer's face when worn; and an adjustable fastener coupled to the shield body, the fastener being adjustable to vary the length of the safety shield and to apply tension relative to the safety hat when in use, wherein the securing portion of the shield body includes a pocket for receiving, in use, at least a portion of the brim of the safety hat.

The inclusion of a shielding portion which is positioned to cover a wearer's face when worn helps to prevent the spread of a virus by preventing particles that carry the virus from passing through the shield. This reduces the risk of the wearer catching the virus (i.e. by preventing the wearer from inhaling particles that carry the virus) and also reduces the risk of the wearer spreading the virus to others (i.e. by blocking the exhalation of particles that may carry the virus).

The inclusion of a securing portion that is positioned to fit over the brim of a safety hat means that the shield body accommodates the brim of the hat so that the shield body is not deformed or misshapen by the brim of the hat which might otherwise prevent the shield body from covering the correction portions of the wearer's face.

The inclusion of an adjustable fastener to vary the length of the safety shield allows for the safety shield to be loosened or tightened to fit different sized hats. This also makes it easier to put the safety shield on and take it off again. The adjustable fastener also applies tension relative to the safety hat, i.e. when it is tightened, which helps to secure the safety shield in place.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of a pocket for receiving at least a portion of the safety hat brim further helps to secure the safety shield in place and prevents the shield from dislodging or riding up, especially as the wearer moves.

Therefore, the safety shield of the invention provides a shield for preventing the spread of a virus that fits onto a safety hat and be safety secured thereon to prevent dislodging of the shield. The safety shield being separate from the safety hat also means that the shield can be more easily sterilised and reused.

It will be understood that a "safety hat" can take many forms but is a hat that is typically required to be worn on construction sites for the safety of the worker. It may also be referred to as a hardhat, safety/construction helmet, safety/construction cap or bump cap. Moreover, the hat having a brim means that it has a projection (sometimes referred to as a peak, visor, lip or bill) that extends beyond the main body of the hat. The brim usually extends only part way around the hat (i.e. so that it projects over the forehead when worn) but it may extend all the way around the hat.

It will also be understood that the shielding portion covering the wearer's face means that the shielding portion covers at least the wearer's nose and mouth. The shielding portion may additionally cover the wearer's chin and may also extend to part of the wearer's neck. The shielding portion may also extend around the side of face.

The adjustable fastener may include a releasable clamp. The adjustable fastener may further include an elongate fastening member secured to the shield body and fed through the releasable clamp.

Optionally, the elongate fastening member is or includes elastic.

The elongate fastening member being or including elastic further helps to provide adjustability of the safety shield.

Optionally the pocket extends along only a portion of the length of the securing portion to receive a portion of the brim of the safety hat in use.

The pocket extending along only a portion of the securing portion means that pocket is not restricted by the size and shape of the brim. It also makes it easier for the wearer to fit the brim into the pocket because it is only a portion of the brim that needs to be located within the pocket.

In such an embodiment, the pocket is preferably centrally located relative to the length of the securing portion. This arrangement makes it easy for the brim to be located within the pocket and also means that the peak of the brim (i.e. the part that projects the most) is located in the pocket.

The securing portion may be formed to extend around the safety hat towards the rear of the safety hat leaving a gap between each end of the securing portion, wherein the adjustable fastener is secured to each end of the securing portion.

The securing portion extending around the rear of the safety hat provides a more robust and secure fit of the safety shield onto the safety hat.

Moreover, the securing portion may further include a releasable fastener configured to releasably adhere to a mutually engageable releasable fastener positioned on the outer surface of the safety hat.

The inclusion of such a releasable fastener means that the securing portion can be temporality adhered to the safety hat to further help with securing the safety shield in place relative to the safety hat. It will be understood that being "releasably adhered" means that the two components stick/adhere to one another until a force, e.g. a pulling force, is exerted to release the two components.

Optionally the shield body includes a reinforcing member positioned between the shielding portion and the securing portion.

s The shield body may also include a reinforcing member positioned along the perimeter of the shielding portion.

Such reinforcing members help to shape the shield body around the hat and/or the face of the wearer and provides structural integrity to the shield body.

Preferably, at least the shielding portion of the shield body is made from thermoplastic polyurethane. Optionally, the shield body is a single thermoplastic polyurethane film.

