Transport hood having perforations

Abstract

A transport hood protects conveying personnel from exposure to blood and body fluids of a detainee and avoids discomfort and breathing difficulty to the detainee if the blood and body fluids accumulate and are retained within the transport hood. The transport hood includes a top portion made of an open mesh material that is positioned over the head of the detainee to below the eyes of the detainee. A bottom portion made of a breathable material impervious to the blood and body fluids of the detainee is joined to the top portion below the eyes of the detainee and extends downwardly to below the chin of the detainee. The bottom portion has a plurality of perforations formed through the breathable material that allow the blood and body fluids issued by the detainee to drain from the bottom portion of the transport hood under the influence of gravity.

Claims

1. A transport hood for a detainee, comprising: a top portion made of an open mesh material that is substantially transparent and configured to extend over and around the head of the detainee, the top portion having a lowermost edge; and a bottom portion made of a breathable material that is impervious to blood and body fluids of the detainee and configured to extend around the head of the detainee, the bottom portion having an uppermost edge and a lowermost edge; wherein a plurality of perforations are formed through the breathable material of the bottom portion and located so as to be positioned between the mouth and the neck of the detainee with the transport hood secured over the head of the detainee, the perforations being configured and operable to allow the blood and body fluids of the detainee to drain from the breathable material and thereby prevent the blood and body fluids of the detainee from accumulating and being retained within the bottom portion of the transport hood.

2. The transport hood of claim 1, wherein each of the perforations defines an elongate, relatively narrow, slit having a length between about one-half inch and about four inches.

3. The transport hood of claim 2, wherein each of the perforations has a length between about one inch and about two inches and a width between about one-quarter inch and about three-quarters inches.

4. The transport hood of claim 1, wherein each of the perforations defines a continuous linear slit.

5. The transport hood of claim 1, wherein each of the perforations defines a continuous nonlinear slit.

6. The transport hood of claim 1, wherein each of the perforations defines a louvered slit comprising a primary portion and an angled extension portion disposed on at least one end of the primary portion.

7. The transport hood of claim 1, wherein the perforations define two or more generally parallel rows of elongate, relatively narrow, slits.

8. The transport hood of claim 1, wherein the material of the top portion is a fine mesh nylon material.

9. The transport hood of claim 1, wherein the material of the bottom portion is a substantially opaque polypropylene cloth.

10. The transport hood of claim 1, further comprising a first length of elastic disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion for gathering the top portion and the bottom portion below the eyes and above the nose of the detainee.

11. The transport hood of claim 10, wherein the first length of elastic is attached to the lowermost edge of the top portion and to the uppermost edge of the bottom portion.

12. The transport hood of claim 10, further comprising a second length of elastic for gathering the bottom portion just below the chin of the detainee.

13. The transport hood of claim 12, wherein the second length of elastic is attached to the lowermost edge of the bottom portion.

14. The transport hood of claim 12, wherein the first length of elastic secures the transport hood on the head of the detainee and the second length of elastic secures the transport hood around the neck of the detainee.

15. A transport hood for conveying a detainee and for protecting conveying personnel from exposure to blood and body fluids of the detainee, while avoiding discomfort and potential breathing difficulty to the detainee as a result of the blood and body fluids accumulating and being retained within the transport hood, the transport hood comprising: a dome-shaped top portion made of a substantially transparent open mesh material and having a lowermost edge, the top portion configured to be positioned over the head of the detainee with the lowermost edge of the top portion between the eyes and the nose of the detainee; and a cylinder-shaped bottom portion made of a breathable material that is impervious to the blood and body fluids of the detainee, the bottom portion having an uppermost edge joined to the lowermost edge of the top portion, the bottom portion being configured to extend downwardly to below the chin of the detainee, the bottom portion having a plurality of perforations formed through the breathable material that are operable for allowing the blood and body fluids of the detainee to drain from the bottom portion of the transport hood.

16. The transport hood of claim 15, wherein the breathable material is a substantially opaque, medical grade polypropylene cloth.

17. The transport hood of claim 15, further comprising a first length of elastic disposed between the lowermost edge of the top portion and the uppermost edge of the bottom portion for gathering the top portion and the bottom portion below the eyes and above the nose of the detainee.

18. The transport hood of claim 17, further comprising a second length of elastic disposed at the lowermost edge of the bottom portion for gathering the bottom portion below the chin and about the neck of the detainee.

19. The transport hood of claim 15, further comprising a cinching grommet having an opening formed therethrough for receiving and securing an amount of the top portion sufficient to position the lowermost edge of the top portion and the uppermost edge of the bottom portion below the eyes and above the nose of the detainee when the transport hood is secured on the head of the detainee.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompany drawing figures, wherein like reference characters are used to identify the same or similar parts, components, features or elements of the invention in the different views.

