CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial

No. 62/831,013, filed on April 8, 2019, entitled "ACCESSORY FOR MANIKIN TRAINING DEVICE," the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present application is directed to an accessory for a medical training device, and more particularly to an accessory for a portable training manikin for teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Providing inexpensive medical training manikins which can be used in a training environment for groups of trainees has become an important component of first aid training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Such medical training manikins are of necessity lightweight for easy transportation to the training site, as well as compact for ease of packing and carrying, and for simple and quick assembly.

[0004] To ensure that the training manikin devices provide a realistic training experience, clothing, such as a shirt, has been added to the training manikin so that performing CPR and AED device training includes the realistic and required step of removing clothing from the manikin torso to expose the chest prior to use of an AED training device, Unfortunately, as the training manikins are of such a lightweight material and simple construction, the use of clothing on the manikin torso during the first step of CPR training may make it difficult for the student to maintain the manikin in proper position during use. The manikin "wearing" mock clothing has a tendency to slip or move across the floor surface when the student applies a load to the manikin torso portion during CPR training. Although a rubber or foam pad, or other anti-skid material, could be used on the floor to support the manikin during training, the addition of such materials requires added weight and space for storage, and time-consuming management by the trainer.

[0005] While many manikin clothing accessories, such as a mock shirt or jacket, are provided by manikin manufacturers, none of the clothing accessories incorporates any anti-slip features to overcome this problem.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present clothing accessory for a medical training device provides a number of improved features over prior clothing accessory manikin products. The present accessory is a mock shirt, jacket or other clothing for fitting a CPR training manikin. The accessory may appear from the front as a mock shirt or jacket when "worn" by the manikin. The clothing accessory has a front panel and a back panel. An anti-slip feature is added to the back panel of the accessory. The anti-slip feature may take a variety of forms, such as the use of elastomeric "feet" or button-like projections sewn, or otherwise attached, at the corners or additional locations on the back or back panel of the accessory. In another embodiment, the entire back panel of the accessory may be manufactured of elastomeric material. While these embodiments of the anti-slip feature may provide sufficient resistance to movement of the manikin, the potential for removal of the "feet," the labor cost to add the "feet," and the expensive of elaborate elastomeric materials, may be significant.

[0007] Thus, the preferred embodiment of the anti-slip feature is to manufacture the back panel of the accessory from a fabric material that has been manufactured to include small silicone rubber dots or nibs secured to, and extending out of, the surface of the fabric. The use of this anti-slip feature would be provided as the entire back panel, or strips within the hack panel, of the mock shirt, such that the dots of silicone would be in contact with the floor surface when the mock clothing is on the manikin or manikin torso. The clothing accessory may be manufactured with an elastomeric portion along a bottom edge to secure the clothing accessory on the manikin, and also provide a realistic item of clothing. Alternatively, Velcro®, snap or button closures may also be provided to secure the bottom edge. The front closure along the front panel may also be a zipper, Velcro®, snaps or button closures. As shown, the mock clothing accessory need not have arm portions, but requires a neck opening, an ability to remove the clothing, such as opening the front to access the chest of the manikin, and a bottom edge which retains the clothing accessory on the manikin torso. As shown, the clothing accessory includes a two-piece front panel, and a one piece back panel. However, the back panel may be provided in strips containing the anti-slip feature.

[0008] The anti-slip feature disclosed in this application may make use of a variety of materials, including any of the following:

Natural Rubber (NR)

Synthetic Polyisoprene (IR)

Butyl rubber (copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene, HR)

Halogenated butyl rubbers (Chloro Butyl Rubber: CIIR; Bromo Butyl Rubber: BUR)

Polybutadiene (BR)

Styrene-butadiene Rubber (copolymer of polystyrene and polybutadiene, SBR)

Nitrile Rubber (copolymer of polybutadiene and acrylonitrile, NBR), also called

Buna N rubbers Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubbers (HNBR) (examples of brand names: Therban and

Zetpol)

Chloroprene Rubber (CR), polychloroprene, Neoprene, Baypren etc.

EPM (ethylene propylene rubber, a copolymer of ethylene and propylene) and

EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene rubbera terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a diene-component)

Epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO)

Polyacrylic rubber (ACM, ABR)

Silicone rubber (SI, Q, VMQ)

Fluorosilicone Rubber (FVMQ)

Fluoroelastomers (FKM, and FEPM) (examples of brand names: Viton, Tecnoflon, Fluorel, Atlas and Dai-El)

Perfluoroelastomers (FFKM) (examples of brand names: Tecnoflon PFR, Kalrez, Chemraz, Perlast)

Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSM), (examples of brand names: Hypalon)

Ethyl ene-vinyl acetate (EVA)

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), (examples of brand names: Elastron, etc.)

Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (TPV), (examples of brand names: Santoprene TPV) Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)

Thermoplastic Olefins (TPO)

The proteins resilin and elastin

Polysulfide Rubber

Various copolymer technologies continue to bring new elastomers to the market. [0009] Additionally, it is understood that such an anti-slip feature may be included in clothing accessories for adult, child and infant medical training manikins. In the case of an infant manikin clothing accessory may be an infant "onesie" or other infant clothing, with portions of the back of such clothing provided of anti-slip material having the silicone dots embedded as described.

