WO2013054283A1

WO2013054283A1 - A visor

Info

Publication number: WO2013054283A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/055512
Authority: WO
Inventors: Graeme Francois Dryden DYMOND
Original assignee: Dymond Graeme Francois Dryden
Priority date: 2011-10-12
Filing date: 2012-10-11
Publication date: 2013-04-18

Abstract

A visor including an adjustable head band for attaching the visor to the head of a user and a shield, the shield being variably displaceable relative the head band and the face of the user when in use, wherein the visor includes at least one displacement means for facilitating the variable displacement of the shield relative the head band and the face of the user when in use.

Description

A VISOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of protective visors, specifically face visors used by healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Many face visors are available for use by healthcare workers for protecting the workers' faces, specifically the eye area, from exposure to blood spatter and other bodily fluids.

The inventor is aware that, to date, the visors which have been used, are uncomfortable for users and do not allow for adequate ventilation of the user. Furthermore, existing visors often fog-up during use and are particularly cumbersome to users who wear spectacles.

The inventor believes that a need exists for a visor that is light weight, optically clear with minimal or no distortion, fog resistant, anti-glare, low impact resistance, large enough to protect the eyes from front and side splash and are compatible with spectacles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Definition: The word visor shall, for the purpose of interpreting this specification, include a protective screen attachable to the face and/or head of the user so to assist in shielding the face and/or head.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a visor, the visor including an adjustable head band for attaching the visor to the head of a user and a shield, the shield being variably displaceable relative the head band and the face of the user when in use, wherein the visor includes at least one displacement means for facilitating the variable displacement of the shield relative the head band and the face of the user when in use.

The head band may define a first end region and a second end region.

The head band may include an attachment means for assisting in attaching the head band to the head of the user.

The attachment means may include, but not be limited to, any one of more of the group including a frictional engagement means; a clip; a tie and the like.

The attachment means may be shaped and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the first end region and the second end region of the head band. In an embodiment of the invention, the attachment means may be in the form of a frictional engagement means, shaped and dimensioned to receive at least a part of both the first end region and second end region of the head band, the attachment means assisting the user in releasably attaching the first end region relative the second end region of the head band to facilitate the securing of the visor to the head of the user, the head band adjustable relative the head of the user.

The attachment means may be separate the head band, and used when the visor is in use. The attachment means may be re-useable

In a further embodiment of the invention, the first end region of the head band may define an aperture for receiving at least a part of the second end region of the head band, the first end region and the second end region of the head band frictionally engagable, thereby assisting in releasably attaching and adjusting the head band to the head of the user.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the first and second end regions of the head band may be tied relative each other to secure the head band to the head of the user.

The first and second end regions of the head band may be manufactured from any suitable material including but not limited to card board; a plastics material; a rubber composite; a frangible material and the like.

The frangible material of the first and second end regions of the head band may assist in the user removing excess length of the first end region and/or second end region, and may assist in ensuring that there is no obstruction and/or interferences during use of the visor. The first end region and/or second end region of the head band may include a predefined size scale, the size scale represented numerically on the head band.

The predefined size scale may assist the user in determining a desired size of the head band during use; typically the user may wish to re-select the desired size from the predefined scale size when using a new visor. The head band may be manufactured from any suitable material including but not limited to card board; plastic material; a rubber composite material; a frangible material; and the like.

The frangible material of the head band may assist the user in removing excess length of the head band, and may assist in ensuring that there is no obstruction and/or interferences during use thereof.

The head band may include a predefined size scale. The predefined size scale may be represented numerically on the head band.

The shield may define at least one aperture for receiving at least a part of the head band. Typically the shield may define two apertures, the apertures configured to receive at least a part of the head band simultaneously, thereby assisting in adjustably engaging the head band relative the shield.

