U.S. patent application number 12/387304 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-04 for cannula attaching apparatus, hat having means for attaching cannula and method thereof..
Invention is credited to Ethel Gibson, Thomas Gibson.
Application Number | 20100275343 12/387304 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43029258 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100275343 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gibson; Thomas ; et
al. |
November 4, 2010 |
Cannula attaching apparatus, hat having means for attaching cannula
and method thereof.
Abstract
An attaching apparatus and method that is adaptable to a
pre-existing hat for holding the cannula of an oxygen user while he
or she is mobile, and a hat that is capable of easily and removably
attaching a cannula and can be desirably worn in public.
Inventors: |
Gibson; Thomas; (Acworth,
GA) ; Gibson; Ethel; (Acworth, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Woodcock Washburn LLP
2929 Arch Street
Philadelphia
PA
19104
US
|
Family ID: |
43029258 |
Appl. No.: |
12/387304 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/0683 20130101;
A42B 1/24 20130101; A61M 16/0672 20140204 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/209.13 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/24 20060101
A42B001/24 |
Claims
1. A hat for holding a cannula, comprising: (a) a hat; and (b) a
plurality of cannula attaching means carried by said hat proximal
to the user's ears;
2. The hat for holding a cannula of claim 1, wherein said cannula
attaching means are hook-arid-loop fasteners.
3. The hat for holding a cannula of claim 1, wherein said cannula
attaching means are clips.
4. The hat for holding a cannula of claim 1, wherein said cannula
attaching means are hooks.
5. The hat for holding a cannula of claim 3, wherein each said
clips comprise a first ring, and wherein said first ring is
attached to said hat.
6. The hat for holding a cannula of claim 4, wherein each of said
hooks comprise a first ring, a second ring and a u-shaped portion,
and wherein said first and second rings are attached to said
hat.
7. A method of holding a cannula off of a user's ear, comprising
the steps of: (a) attaching a cannula holding means to a hat; (b)
attaching a portion of the cannula to said cannula holding means,
wherein the cannula is not touching the ear of the user during
mobility.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said cannula holding means are
hook-and-loop fasteners.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein said cannula holding means are
clips.
10. The method of claim wherein said cannula holding means are
hooks.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein each of said Clips comprise a
first ring, and wherein said first ring is attached to said
hat.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein each of said hooks comprise a
first ring, a second ring and a u-shaped portion, and wherein said
first and second rings are attached to said hat.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to attaching devices
for cannulas and medical tubing, and more Specifically to an
attaching apparatus and method that is adaptable to a hat for
holding the cannulas of an oxygen user while he or she is
mobile.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Because of various and common health reasons, many
individuals must utilize the assistance of pressurize oxygen to
breath. The level and frequency of use will depend on several
factors, however, it is often the case wherein a person must
utilize the assistance of pressurized oxygen during physical
movement. To facilitate same, portable oxygen systems, such as
tanks of oxygen concentrators, have been developed to allow more
mobility to oxygen deficient users. Whether the individual is
utilizing (stationary or portable oxygen systems, a tube (known as
the cannula) is attached at one end to the oxygen source and the
other end to the user. The traditional cannula is held in place by
wrapping a portion of the tube around the user's ears.
[0003] However, this method has many disadvantages. The area behind
an individual's ear is extremely tender; thus, use of the cannula
in this means (even for a short period of time but especially long
term or while mobile) causes the user discomfort, and may cause
itching, chafing and even sores. A few possible solutions have been
proposed; however, these solutions have been deficient for a
multitude of reasons.
[0004] One attempted solution is a soft overwrap that fits on the
tube and behind the user's ear. However, this solution is deficient
in that it is bulky and uncomfortable for any extended use. Another
attempted solution is shown in U.S. Pat. No. ______ to ______,
although this attempted solution works better at solving the
problem at hand (user discomfort), it is still deficient and falls
short. More specifically, the ______ patent, is a head cover (i.e.,
hospital cap) intended to be utilized while immobile. Caps of this
type are known to slip off if the patient is moving, and moreover,
are unattractive and thus not likely to be worn in public by a
user. Additionally, the device disclosed in the '______ patent is
not adaptable to pre-existing hats and ball caps such as are
typically worn in public.
[0005] Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for
an attaching apparatus and method that is adaptable to a
pre-existing hat for holding the cannula of an oxygen user while he
or she mobile. There is still a further need for a hat that is
capable of easily' and removably attaching a cannula and can be
desirably worn in public.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0006] The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned
disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such an apparatus
by providing an attaching apparatus and method that is adaptable to
a hat for holding the cannula of an oxygen user while he or she is
mobile.