Thermoplastic polyurethane (PU or TPU) has many attributes that make it especially is suitable for a face shield. For example, it has microbial resistance, high resistance to tearing, good resistance to abrasion (which is very suited to construction site environments), anti-fogging attributes. This material is also easy to clean between uses of the safety shield.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a safety hat comprising: a brim extending at least part way around the perimeter of the hat; and a safety shield according to any preceding claim arranged over the safety hat so that at least a portion of the brim is received by the pocket of the safety shield.

The safety hat may further include a mutually engageable releasable fastener positioned on each of the outer surface of the safety hat and on the securing portion of the safety shield, the mutually engageable releasable fasteners being able to be releasably adhered to one another.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures la to lc show the safety shield in use with a safety hat; Figures 2a and 2b show the pocket of the safety shield in more detail; Figure 3 shows a portion of the adjustable fastener in more detail; and Figures 4a and 4b are flow charts relating to testing of TPU film.

Th safety shield according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3 and is designated generally by reference numeral 10.

Figures 1 to 3 show the safety shield 10 in use with a safety hat 12. The safety hat 12 (or hardhat, safety/construction helmet, safety/construction cap or bump cap) includes a brim 14 that projects from the hat 12 so that the brim 14 overhangs the wearer's forehead. The brim 14 shown in this example projects only from a portion of the hat circumference. In other examples, the safety hat 12 may include a brim 14 that projects fully around the circumference of the hat 12.

The safety shield 10 includes a shield body 16. The shield body 16 is made up of a securing portion 16a and a shielding portion 16b. The securing portion 16a is positioned to fit over the brim 14 of the hat 12 when the safety shield 10 is worn, and the shielding portion 16b is positioned to cover the wearer's face when the safety shield 10 is worn. In this embodiment, the shielding portion 16b extends from the securing portion 16a.

The safety shield 10 also includes an adjustable fastener 18 that is coupled to the shield body 16. The fastener 18 is adjustable to vary the length of the safety shield 10 and to apply tension relative to the safety hat 12 when in use. It will be understood that the length of the safety shield 10 is the length of the shield 10 along the wearer's head as worn. This may be the circumference of the shield (relating to the circumference of the safety hat 12), if this is the how the shield 10 is formed.

In the example shown in the figures, the adjustable fastener 18 includes a releasable clamp 20 and an elongate fastening member 22. The elongate fastening member 22 is in the form of a single piece band 24 that is fed through the releasable clamp 20 and is secured at each end 27a, 27b to the shield body 16 (at the securing portion 16a in this example, which is explained in more detail below).

In this embodiment, the adjustable fastener being secured to the shield body 16 forms a loop 26 that is adjustable in size to fit different sized safety hats 14.

The band 24 is made of an elastic material but may be made from any other suitable material such as cord or webbing. The band 24 may be flat or may be tubular.

In the embodiment shown, the securing portion 16a extends around the safety hat 12 towards the rear of the hat 12 and leaves a gap between each end 29a, 29b of the securing portion 16a. The ends 27a, 27b of the band 24 are secured to the ends 29a, 29b of the securing portion 16a to complete the loop 26.

The shielding portion 16b does not extend around the rear of the safety hat 12, as shown in the figures. Instead, the shielding portion 16b extends only to the side of the safety hat 12 approximately where the wearer's cheek or ears would be positioned. In other embodiments, the shielding portion 16b may extend less or more around the safety hat 12.

In further embodiments, the securing portion 16a may not extend around the safety hat 12. It may instead extend to the same distance as the shielding portion 16b. in which case, the elongate fastening member 22 would be longer because it would have a further distance to complete the loop 26 to fit around the safety hat 12.

The releasable clamp 20 is shown in more detail in Figure 3. The releasable clamp 20 includes a locking mechanism (not shown) and a release button 28. The locking mechanism locks the band 24 in place and the release button 28, when pressed, allows the band 24 to be fed in either direction through the apertures 30 of the clamp 20 to permit adjustment of the band 24 (i.e. adjustment of the size of the loop 26).

In this example, the release button 28 is spring-loaded so that it biases the locking mechanism to the locking position when the release button 28 is not pressed. In particular, the locking mechanism is coupled to the release button 28 so that it clamps down onto the band 24 when it is in the locking position. When the release button 28 is pressed, the locking mechanism is lifted from the band 24 so that the band 24 is free to move. In the example shown, the releasable clamp 20 is a spring-loaded toggle fastener. These are typically made from plastic.