The shield may move relative the head band, the shield being variably displaceable from an undisplaced position adjacent the head band to a displaced position away from the head band

The shield may include two sides, the sides including at least one displacement means. The shield may be attachable to the head band by the displacement means, the displacement means being any one or more of the group including an adjustable engagement means; a guide means and the like.

The displacement means may be shaped and dimensioned to receive at least a part of the head band and wherein the displacement means facilitates the displacement of the visor from the undisplaced position to the displaced position. The movement of the shield relative the head band may assist in adjusting the shield from a position adjacent the head band, to a position displaced from the head band, thereby increasing the area between the shield and the face of the user.

The displacement means may further assist in securing the shield in the displaced position.

It is to be appreciated from the specification that further displacement of the shield from the face of the user, may assist in greater ventilation and resultant comfort.

Typically the shield may receive the head band, the predefined size scale of the head band abutting the shield of the visor, thereby assisting in permitting the user to adjust the shield to a predefined displaced position relative the head band.

It is to be appreciated from the specification that the further the shield is displaced from the face of the user, the less likely fogging of the inner surface of the shield is to occur.

The visor may include a support means, the support means including but not limited to the thickening and reinforcing of a portion of the shield and/or a layer of rubber material on the shield of the visor, which may assist in the reinforcing and maintaining of the curvature of the shield when the visor is in use. The support means may assist in reducing optical distortion.

The shield may comprise two aspects, the first aspect being transparent and the second aspect providing means for attachment to the head band. The second aspect may be transparent, translucent and/or opaque.

The first and second aspect may be manufactured as a single unit. The shield may be manufactured from any suitable material, specifically a light weight and disposable material. The shield may be manufactured from a plastics material.

The shield may be manufactured from a partially reflective and a partially transparent material, specifically a one- way mirror material.

The shield may be manufactured from a material which assists in protecting the eyes of the user from potential exposure to a laser. The shield may be manufactured from a Light emitting diode material, such material having the qualities including but not limited to high adhesion; high purity; moisture resistance; thermal stability; optical transmittance and the like.

The shield may be manufactured by a plastic injection moulding process, the first and second aspect of the shield being injection moulded as one unit and the second aspect being manufactured as translucent, transparent and/or opaque material and reinforced to provided structural stability to the curvature of the shield during use of the visor.

The shield may include a head-up display.

The shield may be shaped and dimensioned to protect the eyes of the user but may, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, be shaped and dimensioned to protect at least a further part of the face of the user, from exposure to bodily fluids.

The shield may include anti-glare properties for assisting in preventing the glare from overhead lighting disturbing the view of the user.

The shield may be coated with an anti-fog layer, thereby assisting in preventing the view of the user being obstructed by condensation forming on the shield. In a further embodiment of the invention, the transparent aspect of the shield may comprise a clear and lightweight plastics material, and the second aspect, a lightweight cardboard material.

The shield may be of varying sizes in accordance with the needs of the user.

The shield may be shaped and dimensioned to be optically clear and thereby assisting in preventing distortion. The shield may include a further attachment means, the further attachment means shaped and dimensioned to releasably attach a mask to the shield.

The attachment means may be any one or more of the group including, but not limited to, a clip; a hook; Velcro™ and the like.

The mask may be integral the shield. The mask may include any kind of mask as per the needs and preferences of the user. The mask may be manufactured from any suitable material, typically a light weight and disposable material.

The mask may be manufactured from a paper material.

The mask may be attachable to the shield and simultaneously to the user.

The visor may have low insulation properties, thereby assisting in preventing heat entrapment, and furthermore increasing the comfort of the user.

The visor may be lightweight and may be useable in combination with the spectacles of the user.

The visor may be shaped and dimensioned to assist in preventing interference with the hearing or speech of the user.

The visor may include a cap. The visor may be shaped and dimensioned to include a lighting means, said lighting means assisting in providing light to the work area.

The visor may be disposable.

The visor may be suitably manufactured so to assist in the storage and transport thereof.

