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.

1 . A belt comprising a strap to encompass a portion of the body of a worker, the belt having attached thereto a plurality of holders, at least one of the holders comprising a mechanism to the removably attach keys thereto, the belt further comprising a connector placed on the belt relative to the plurality of holders so that the connector is positioned on the side of the body of the work and the plurality of holders are readily accessible by the worker. 
     
     
         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  wherein the connector is a hook-and-loop type connector. 
     
     
         5 . The belt of  claim 1  wherein the connector is readily releasable. 
     
     
         6 . The item holder of  claim 1  wherein the belt and the holders are water resistant or waterproof. 
     
     
         7 . The item holder of  claim 1  wherein the belt is fabricated from lightweight, durable and flexible material. 
     
     
         8 . The item holder of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the holders is an elongated pouch adapted to hold a pen or a pencil. 
     
     
         9 . The belt of  claim 1  further comprising an information tag comprising identification information. 
     
     
         10 . A belt for use by a person of diminished capacity and requiring care, supervision or oversight, the belt comprising: 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, the belt further comprising a fastening mechanism to retain the belt on the person that provides substantial resistance to being unfastened by the person of diminished capacity and a communication device operable as a locater to assist in locating the person of diminished capacity. 
     
     
         11 . The belt of  claim 10  wherein at least one of the holders allows others to identify the contents thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The belt of  claim 10  further including at least one information tag. 
     
     
         13 . The belt of  claim 12  wherein the information tag provides individual identity and identity of a facility in which the patient is being cared. 
     
     
         14 . The belt of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the at least one of the holders that allows others to identify the content thereof is transparent. 
     
     
         15 . The belt of  claim 10  wherein the belt and the holders are waterproof. 
     
     
         16 . The belt of  claim 15  wherein the fastening mechanism is positioned on the back of the person when wearing the belt. 
     
     
         17 . The belt of  claim 10  further comprising a communication device to provide two-way communication. 
     
     
         18 . The item holder of  claim 10  wherein at least one of the holders is a pouch fabricated from a lightweight, durable and flexible material. 
     
     
         19 . A method of caring for a person of diminished capacity requiring care, supervision or oversight including the step of providing the person with a belt having a 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, the belt further comprising a fastening mechanism to retain the belt on the person that provides substantial resistance to being unfastened by the person of diminished capacity and a communication device operable as a locater to assist in locating the person of diminished capacity. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein at least one of the holders is sufficiently transparent to allow others to identify the contents thereof.