(2) FIG. 1 is an environmental front elevation view showing an exemplary embodiment of a transport hood according to the invention including a top portion and a bottom portion having a plurality of perforations with the transport hood positioned over the head of a detainee.

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation view of the transport hood taken along the line 2-2 indicated in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is an environmental front elevation view showing another exemplary embodiment of a transport hood according to the invention with an alternative pattern of the plurality of perforations formed through the bottom portion and the transport hood positioned over the head of a detainee.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

(5) Referring now specifically to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 is an environmental front elevation view of a protective head covering, referred to herein as a transport hood, 10 according to the invention. The transport hood 10 comprises a generally dome-shaped top portion 12 and a generally cylinder-shaped bottom portion 14. As shown herein, a lowermost edge 13 of the top portion 12 is joined to an uppermost edge 15 of the bottom portion 14 by a first length of an elastic material 16 that extends around the circumference of the transport hood 10. As a result, the top portion 12 and the bottom portion 14 of the transport hood 10 together define a unitary, generally dome-shaped structure that is substantially symmetric about an axis indicated by the section line 2-2 in FIG. 1 that is oriented vertically in the accompanying drawing figures. As shown herein, an optional second length of elastic material 18 extends around the circumference of the transport hood 10 at a lowermost edge 17 of the bottom portion 14.

(6) The transport hood 10 is configured to be positioned over the head of a detainee, indicated generally by reference character D, such as a mentally ill patient, or a person under arrest or a prisoner in the custody of law enforcement personnel. Typically, the transport hood 10 is used to protect law enforcement personnel and other custodians, collectively referred to herein as conveying personnel, from exposure to blood and/or body fluids issued by the detainee D. As shown, the top portion 12 of the transport hood 10 covers the upper portion of the head of the detainee D from just below the eyes, for example at the bridge of the nose, upwards to the top of the head. In the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein, the top portion 12 is made of a substantially transparent material, and more particularly, an open mesh material. The open mesh material may be formed from a sheet or a film of a plastic or composite material. In a preferred embodiment, however, the open mesh material is formed from a fabric material, such as a cloth produced by weaving or knitting textile fibers. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the top portion 12 is made of a relatively fine, open mesh nylon material. The openings provided in the open mesh material are sized large enough so that the vision of the detainee D is not significantly obstructed, but are not so large as to interfere with identification of the facial features (e.g., eyes, nose, ears, etc.) of the detainee, or to allow the detainee to reposition the transport hood 10 while his or her arms are restrained.

(7) As shown, the bottom portion 14 covers the lower portion of the head and at least a portion of the neck of the detainee D from just below the detainee's eyes, for example at the bridge of the nose, downwards to the detainee' neck. The bottom portion 14 is made of a breathable plastic, composite or fabric material that is impervious to liquids, and in particular, is impervious to the blood and body fluids of the detainee D, such as blood, spit and/or vomit. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the bottom portion 14 is made of a material that is breathable, yet is impervious to bacteria borne by the blood and body fluids that may issue from the detainee D. The bottom portion 14 may be made of a substantially transparent, a translucent or an opaque material. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the bottom portion 14 is made of a substantially opaque polypropylene cloth material of the type commonly used in medical and surgical apparel that provides an effective barrier against pathogens borne by blood and body fluids. Such a material is commonly referred to as a medical grade fabric. If desired, the bottom portion 14 may comprise two or more layers made of the same material, or of a different material. Regardless, the material of the bottom portion 14 does not significantly inhibit, restrict or interfere with the ability of the detainee D to breathe normally.

(8) The first circumferential length of elastic 16 is preferably sewn to the lowermost edge 13 of the top portion 12 and to the uppermost edge 15 of the bottom portion 14 so that the top portion and the bottom portion are not easily torn apart under conditions of normal wear and use. The first length of elastic 16 gathers the top portion 12 and the bottom portion 14 of the transport hood 10 just below the eyes of the detainee D, yet loosely retains the transport hood 10 on the head of the detainee without being uncomfortable or unreasonably restraining. The second circumferential length of elastic 18 is preferably sewn to the lowermost edge 17 of the bottom portion 14 of the transport hood 10. The second length of elastic 18 may have substantially the same length as the first length of elastic 16, but preferably, has a shorter length and/or greater elasticity. Regardless, the second length of elastic 18 is long enough, or alternatively elastic enough, to allow the transport hood 10 to be easily stretched over the head of the detainee D and to subsequently secure the transport hood around the neck of the detainee without being uncomfortable or interfering with the ability of the detainee to breathe normally.

(9) FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation view of the transport hood 10 configured to protect conveying personnel from exposure to the blood and body fluids of a detainee D. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the transport hood 10 comprises at least one, and preferably, a plurality of perforations 20 formed through the bottom portion 14 that are provided to avoid any discomfort and possible breathing difficulty experienced by the detainee D as a result of blood or body fluids of the detainee that may accumulate and be retained within the bottom portion of the transport hood.

