IE57402B1

IE57402B1 - Radiation protective apron

Info

Publication number: IE57402B1
Application number: IE1163/86A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Johnston Helen
Priority date: 1986-05-01
Filing date: 1986-05-01
Publication date: 1992-08-26
Also published as: GB8708976D0; GB2189979B; GB2189979A; IE861163L; ZA873019B

Abstract

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

Description

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

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

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

One known type of apron comprises a rear portion and a front portion the front portion being connected to the rear portion along one side, the opposite side being open and the front portion adjacent said opposite side and in the region of the front of one shoulder, being attached by fastner means to a shoulder pad which extends over the « shoulder from the rear portion to the front of the · shoulder. « A problem with this known type of apron is that because the front.portion is only attached to the rear portion at the front part of the shoulder region, the weight of the front portion tends to be carried by the front part of the shoulder and generally acts to pull this shoulder downwards which is uncomfortable for the user An object of the present invention is to provide a radiation protective apron which is readily put on and which is comfortable to wear.

According to the invention there is provided a 5 radiation protective apron comprising, a rear part joined at each side to respective left and right front parts, one of said front parts having a flap portion which in use extends rearwardly over an adjacent shoulder, to a rear shoulder region, and is attached to this region by fastener means.

The flap portion is preferably formed as a continuation of the left front part, the left front part in use substantially overlapping the right front part such that in the region of the front part of the wearer, there is provided increased protection from radiation.

Further, the right front part is preferably in use attachable to the innermost left side of the rear part by a support means to provide support for the right front part. The support means preferably comprises a cord fixed to the right front part and a cord fixed to the innermost left side of the rear part.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an apron according to the invention in an open configuration; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the apron of Figure 1 in a closed configuration; and Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the apron 30 shown in Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts, there is shown therein a radiation protective apron generally indicated at 10 according to the invention. The apron 10 comprises a rear part ll joined at each side 12, 13 to respective left and right front parts 14, 15. The left front part 14 has a flap portion 16 which forms a continuation of the front part, the flap 16 having a ¢1 strip of velcro fastner material 17 on its inner surface.

The right front part 15 and the innermost left side 12 of the rear part 11 has a support means comprising a pair of cords 18 which can be tied together by a user of the apron to help support the right side 15 in position across the front of the user. The cords 18 are arranged so as to be tied together around the mid-trunk region of the user.

With the cords 18 tied, the rear part 11 carries the weight of the right front part 15. It will be understood that the cords 18 may be substituted by a suitable buckle and belt (not shown).

The inner surface of the left side part 14 and the outer surface of the right side part 15 have a pair of complementary velcro (TRADE MARK) strips 19 so that when the apron is in use the left side part 14 can be fastened to the right side part 15. As shown, in this position the left side part 14 substantially overlaps the right side part 15 so that the user has a double layer of the lead vinyl material at the front which provides increased protection.

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

Claims

1. A radiation protective apron comprising a rear part joined at each side to respective left and right front parts, one of said front parts having a flap portion 5 which in use, extends rearwardly over an adjacent shoulder, to a rear shoulder region, and is attached to this region by fastener means.

2. An apron as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the flap portion is preferably formed as a continuation of the 10 left front part, the left front part in use substantially overlapping the right front part such that in the region of the front part of the wearer there is provided increased portection from radiation.

3. An apron as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the 15 right front part is attachable to the innermost left side of the back part by a support means to provide support for the right front part.

4. An apron as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the support means comprises a belt fixed to the right front part and 20 a buckle fixed to the innermost side of the back part.

5. An apron as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the front parts are releasably attachable to the rear part along each side of the rear part at least along a lower region of the apron. 25

6. A radiation protective apron substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.