The shield may be stackable before use thereof, and the head band stored and transported separately therefrom, to be assembled before use.

The visor may be assembled before storage and transportation thereof.

The visor may furthermore be manufactured from sheet material, whereby at least two visors or two shields may be attachable to each other by a frangible area, the user thereof typically breaking the frangible area to separate them, thereby assisting in the efficient storage and transport thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting drawings:

Figures 1 (a), (b) and (c) are drawings of plan views of an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2(a) to (c) are representations of various views of an embodiment of the visor with Figure 2(d) and (e) being an enlargement of areas (i) and (ii);

Figure 2(f)(i) is an enlargement of a displacement means of the visor;

Figure 2(f)(ii) is a view of a further embodiment of the displacement means; Figures 3(a) and (b) are drawings of a top view of the visor when the shield is not displaced from the head band;

Figures 4(a) and (b) show top views of the visor when the shield has been displaced from the headband. ;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the visor; Figure 6 (a) and (b) are drawings of the end regions of an embodiment of the head band;

Figure 7(a)(i) is a drawing of an embodiment of the visor when in use;

Figure 7(a)(ii) is a drawing of a further embodiment of the visor when in use;

Figure 7(b) and (c) show two views of a further embodiment of the visor;

Figure 7(d) shows an embodiment of the adjustable engagement means; Figure 8(a) showing a view of the support means on the visor;

Figure 8(b) showing the effect of the lack of a support means on the displacement of the visor, whilst Figure 8(c) shows the effect of a support means on the displacement of the visor; and

Figure 9 shows a side view of an embodiment of the visor when not in use.

Reference numeral 10 generally refers to a visor in accordance with the invention. A visor 10 including an adjustable head band 12 for attaching the visor 10 to the head of a user 14 and a shield 16, the shield 16 being variably displaceable relative the head band 12 and the face of the user 14 when in use, and wherein the visor 10 includes at least one displacement means 18 for facilitating the variable displacement of the shield 16 relative the head band 12 and the face of the user 14 when in use. The head band 12 includes an attachment means 20 for assisting in attaching the head band

12 to the head of the user 14, the attachment means 20 including, but not be limited to, any one of more of the group including a frictional engagement means 22; a clip; a tie and the like.

In an embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 1 (b) and Figure 2, the first end region 24 of the head band 12 defines an aperture 28 for receiving at least a part of the second end region 26 of the head band 12, the first end region 24 and the second end region 26 of the head band 12 frictionally engaging, thereby assisting in releasably attaching and adjusting the head band 12 to the head of the user 14. The first 24 and second end 26 regions of the head band 12 are manufactured from any suitable material including but not limited to card board; a plastics material; a rubber composite; a frangible material, the frangible material assisting the user in removing excess length of the head band, and furthermore assisting in ensuring that there is no obstruction and/or interferences during use. The first 24 and/or second end region 26 of the head band 12 include a predefined size scale 30, the size scale represented numerically on the head band 12 and assisting the user 14 in determining a desired size of the head band 12 during use by typically re-selecting the desired size from the predefined scale size 30 when using a new visor 10.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the attachment means 20 is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the first end region 24 and the second end region 26, the attachment means 20 in the form of a frictional engagement means (not shown), shaped and dimensioned to receive at least a part of both the first end region 24 and second end region 26, the attachment means 20 assisting the user 24 in releasably attaching the first end region 24 relative the second end region 26, and thereby securing the visor 10 to the head of the user 14, the head band 12 adjustable relative the head of the user 14. In a further embodiment of the invention the attachment means 20 is separate the visor 10 and is used only when the visor 10 is in use, and is therefore re-useable.

Adjustment of the head band 12 displaces the shield 16 relative the head band 12 and/or face of the user 14, the head band 12 including a predefined size scale 34, the predefined size scale 34 represented numerically on the head band 12 and assisting the user 14 in determining a desired size of the head band 12 during use by typically re-selecting the desired size from the predefined scale size 30 when using a new visor 10.

