Utility belt for medical personnel

Abstract

A utility belt, especially for use by medical personnel, has a first strip of material adapted to encircle the waist of a person wearing the belt, and a second strip attached to an outer face of the first strip. The second strip has one or more partial loops formed therein, defining attaching points for connection of one or more items to the belt. At least one of the items is connected to the belt by an extensible device that permits the item to be pulled away from the belt and used without disconnecting it from the belt. The belt is made of a material that can be washed and sterilized.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to utility belts for holding tools, supplies, and the like, and particularly to a utility belt for medical personnel. [0003] 2. The Prior Art [0004] Utility belts are known in the art for use in a variety of trades, including use by police, military personnel, and tradesmen such as carpenters, painters, electricians, and the like. Conventional utility belts generally are made of leather or heavy canvas or other material having sufficient strength and durability for the intended use, and typically are provided with pockets or pouches for holding items, and / or loops or other supports for suspending various items from the belt. Tools and the like are removed from their supports for use. The pouches and / or other supports usually are of fixed size and location on the belt, although some prior art belts have means to enable the arrangement or placement of the supports to be varied. [0005] Most medic...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention is a utility belt, especially for use by medical personnel, that offers great flexibility in its use, and that has means to enable tools and other items to be used without having to separate or detach them from the belt.

[0008] The belt of the invention comprises a first elongate strip of material having sufficient strength and durability to withstand the rigors of use, with a buckle or other fastener at the ends to secure the belt about the waist of a person. In a preferred embodiment the belt is made of a canvas material that is relatively flexible and lightweight, and that is washable (for sanitary purposes) after all accoutrements are removed. The belt has a width that provides support over a relatively wide area to distribute the weight of the belt and items held thereby, for comfort and ease of use. The length of the belt is easily adjustable, preferably at the buckle end, so that it can be adapted to fit different persons.

[0011] Items commonly used by a medical professional, such as dressing scissors, hemostats, an analog watch for counting respirations and taking pulse, and the like, for example, and identification or security cards for gaining access to secure locations, and / or other items of like or different nature, can be connected to the attachment points by extensible devices that enable the items to remain connected to the belt while they are being used. A pouch or pouches for holding items such as pens and / or other items can be attached to the belt in an easily accessible location. All items, including the extensible devices, can be connected to the attachment points by releasable fasteners such as carabiner clips, for example, so that the various items can be attached to the belt at desired locations, or removed entirely if desired. Some items, such as rolls of tape or the like, because of their nature, can remain attached to the belt during use even if not connected to the belt through an extensible device. The belt of the invention eliminates the need for medical professionals to empty all the loose items from the pockets of their scrub jacket prior to washing.

Problems solved by technology

Most medical personnel usually place needed items in the pockets of their jacket, adding weight that is concentrated in the neck and shoulders of the wearer, leading to fatigue.

Moreover, items removed from a pocket and used are sometimes mislaid or forgotten.

These prior art devices are fixed in configuration and do not offer much flexibility in their use.

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