[0007] More specifically, the present invention in its preferred
form provides a means for holding the cannula in a secure position
such that a user does not have to wrap a portion of the tube around
the tender back area of his or her ear. In addition, all
embodiments allow for quick release of the tube such. that a user
can easily remove the hat and still have use of the cannula,
[0008] Thus, with its major aspects generally described above and
below, the present invention is highly effective in reducing the
discomforts associated with typical oxygen users. Accordingly, a
feature and advantage. of the present invention is its ability to
provide a means for eliminating the typical attaching method of
wrapping a tube around the user's ear.
[0009] Another feature and advantage of the present invention is
its ability to provide a means for quick release of the tube from
the attaching means and/or hat.
[0010] Still another feature and advantage of the present invention
is its ability to be easily adapted to a hat thus allowing the use
of the device in public while the user wears a hat of his or her
choosing.
[0011] Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention
is its ability to be manufactured inexpensively.
[0012] Yet still another feature and advantage of the present
invention is its ability for the tube to be easily released or
engaged such that users with dexterity problems can operate.
[0013] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from
the following description and claims when read in light of the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention will. be better understood by reading
the Detailed Description with reference to the accompanying drawing
figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure
and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention as shown on a user;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the present invention as shown on a user;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side view of the attaching clip of the alternate
embodiment as shown in FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front view of the attaching clip of the
alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the present invention as shown on a user;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of the attaching clip of the alternate
embodiment as shown in FIG. 5; and
[0021] FIG. 7 is a front view of the attaching clip of the
alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATIVE
EMBODIMENTS
[0022] In describing the preferred and selected alternate
embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1.7,
specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The
invention is not, however, intended to be limited to the specific
terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each
specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in
a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention in a
preferred embodiment is hat having two cannula holding means
attached proximal the user's ear and is referred to by reference
number 10. preferably, the device 10 comprises hat 12 and two
hook-and-loop holding flaps 20. Each hook-and-loop holding flap 20
comprises a first portion 22 and a second portion 24, wherein
portion 22 is attached to hat 12 via glue, sewing or some other
suitable attaching means on either side of hat 12 proximal to the
user's ear. Second portion 24 extends from first portion 22 such
that second portion 24 may be folded to allow hook-and loop
fastener on the inside portions of first portion 22 and second
portion 24 to mate.
[0024] In Use, the user can simply pull down second portion 24 and
place a portion 32 of cannula 30 therebetween said first portion 22
and said second portion 24 then fold up second portion 24 thus
mating the hook-and-loop and releasably locking cannula 30 therein.
To remove, the user Can simply pull down on second portion 24 to
release portion 32 of cannula 30.
[0025] Now referring to FIGS. 2-4, the present invention in an
alternate embodiment is hat having two cannula holding means
attached proximal the user's ear and is referred to by reference
number 100. Preferably, the device 100 comprises hat 112 and two
clips 120. Each hook 120 comprises a ring portion 122, a flexible
arm 126, a second arm 124, a u-shaped portion 125 and neck 128,
wherein ring portion 122 is attached to the hat 112 via preferably
sewing, or some other suitable attaching means such as snaps or
rivots, on either side of hat 112 proximal to the user's ear.
Extending from ring portion 122 is neck 128 followed by clipping
portion 129. Clipping portion 129 comprises a flexible or pivotable
arm 126 that is urged in the closed position against second arm
124.
[0026] In use, the user pushes inward on arm 126 and then slides a
portion 32 of cannula 30 within clip 120 allowing portion 32 to
rest against u-shaped portion 125 thus holding cannula 30 in place.
To remove, the user can push inward on arm 126 and thus release
portion 32 of cannula 30 therefrom.
[0027] Now referring to FIGS. 5-7, the present invention in an
alternate embodiment is hat having two cannula holding means
attached proximal the user's ear and is referred to by reference
number 200. Preferably, the device 200 comprises hat 212 and two
hooks 220. Each hook 220 comprises a first ring portion 222, a
second ring portion 224 and a u-shaped portion 226, wherein ring
portions 222 and 224 are attached to the hat 212 via preferably
sewing, or some other suitable attaching means such as snaps or
rivots, on either side of hat 212 proximal to the user's ear.
Extending from ring portions 222 and 224 is u-shaped portion
226.
[0028] In use, the user simply slides a portion 32 of cannula 30
within hooks 220 allowing portion 32 to rest within u-shaped
portion 226 thus holding cannula 30 in place. To remove, the user
simply lifts portion 32 of cannula 30 therefrom.
[0029] Having thus described the preferred and exemplary alternate
embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those
skilled in the art that the foregoing disclosures are exemplary
only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and
modifications may be made within the scope of the present version
of the invention. Accordingly, the present version of the invention
is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but
is limited only by the following claims.
* * * * *