WO2021222864A1 - Systems, devices, and/or methods for managing personal safety - Google Patents

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide an air shield helmet comprising a shell and a blower. The blower is coupled to the shell. The blower is constructed to generate an air shield in front of a face of a user of the air shield helmet. The blower can comprise an on-off switch and/or a set of blower speed control switches.

Description

Systems, Devices, and/or Methods for Managing Personal Safety Cross-References to Related Applications

[1] This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference herein in its entirety, pending United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63018369 (Attorney Docket No. 1436-01), filed April 30, 2020.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[2] A wide variety of potential practical and useful embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which:

[3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000;

[4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of system 1000;

[5] FIG. 3 is a frontal view of system 1000;

[6] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of system 1000;

[7] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of system 1000;

[8] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system

6000; and

[9] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fan 7000.

Detailed Description

[10] Certain exemplary embodiments can provide an air shield helmet comprising a shell and a blower. The blower is coupled to the shell. The blower is constructed to generate an air shield in front of a face of a user of the air shield helmet. The blower can comprise an on-off switch and/or a set of blower speed control switches.

[11] Certain exemplary embodiments are constructed to improve personal safety, particularly in times and circumstances where contagion exposure is an issue. Certain exemplary embodiments provide an air shield helmet (i.e., a hard hat), which provides a screen of filtered air to create a barrier to contagion exposure. The air shield helmet comprises a fan with air filtration capabilities to remove contagions from air that is blown in front of the air shield helmet where a wearer breathes air.

[12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000. System 1000 comprises an air shield helmet 22. Air shield helmet 22 comprises a blower 30 and a shell 92. Blower 30 is constructed to generate an air shield in front of a face of a user of air shield helmet 22. Blower 30 can comprise an on-off switch 78 and a set of blower speed control switches 50. Air entering blower 30 passes through one or more filters 44, which can be HEPA filters. Filters 44 clean air blown in front of a face of a user of air shield helmet 22.

[13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of system 1000, which illustrates a battery pack 70. Battery pack 70 comprises a disconnect switch 60. Battery pack 70 can be recharged while mounted to system 1000 or can be removable for exchange with a spare battery pack (e.g., a spare battery pack that is fully charged). System 1000 defines air intakes 56, which channel air from inside air shield helmet 22 to blower 30 via filters 44. System 1000 comprises an air shield duct 61. Air shield duct 61 is constructed to cause a sheet of clean air to be continually blown in front of a face of the user.

[14] System 1000 can be used in locations and environments where communicable diseases are of concern. For example, in pandemics such as the current coronavirus pandemic, system 1000 can be used in locations where people need to be in close proximity to one another but need to avoid becoming infected with any bacteria or virus. For example, system 1000 can be worn in restaurants, meat packing plants, vegetable packing plants, hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and/or any other location in which the spread of an airborne bacteria or virus is of concern. [15] FIG. 3 is a frontal view of system 1000, which illustrates internal portions of blower 30.

[16] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of system 1000.

[17] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of system 1000.

[18] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 6000, which comprises a air shield helmet 6100 and a face shield 6200. Systems that comprise face shield 6200 restrain external air from migrating to the proximity of a face of a user. A blower comprised by system 6000 (e.g., blower 30 of system 1000) can thereby keep contaminated air away from an area where the user breathes air.

[19] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fan 7000, which can be coupled to an air shield helmet (e.g., air shield helmet 22 of system 1000) for ventilation purposes.

Definitions

[20] When the following terms are used substantively herein, the accompanying definitions apply. These terms and definitions are presented without prejudice, and, consistent with the application, the right to redefine these terms during the prosecution of this application or any application claiming priority hereto is reserved. For the purpose of interpreting a claim of any patent that claims priority hereto, each definition (or redefined term if an original definition was amended during the prosecution of that patent), functions as a clear and unambiguous disavowal of the subject matter outside of that definition.

[21] a - at least one.

[22] activity - an action, act, step, and/or process or portion thereof.

[23] adapter - a device used to effect operative compatibility between different parts of one or more pieces of an apparatus or system. [24] air - the mixture of invisible odorless tasteless gases, comprising nitrogen and oxygen, which surrounds the earth.

[25] air shield - a substantially unidirectional flow of air that is substantially aimed. An air current can comprise HEPA filtered air, etc.

[26] air shield helmet - a protective head covering a shell of which is made of a rigid material (e.g., metal or fiberglass).

[27] and/or - either in conjunction with or in alternative to.

[28] apparatus - an appliance or device for a particular purpose.

[29] associate - to join, connect together, and/or relate.

[30] battery - one or more electrochemical cells adapted to convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy.

[31] blower - a device constructed to produce a current of air.

[32] blown - moved via a force.

[33] can - is capable of, in at least some embodiments.

[34] circuit - an electrically conductive pathway and/or a communications connection established across two or more switching devices comprised by a network and between corresponding end systems connected to, but not comprised by the network.