(10) The perforations 20 are formed through the breathable plastic, composite or fabric material of the bottom portion 14. As such, the perforations 20 form at least one, and preferably, a plurality of perforated or continuous openings through the breathable material of the bottom portion 14. The perforations 20 may be formed in any suitable manner, for example by cutting, punching, impaling or otherwise penetrating through the breathable material of the bottom portion 14. In one embodiment, the perforations 20 define generally elongate, relatively narrow cuts or slits formed through the breathable material of the bottom portion 14. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the perforations 20 comprise a plurality of generally elongate, relatively narrow, continuous slits that are arranged in at least a pair of generally parallel, generally horizontal rows.

(11) When the transport hood 10 is positioned over the head of the detainee D, the perforations 20 are located between the mouth and the neck of the detainee. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the perforations 20 are located on the bottom portion 14 proximate the lowermost edge 17 of the bottom portion and the optional second circumferential length of elastic 18 so that the perforations are positioned slightly below the chin of the detainee D. Locating the perforations 20 below the chin of the detainee D prevents the detainee from accidently or intentionally expelling body fluids, such as blood, spit, vomit and/or expectorant, from his or her nose or mouth outwardly into direct contact with conveying personnel.

(12) As shown, the perforations 20 are generally linear shaped. However, if desired, the perforations 20 may be nonlinear shaped, for example curvilinear or shaped with a complex curvature. In addition, the perforations may be oriented in a generally vertical direction, in a generally horizontal direction, or alternatively, in one or more random directions. The perforations 20 may have any suitable length, but preferably, are between about one-half inch in length and about four inches in length. More preferably, each perforation is between about one inch in length and about two inches in length. The perforations 20 may have any suitable width, but preferably, are between about one-quarter of an inch in width and about three-quarters of an inch in width. Regardless, the perforated or continuous openings, cuts or slits of the perforations 20 alleviate discomfort to the detainee D by increasing ventilation in the bottom portion 14 of the transport hood 10 and by preventing any blood or body fluids issued by the detainee, such as blood, spit, vomit and/or expectorant, from accumulating and being retained within the bottom portion of the transport hood. Thus, the detainee D is not subjected to discomfort or possible breathing difficulty that could cause injury to the detainee D as a result of unconsciousness and/or hypoxia.

(13) A transport hood 10 according to the present invention may also comprise an optional cinching grommet 30 of the type shown and described in the aforementioned Cominsky '203 patent issued to the same inventor. The cinching grommet 30 has an opening formed therethrough configured to receive an amount of the top portion 12 of the transport hood 10 sufficient to position the first circumferential length of elastic 16, and consequently, the lowermost edge 13 of the top portion 12 and the uppermost edge 15 of the bottom portion 14, just below the eyes of the detainee D, for example at the bridge of the nose. The cinching grommet 30 gathers and secures the appropriate amount of the top portion 12 of the transport hood 10 so that the perforations 20 are properly positioned for the particular size and shape of the head of the detainee D when the transport hood is secured over the head of the detainee. In this manner the perforations 20 formed through the breathable material of the bottom portion 14 effectively protect conveying personnel from exposure to, contact with, and/or transmittal of the blood and body fluids of the detainee D, while at the same time avoiding discomfort and possible breathing difficulty to the detainee.

(14) FIG. 3 is an environmental front elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of a transport hood 10 according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the perforations 40 may take the form of louvered cuts or slits located just below the chin of the detainee D. As such, each perforation 40 comprises a generally linear or curvilinear primary portion 42 and an angled extension portion 44 at one or both ends of the primary portion. Alternatively, one or more of the perforations 40 may define a relatively narrow chevron shape that is oriented in a generally horizontal direction. Regardless, each louvered perforation 40 defines an extensible flap that tends to extend outwardly under the influence of a positive pressure behind the breathable material of the bottom portion 14 of the transport hood 10. Accordingly, blood or body fluids of the detainee D that accumulate within the bottom portion 14 of the transport hood 10 cause the louvered perforation(s) 40 to extend outwardly (i.e. open) and thereby allow the blood or body fluids of the detainee to drain from the breathable, yet impervious, bottom portion of the transport hood under the influence of gravity. As shown, the perforations 40 may define one or more generally parallel, generally horizontal, rows of elongate, relatively narrow louvered cuts or slits, as previously described with respect to perforations 20. Furthermore, each of the perforations 40 may be generally linear in shape, generally curvilinear in shape, or alternatively, shaped with a complex curvature.

(15) Exemplary embodiments of a transport hood 10 according to the present invention for protecting conveying personnel, while avoiding discomfort and possible breathing difficulty to a detainee, have been shown and described herein. However, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited in any manner to the specific embodiments illustrated herein or by the description of the embodiments provided herein. Instead, the present invention, and in particular the appended claims, are intended to be given the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the written description and accompany drawing figures.