The shield 16 is attachable to the head band 12 by the displacement means, the displacement means being any one or more of the group including a adjustable engagement means; a guide means and the like, the shield 16 defining at least one aperture 36 for receiving at least a part of the head band 12. In an embodiment of the invention, the shield 16 defines two apertures 36 that are configured to receive at least a part of the head band 12, specifically the predefined size scale 34 of the head band 12 abutting the shield 16 of the visor 10, thereby assisting in adjustably engaging the head band 12 relative the shield 16, and furthermore assisting in permitting the user 14 to adjust the shield 16 to a predefined displaced position relative the head band 12. The movement of the shield 16 relative the head band 12 assists in adjusting the shield 16 from a position adjacent the head band 12, to a position displaced from the head band 12, thereby increasing the area between the shield 16 and the face of the user 14. The further the shield 16 is displaced from the face of the user 14, the greater the ventilation and resultant comfort and the less likely fogging of the inner surface of the shield 16 will occur. The shield 16 is variably displaceable from an undisplaced position adjacent the head band

12 to a displaced position away from the head band 12.

In an embodiment of the invention as shown in figure 7(b), (c) and (d), the shield 16 defining two sides 76 and 80, the sides 76 and 82 including at least one displacement means 78 and 82, the displacement means 78 and 82 shaped and dimensioned to receive at least a part of the head band 12 and wherein the displacement means 78 and 82 facilitate the displacement of the visor 10 from the undisplaced position adjacent the head band 12 to the displaced position away from the head band. The movement of the shield 16 relative the head band 12 assisting in adjusting the shield 16 from a position adjacent the head band 12, to a position displaced from the head band 12, thereby increasing the area between the shield 16 and the face of the user 14. The displacement means 78 and 82 further assists in securing the shield 16 in the displaced position within use.

The visor 10 includes a support means 44, the support means 44 assisting in supporting the shield 16 in a position assisting in reinforcing and maintaining the curvature of the shield 16 when in use. The support means 44 is typically in the form of a layer of rubber material on the shield 16 of the visor 10, and/or a reinforced portion of the shield 16.

In an embodiment of the invention, the shield 16 is manufactured from any suitable material, specifically a light weight and disposable plastics material that comprises two aspects, the first aspect 38 being transparent and the second aspect 40 providing means for attachment to the head band 12. The second aspect 40 could also be transparent, translucent and/or opaque. The transparent aspect 38 of the shield 16 comprises a clear and lightweight plastics material, and the second aspect 40, a lightweight cardboard material. The shield 16 can be of varying sizes and is shaped and dimensioned to protect the eyes of the user 14 and is shaped and dimensioned to protect at least a further part of the face of the user 14, from exposure to bodily fluids. In various embodiments of the invention, the shield 16 includes anti-glare properties for assisting in preventing the glare from overhead lighting disturbing the view of the user, and furthermore the shield 16 is coated with an anti-fog layer, thereby assisting in preventing the view of the user 14 being obstructed by condensation forming on the shield 16. The shield 16 is furthermore shaped and dimensioned to be optically clear and thereby assisting in preventing distortion.

In a further embodiment, the shield 16 is manufactured by a plastic injection moulding process, the first 38 and second aspect 40 of the shield 16 being injection moulded as one unit and the second aspect 40 being manufactured as translucent, transparent and/or opaque material and reinforced to provided structural stability and to maintain the curvature of the shield 16 when in use.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the shield 16 is manufactured from a partially reflective and a partially transparent material, specifically a one- way mirror material. The shield 16 can also be in the form of a material assisting in protecting the eyes of the user 14 from potential exposure to a laser. The shield 16 can be manufactured from a Light emitting diode material, such material having the qualities including but not limited to high adhesion; high purity; moisture resistance; thermal stability; optical transmittance and the like.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the shield 16 includes a head-up display (not shown).