[35] clean air - filtered air.

[36] comprising - including but not limited to.

[37] configure - to make suitable or fit for a specific use or situation.

[38] connect - to j oin or fasten together.

[39] constructed to - made to and/or designed to.

[40] continually - substantially without interruption.

[41] convert - to transform, adapt, and/or change.

[42] couple - to link in some fashion.

[43] coupleable - capable of being joined, connected, and/or linked together.

[44] define - to establish the outline, form, or structure of.

[45] determine - to obtain, calculate, decide, deduce, and/or ascertain.

[46] device - a machine, manufacture, and/or collection thereof.

[47] duct - a pipe, tube, or channel that conveys and directs an air stream. [48] face - the front part of the head that in humans extends from the forehead to the chin and includes the mouth, nose, cheeks, and eyes.

[49] filter - (n) a device constructed to restrict passage of something entrained in an air stream; (v) to restrict passage of something entrained in an air stream.

[50] front - a forward part or surface

[51] generate - to create, produce, give rise to, and/or bring into existence.

[52] helmet - a head covering that has a hard material as a shell.

[53] HEPA - High-efficiency particulate air, also known as high-efficiency particulate absorbing and high-efficiency particulate arrestance, is an efficiency standard of air filter. Filters meeting the HEPA standard must satisfy certain levels of efficiency. Common standards require that a HEPA air filter must remove — from the air that passes through — at least 99.95% of particles whose diameter is equal to 0.3 pm; with the filtration efficiency increasing for particle diameters both less than and greater than 0.3 pm.

[54] install - to connect or set in position and prepare for use.

[55] may - is allowed and/or permitted to, in at least some embodiments.

[56] method - a process, procedure, and/or collection of related activities for accomplishing something.

[57] on-off switch - a button or toggle that electrically energizes or de energizes a circuit.

[58] pass - to go through something.

[59] plurality - the state of being plural and/or more than one.

[60] predetermined - established in advance.

[61] provide - to furnish, supply, give, and/or make available.

[62] receive - to get as a signal, take, acquire, and/or obtain.

[63] rechargeable - capable of being charged repeatedly.

[64] replaceable - capable of being substituted for something else in a substantially non-destructive manner.

[65] request - to express a desire for and/or ask for. [66] set - a related plurality.

[67] sheet - a layer of something.

[68] shell - an outer surface of a cap worn by a human that is constructed to absorb impacts when the cap comes into contact with something.

[69] speed control - a device that changes a velocity of something.

[70] store - to place, hold, and/or retain.

[71] substantially - to a great extent or degree.

[72] support - to bear the weight of, especially from below.

[73] switch - a button or toggle that causes a change in a circuit.

[74] system - a collection of mechanisms, devices, machines, articles of manufacture, processes, data, and/or instructions, the collection designed to perform one or more specific functions.

[75] transmit - to send, provide, furnish, and/or supply.

[76] user - any person that uses a device.

[77] via - by way of and/or utilizing.

Note

[78] Still other substantially and specifically practical and useful embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from reading the above-recited and/or herein-included detailed description and/or drawings of certain exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the scope of this application.

[79] Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise: [80] there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular described or illustrated characteristic, function, activity, or element, any particular sequence of activities, or any particular interrelationship of elements;

[81] no characteristic, function, activity, or element is “essential”;

[82] any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or duplicated;

[83] any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any activity can be performed in multiple jurisdictions; and

[84] any activity or element can be specifically excluded, the sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary.

[85] Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. When any range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that range includes all values therein and all subranges therein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1, 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc.

[86] When any claim element is followed by a drawing element number, that drawing element number is exemplary and non-limiting on claim scope. No claim of this application is intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC 112 unless the precise phrase “means for” is followed by a gerund.

[87] Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, United States patent application, book, article, etc.) that has been incorporated by reference herein, is only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such information and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, including a conflict that would render invalid any claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflicting information in such material is specifically not incorporated by reference herein. [88] Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An air shield helmet comprising: a shell; a blower, the blower coupled to the shell, the blower constructed to generate an air shield in front of a face of a user of the air shield helmet.

2. The air shield helmet of claim 1, further comprising: an air shield duct, the air shield duct constructed to cause a sheet of clean air to be continually blown in front of the face of the user.

3. The air shield helmet of claim 1, wherein: the blower comprises an on-off switch and a set of blower speed control switches.

4. The air shield helmet of claim 1, wherein: air enters the blower and passes through one or more filters such that clean air is blown in front of the face of the user of the air shield helmet.

5. The air shield helmet of claim 1, wherein: air enters the blower and passes through one or more HEPA filters such that clean air is blown in front of the face of the user of the air shield helmet.

6. The air shield helmet of claim 1, wherein: the blower comprises a battery, the battery coupled to a disconnect switch.

7. The air shield helmet of claim 1, wherein: the blower comprises a replaceable and rechargeable battery.