A circular shaped hook and loop pad 32 is adhered to the back of the toggler fastener (i.e. the clamp 20) and to the outer surface of the safety hat 12 so that the clamp 20 can be releasably adhered to the hat 12 via the hook and loop pad 32. A "hook and loop" pad may be in the form of Velcro-Fr' or another type of removable fastener may be used, e.g. a suction cup that is suctioned directly onto the safety hat 14.

The releasable clamp 20 may take any other suitable form which permits the adjustment of the band 24, such as a cam/flap buckle.

Moreover, the adjustable fastener 18 may take any suitable form which permits the adjustment of the length of the safety shield. For example, the fastener 18 may include buttons, poppers, VelcroTm, a webbing slider (such as often can be found on the straps of a backpack) or two loose ends of cord that are tied together.

The securing portion 16a of the shield body 16 further includes a pocket 34 for receiving a portion of the brim 14 of the safety hat 12. The pocket 34 is illustrated in more detail in Figures 2a and 2b.

The pocket 34 is formed by attaching an additional piece of material to the securing portion 16a of the shield body 16. In this example, the pocket 34 is formed along a portion of the length of the securing portion 16a. Therefore, only a portion, i.e. the peak 15, of the brim 14 of the safety hat 12 is received by the pocket 34. The pocket 34 is positioned centrally relative to the length (i.e. end to end 27a, 27b of the securing portion 16a) of the securing portion 16a.

In use, the wearer tucks the peak 15 of the brim 14 into the pocket 34 and then tightens the safety shield 10 to the safety hat 12 by pressing the release button 28 and pulling the band 24 to make the loop 26 smaller. Once at the correct size, such that the shield 10 is a snug fit around the hat 12, the clamp 20 is pressed onto the safety hat 12 so that the hook and loop pads 32 adhere to one another.

In other embodiments, a pocket 34 may be formed along the entire length (i.e. end to end) of the securing portion 16a so that all (or most) of the brim 14 of the safety hat 12 is received by the pocket 34.

Figure 2b also illustrates the dimensions of the shield body 16. In particular, radius R is 75mm, height H is 180mm, width W is 141.3mm and apex length L is 72.6mm.

These dimensions are exemplary only and other dimensions could be used.

The safety shield 10 further includes a set of reinforcing members 34 which, in this example, are in the form of a viscose trimming material that frames the safety shield. The framing is provided along the entire outer edge of the shield body 16 and also between the securing portion 16a and the shielding portion 16b. The framing provides a stiffness to the shield body 16 and helps to keep the desired shape of the shield, e.g. around the hat 12 and face.

The shield body 16 is a single thermoplastic polyurethane (PU or TPU) film, specifically 35 a polyether TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer polyether). In other embodiments, the shielding portion 16b may be made from TPU but the securing portion 16a may be made from a different material.

Thermoplastic polyurethane, also referred to as PU and TPU, is a flexible film with high elongation and properties and characteristics that are superior to most polyolefinic films. Thus, TPU is often an excellent choice for more demanding film applications. This thermoplastic is inherently strong, flexible, tough, and easy to work with, and unlike vinyl, it is free of plasticizers, and thus, won't become brittle or lose performance over time. TPU film also exhibits excellent dynamic flex performance, abrasion resistance, and tear strength.

TPUs have excellent resistance to grease and pure mineral oils such as lubricants and fuel, and exhibit outstanding resistance to hydrolysis. In particular, polyether-based grades will not undergo any noticeable decomposition when exposed to hot steam and the mechanical properties are nearly unchanged, whereas ester-based grades can be somewhat susceptible to hydrolysis at elevated temperatures. The polyether-based TPU's also exhibit excellent resistance lo microbiological attack whereas ester-based grades can withstand higher temperatures.

TPUs are easy to work with and can be easily modified to suit a particular application through the addition of fillers, dyes, lubricants, stabilizers, and other additives.

TPU films can be used over a wide range of temperatures. For example, common ester-based grades can withstand temperatures up to 130° C, whereas many ether-based grades can withstand temperatures up to 90° C. TPU films can be formed to have various thicknesses, widths with properties tailored to meet specific requirements of particular end uses.

A TPU polyether sample was tested and found to comply with the limits as set by RoHS Directive (EU) 2015/863 amending Annex II to Directive 2011/65/EU for: Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium, Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and Phthalates such as Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) , Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) , and Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).

Details of the test are set out below.