The shield 16 includes a further attachment means (not shown), the further attachment means shaped and dimensioned to releasably attach a mask 42 to the shield 16, the attachment means being any one or more of the group including, but not limited to, a clip; a hook; Velcro™ and the like. In a further embodiment of the shield 16, the mask is integral the shield 16. The mask 42 can any kind of mask as per the needs and preferences of the user 14, and is manufactured from any suitable material, typically a light weight and disposable paper material. Typically, the mask 42 is attachable to the shield 16 and simultaneously to the user 14.

In an embodiment of the invention, the visor 10 is shaped and dimensioned to include a lighting means (not shown) to assist in lighting the work area

In a further embodiment of the invention, the visor 10 includes a cap (not shown).

The visor 10 has low insulation properties, is lightweight, disposable and is useable in combination with the spectacles of the user 14, thereby assisting in preventing heat entrapment, and furthermore increasing the comfort of the user. The visor 10 is shaped and dimensioned to assist in preventing interference with the hearing or speech of the user.

The visor 10 is suitably manufactured so to assist in the storage and transport thereof, the shield 16 typically being stackable before use thereof, and the head band 12 stored and transported separately therefrom. In a further embodiment of the invention the visor 10 is assembled before storage and transportation thereof.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the visor 10 is manufactured from sheet material, whereby at least two visors or two shields are attachable to each other by a frangible area, the user thereof typically breaking the frangible area to separate them, thereby assisting in the efficient storage and transport thereof and subsequent access thereto.

Claims

Claims:

1. A visor including an adjustable head band for securing the visor to the head of a user and a shield, the shield variably displaceable relative the head band and the face of the user when in use and wherein the visor includes at least one displacement means for facilitating the variable displacement of the shield relative the head band and the face of the user when in use.

2. A visor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the shield is displaceable relative the head band and the face of the user when in use, the shield being variably displaceable from an undisplaced position adjacent the head band to a displaced position away from the head band.

3. A visor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the shield includes two sides, the sides including at least one displacement means, the displacement means shaped and dimensioned to receive at least a part of the head band and wherein the displacement means facilitates the displacement of the visor from the undisplaced position to the displaced position.

4. A visor as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of the displacement means assists in adjustable engagement of the head band relative the shield and furthermore, assists in securing the shield in the displaced position.

5. A visor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting of the head band relative the shield assists in the displacement of the shield to the displaced position from the undisplaced position, assisting in increasing the area between the shield and the face of the user and thereby assisting in increasing ventilation and reducing fogging of the visor when in use.

6. A visor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the head band, having a first end region and a second end region, includes an attachment means for assisting in securing the head band relative the head of the user, the attachment means including but not limited to any one or more of the group including a frictional engagement means, a clip, a tie and the like.

7. A visor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the attachment means is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the first end region and the second end region of the head band for assisting in securing the head band relative the head of the user.

8. A visor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the head band includes a predefined size scale for assisting the user in determining a desired size of the head band relative the head of the user when the shield is in a displaced position, and re-selecting the desired size from the predefined size scale when using a new visor.

9. A visor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the visor includes a support means, the support means including a thicker reinforced part of the shield and/or a layer of rubber on the shield, to assist in reinforcing and maintaining the curvature of the shield when in the displaced position.

10. A visor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the head band is manufactured from any suitable material.

1 1. A visor as claimed in claim 10, wherein the head band is manufactured from a frangible material, assisting the user in removing an excess length from the head band so as to remove any obstruction to the user during use thereof.

12. A visor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the shield is manufactured as a single unit from a suitable plastics material by a plastic injection moulding process.

13. A visor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the visor is shaped and dimensioned to include any one or more of the group including a cap; a mask; a lighting means; a means to reduce optical distortion and/or a head up display.

14. A visor substantially as herein described and illustrated.

15. A visor as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as herein described and illustrated.