Belts and methods of use thereof

Abstract

A belt for use by healthcare worker includes a strap to encompass a portion of the body of the worker to which a plurality of holders (or containers) is attached. The holders are preferably adapted to hold or containing various items that are often used by healthcare workers in the course of their routine. For example, at least one of the holders can be a pouch fabricated from a lightweight, durable and flexible material. Preferably, the entire belt is fabricated from a generally, lightweight, durable and flexible material. In addition to pouches, which can hold or contain items of various size, shape etc., one or more of the holders can be adapted to hold specific items. For example, at least one of the holder can be a bottle holder. A belt for use by a person requiring care, supervision or oversight (for example, a child or a patient of diminished capacity) includes a strap to encompass a portion of the body of the person. The belt has attached thereto a plurality of holders in which the patient can carry items. The entire belt can be fabricated from a generally, lightweight, durable and flexible material. Preferably, at least one of the holders is sufficiently transparent to allow others to identify the contents thereof. The belt further can also include at least one information tag. The information tag can for example provide patient identity and/or the identity of a facility in which the patient is being cared. The belt can also include at least one safety tag to facilitate viewing of the belt in reduced visibility conditions.

What we claim is:  
     
         1 . A belt for use by healthcare worker including: a strap to encompass a portion of the body of a worker, the belt having attached thereto a plurality of holders.  
     
     
         2 . The belt of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the holders is a pouch fabricated from a lightweight, durable and flexible material.  
     
     
         3 . The belt of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the holders is a bottle holder.  
     
     
         4 . The belt of  claim 1  further including a connector to secure the belt around a worker.  
     
     
         5 . The belt of  claim 4  wherein the connector is readily releasable.  
     
     
         6 . A belt for use by a person requiring care, supervision or oversight, the belt including: a strap to encompass a portion of the body of the person, the belt having attached thereto a plurality of holders in which the person can carry items.  
     
     
         7 . The belt of  claim 6  wherein at least one of the holders allows others to identify the contents thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The belt of  claim 6  further including at least one information tag.  
     
     
         9 . The belt of  claim 8  wherein the information tag provides individual identity and identity of a facility in which the patient is being cared.  
     
     
         10 . The belt of  claim 6  further including at least one safety tag to facilitate viewing of the belt in reduced visibility conditions.  
     
     
         11 . The belt of  claim 6  further including a fastening mechanism to retain the belt on the person.  
     
     
         12 . The belt of  claim 11  wherein the fastening mechanism is difficult to open by the person.  
     
     
         13 . The belt of  claim 11  wherein the fastening mechanism is positioned on the back of the person when wearing the belt.  
     
     
         14 . The belt of  claim 6  further comprising a communication device.  
     
     
         15 . The belt of claim The belt of  claim 14  wherein the communication device operates to locate the person.  
     
     
         16 . A method of caring for a person requiring care, supervision or oversight including the step of providing the person with a belt having a strap to encompass a portion of the body of the person, the belt further having attached thereto a plurality of holders in which the patient can store items.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein at least one of the holders is sufficiently transparent to allow others to identify the contents thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the belt further includes at least one information tag.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the information tab provides individual identity and identity of a facility in which the person is being cared.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the belt further includes at least one safety tag to facilitate viewing of the belt in reduced visibility conditions.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the belt further includes a fastening mechanism to retain the belt on the person.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the fastening mechanism is difficult to open by the person.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the fastening mechanism is on the back of the person when wearing the belt.  
     
     
         24 . A method of facilitating access of a healthcare worker to items, the method comprising the step of providing a healthcare worker with a belt including: a strap to encompass a portion of the body of a healthcare worker, the belt having attached thereto a plurality of holders in which the items can be placed.  
     
     
         25 . An item holder to be worn by a person, comprising: a flexible strap to encompass the waist of the person, the ends of the strap including a first connector section and a cooperating second connector section attachable to the first connector section, and a flexible base extending from the strap, the base having attached thereto a plurality of holders.  
     
     
         26 . The item holder of  claim 25  wherein at least one of the holders is a pouch fabricated from a lightweight, durable and flexible material.  
     
     
         27 . The item holder of  claim 26  wherein at least one of the materials is water resistant or waterproof.  
     
     
         28 . The item holder of  claim 25  wherein the belt is fabricated from lightweight, durable and flexible material.  
     
     
         29 . The item holder of  claim 23  wherein at least one of the holders is a bottle holder.