R0H5 Directive (EU) 2015/863 amending Annex II to Directive 2011/65/EU Test Method: With reference to IEC 62321-4:2013+A1:2017, IEC 62321-5:2013, IEC 62321-7-2:2017, IEC 62321-6:2015 and IEC 62321-8:2017, analyzed by ICP-OES, UV-Vis and GC-MS.

Remarks: (1) 1 mg/kg = 1 ppm = 0.0001% (2) MDL = Method Detection Limit (3) ND = Not Detected ( < MDL) (4) "-" = Not Regulated Test Item(s) Limit Unit MDL 001 Cadmium (Cd) 100 mg/kg 2 ND Lead (Pb) 1,000 mg/kg 2 ND Mercury (Hg) 1,000 mg/kg 2 ND Hexava lent 1,000 mg/kg 8 ND Chromium (CrVI) Sum of PBBs 1,000 mg/kg ND Monobromobiphenyl - mg/kg 5 ND Dibromobiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Tribromobiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Tetrabromobiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Pentabromobiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Hexabromobiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Heptabromobiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Octabromobiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Nonabromobiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Decabromobiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Sum of PBDEs 1,000 mg/kg _ ND Monobromodiphenyl - mg/kg 5 ND Dibromodiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Tribromodiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Tetrabromodiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Pentabromodiphenyl mg/kg 5 ND Hexabromodiphenyl ether mg/kg 5 ND Heptabromodiphenyl ether mg/kg 5 ND Octabromodiphenyl ether mg/kg 5 ND Nonabromodiphenyl ether mg/kg 5 ND Decabromodiphenyl ether mg/kg 5 ND Dibutyl phthalate 1,000 mg/kg 50 ND (DBP) Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) 1,000 mg/kg 50 ND Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) 1,000 mg/kg 50 ND Diisobutyl 1,000 mg/kg 50 ND Phthalates (DIBP) (1) The maximum permissible limit is quoted from RoHS Directive (EU) 2015/863.IEC 62321 series is equivalent to EN 62321 series http://www.cenelec.eu/dyn/www/f?p=104:30:1742232870351101::::FSP ORG ID,F SP _LANG_ID: 12586 37,25 The samples were dissolved totally by pre-conditioning method according to the flow chart shown at Figures 4a and 4b.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A safety shield, for use with a safety hat having a brim, the safety shield comprising: a shield body having a securing portion and a shielding portion, the securing portion being positioned to fit over the brim of the safety hat when worn and the shielding portion being positioned to cover a wearer's face when worn; and an adjustable fastener coupled to the shield body, the fastener being adjustable to vary the length of the safety shield and to apply tension relative to the safety hat when in use, wherein the securing portion of the shield body includes a pocket for receiving, in use, at least a portion of the brim of the safety hat.is 2. A safety shield according claim 1 wherein the adjustable fastener includes a releasable clamp.3. A safety shield according to claim 2 wherein the adjustable fastener further includes an elongate fastening member secured to the shield body and being fed through the releasable clamp.4. A safety shield according to claim 3 wherein the elongate fastening member is or includes elastic.5. A safety shield according to any preceding claim wherein the pocket extends along only a portion of the length of the securing portion to receive a portion of the brim of the safety hat in use.6. A safety shield according to claim 5 wherein the pocket is centrally located relative to the length of the securing portion.7. A safety shield according to any preceding claim wherein the securing portion is formed to extend around the safety hat towards the rear of the safety hat leaving a gap between each end of the securing portion, and wherein the adjustable fastener is secured to each end of the securing portion.8. A safety shield according to any preceding claim wherein the securing portion further includes a releasable fastener configured to releasably adhere to a mutually engageable releasable fastener positioned on the outer surface of the safety hat.9. A safety shield according to any preceding claim wherein the shield body includes a reinforcing member positioned between the shielding portion and the securing portion.10. A safety shield according to any preceding claim wherein the shield body includes a reinforcing member positioned along the perimeter of the shielding portion.11. A safety shield according to any preceding claim wherein at least the shielding portion of the shield body is made from thermoplastic polyurethane.is 12. A safety shield according to any preceding claim wherein the shield body is a single thermoplastic polyurethane film.13. A safety hat comprising: a brim extending at least part way around the perimeter of the hat; and a safety shield according to any preceding claim arranged over the safety hat so that at least a portion of the brim is received by the pocket of the safety shield.14. A safety hat according to claim 13 further including a mutually engageable releasable fastener positioned on each of the outer surface of the safety hat and on the securing portion of the safety shield, the mutually engageable releasable fasteners being able to be releasably adhered to one another.