[00010] A further advantage of the clothing accessory of the present application is that the front panel of the shirt or jacket may also be provided with a logo marking indicating a desired sponsor, advertiser, or manufacturer of the accessory product. The use of logo markings for such sponsorship or advertising purposes enables recognition of a sponsor of the training manikins, and encourages such sponsors to provide training equipment for educational purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00011] Fig. 1 is a front view of a clothing accessory of the present application worn on a medical training device.

[00012] Fig. 2 is a front view of the clothing accessory.

[00013] Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the back panel of the clothing accessory with the anti-slip feature.

[00014] Fig. 5 is a close-up view of fabric material suitable for use as the back panel with the anti-slip feature, and showing the dots or nibs in the fabric material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00015] The present clothing accessory may be a mock shirt, jacket or other clothing for fitting a CPR training manikin such as, for example, the clothing accessory 10 shown in FIG. 1. The clothing accessory may appear from the front as a mock shirt or jacket when "worn" by the manikin. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the clothing accessory 10 may include a front panel 12 and a back panel 14. However, it is understood that in other embodiments, the clothing accessory may have only a front or back panel. In other embodiments, the clothing accessory may include one or more panels in addition to the front panel and back panel such as, for example, side panels.

[00016] The clothing accessory may include an anti-slip feature added to the back panel of the accessory. The anti-slip feature can be added to the outside and/or the inside surface of the back panel. The anti-slip feature may take a variety of forms, such as the use of elastomeric "feet" or button-like projections sewn, adhered, or otherwise attached, at the corners or additional locations on the back or back panel of the clothing accessory. In some embodiments, a portion of the back panel or the entire back panel of the clothing accessory may be manufactured of elastomeric material to form the anti-slip feature. In some embodiments, the back panel may include a plurality of anti-slip features such as, for example, elastomeric features extending outwardly from the surface of the back panel such as, for example, dots, ribs, or nibs. Such features may be integral to the material forming the back panel or separate and distinct from the material forming the back panel.

[00017] Referring to FIG. 5, the back panel 14, in some embodiments, may include a substrate material such as, for example, a fabric material 16, that has been manufactured to include a plurality of the anti-slip features 20, for example, a plurality of small silicone rubber dots or nibs secured to, and extending out of, the surface of the fabric 16.

[00018] In one or more of the embodiments shown and described herein, the anti-slip feature may be provided along a portion of the back panel 14 (e.g., groupings or in strip sections along the back panel) or along a substantial portion or all of the back panel 14 such that the anti-slip feature (e.g., anti-slip features 20) would be in contact with the surface that the manikin with the mock clothing accessory installed would be placed upon for use such as, for example, a floor surface.

[00019] The clothing accessory may be manufactured with an elastomeric portion along a bottom edge to secure the clothing accessory on the manikin (e.g., attempt to prevent the clothing from sliding or moving out of place on the manikin) and also provide a realistic item of clothing. Alternatively, Velcro®, snap or button closures may also be provided to secure the bottom edge of the clothing accessory to the manikin. The front closure along the front panel may also be a zipper, Velcro®, snaps or button closures. As shown, the mock clothing accessory need not have arm portions, but requires a neck opening, an ability to remove the clothing, such as opening the front to access the chest of the manikin, and a bottom edge which retains the clothing accessory on the manikin torso. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the clothing accessory includes a two-piece front panel, and a one piece back panel. However, the back panel may be provided in strips containing the anti-slip feature.

[00020] The anti-slip feature disclosed in this application may make use of or be formed by a variety of materials, including any of the following, singularly or in combination:

Natural Rubber (NR)

Synthetic Polyisoprene (IR)

Butyl rubber (copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene, HR)

Halogenated butyl rubbers (Chloro Butyl Rubber: CIIR; Bromo Butyl Rubber: BUR)

Polybutadiene (BR) Styrene-butadiene Rubber (copolymer of polystyrene and polybutadiene, SBR)

Nitrile Rubber (copolymer of polybutadiene and acrylonitrile, NBR), also called Buna N rubbers

Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubbers (HNBR) (examples of brand names: Therban and

Zetpol)

Chloroprene Rubber (CR), polychloroprene, Neoprene, Baypren etc.

EPM (ethylene propylene rubber, a copolymer of ethylene and propylene) and

EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene rubbera terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a diene-component)

Epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO)

Polyacrylic rubber (ACM, ABR)

Silicone rubber (SI, Q, VMQ)

Fluorosilicone Rubber (FVMQ)

Fluoroelastomers (FKM, and FEPM) (examples of brand names: Viton, Tecnoflon, Fluorel, Atlas and Dai-El)

Perfluoroelastomers (FFKM) (examples of brand names: Tecnoflon PFR, Kalrez, Chemraz, Perlast)

Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSM), ((examples of brand names: Hypalon)

Ethyl ene-vinyl acetate (EVA)

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), (examples of brand names: Elastron, etc.)

Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (TPV), (examples of brand names: Santoprene TPV) Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)

Thermoplastic Olefins (TPO) The proteins resilin and elastin

Polysulfide Rubber

Various copolymer technologies continue to bring new elastomers to the market and can be used as part of or to form the anti-slip feature.

[00021] Additionally, it is understood that such an anti-slip feature may be included in clothing accessories for adult, child and infant medical training manikins. In the case of an infant manikin clothing accessory may be an infant "onesie" or other infant clothing; with portions of the back of such clothing provided of anti-slip material having the silicone dots embedded as described.

[00022] In some embodiments, the clothing accessory’s front panel and/or back panel may include one or more indicia such as, for example, a name, trade name, brand name, trademark, service mark, logo, or any other indicia used to identify one or more persons, entities, products, services, training, seminars, and/or brands. Such indicia may indicate a desired sponsor, advertiser, or manufacturer of a product, including for example, a manufacturer of the clothing accessory, or a provider of a service. In some embodiments, the use of such indicia enables recognition of a sponsor of the training manikins, and encourages such sponsors to provide training equipment for educational purposes.

[00023] In a first example, a CPR manikin mock clothing accessory including front panel and a back panel connected to the front panel, the back panel having an anti-slip feature, wherein the mock clothing accessory is constructed such that when it is placed upon a CPR manikin, the front panel at least partially covers a chest surface of the CPR manikin, the back panel at least partially covers a back surface of the CPR manikin, and the anti-slip feature is constructed to engage a surface the CPR manikin is positioned upon and to resist movement of the CPR manikin upon that surface during use.

[00024] In a second example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to the first example, further comprising a first side panel and a second side panel oppositely opposed to the first side panel, the first and second side panels connecting the front and back panels together.

[00025] In a third example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the anti-slip feature comprises an elastomeric material.

[00026] In a fourth example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the back panel is formed from an elastomeric material to form the anti-slip feature.

[00027] In a fifth example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the anti-slip feature comprises a plurality of projections, dots, ribs, nibs, or ridges extending outwardly from the back panel.

[00028] In a sixth example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the anti-slip feature comprises silicone.

[00029] In a seventh example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to any of examples 1-4 or 6, wherein the anti-slip feature comprises a plurality of feet.

[00030] In an eighth example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to any of examples 1-4 or 6, wherein the anti-slip feature comprises button-like projections.

[00031] In a ninth example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to any of examples 1-3 or 5-8, wherein the anti-slip feature may be from a material that is separate and distinct from the material forming the back panel. [00032] In a tenth example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to example 9, wherein the back panel comprises a fabric material and the anti-slip feature comprises a plurality of elastomeric features extending outwardly from and connected to the fabric material.

[00033] In an eleventh example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to example 10, wherein the plurality of elastomeric features comprises silicone dots secured to and extending from the fabric material.

[00034] In a twelfth example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to any of examples 1, 2, or 5-10, wherein the anti-slip feature comprises one or more of the following materials: Natural Rubber (NR), Synthetic Polyisoprene (IR), Butyl rubber (copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene, HR), Halogenated butyl rubbers (Chloro Butyl Rubber: CIIR; Bromo Butyl Rubber: BIIR), Polybutadiene (BR), Styrene-butadiene Rubber (copolymer of polystyrene and polybutadiene, SBR), Nitrile Rubber (copolymer of polybutadiene and acrylonitrile, NBR), Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubbers (HNBR), Chloroprene Rubber (CR), polychloroprene, Neoprene, Baypren, EPM (ethylene propylene rubber, a copolymer of ethylene and propylene), EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene rubbera terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a diene- component), Epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO), Polyacrylic rubber (ACM, ABR), Silicone rubber (SI, Q, VMQ), Fluorosilicone Rubber (FVMQ), Fluoroelastomers (FKM, and FEPM) (examples of brand names: Viton, Tecnoflon, Fluorel, Atlas and Dai-El), Perfluoroelastomers (FFKM) (examples of brand names: Tecnoflon PFR, Kalrez, Chemraz, Perlast), Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSM), ((examples of brand names: Hypalon), Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (TPV), Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), Thermoplastic Olefins (TPO), or Polysulfide Rubber. [00035] In a thirteenth example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the clothing accessory is a jacket with a front closing zipper constructed to be installed onto a torso of a CPR manikin.

[00036] In a fourteenth example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the clothing accessory is a shirt constructed to be installed onto a torso of a CPR manikin.

[00037] In a fifteenth example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the clothing accessory is infant apparel constructed to be installed onto a torso of a CPR manikin.

[00038] In a sixteenth example, the CPR manikin mock clothing accessory according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the front panel includes marketing indicia.

[00039] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

[00040] Although a clothing accessory for a medical training device of the present application has been described in detail sufficient for one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the device as defined in the attached claims, Moreover, the scope of the present device is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments described here, which are provided by way of example. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present device and its embodiments, other components and means presently existing or later to he developed that perform substantially the same function to achieve substantially the same result as those of the corresponding embodiments described here, may be utilized according to the present application. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such other components or means.