Radiation shielding pocket for inclusion in apparel and accessories

Abstract

A radiation shielding pocket comprising an RF pocket for use with a garment pocket to protect a user from radiation generated by a cell phone. Closure means constrain the cell phone in the pocket. Degree of transmission permitted versus radiation protection is optimized by using radiation apertures in the RF pocket positioned to be in registration with active antennas of the cell phone. Communication is enabled while the cell phone is still mostly shielded. The pocket can be positioned on the clothing so that a cell phone remains in the pocket even when a user assumes various positions, such as sitting, which would commonly cause an article to fall out of a pocket. The pocket fabric may be elastomeric. The pocket comprises a blend of spandex fibers and radiation shielding fibers. The pocket stretches to exert compressive force on the cell phone.

1 . A radiation shielding device comprising:
 a. an RF pocket, said RF pocket comprising an inner surface and an outer surface defining an enclosure for housing an electronic device;   b. said RF pocket comprising a radiation shielding fabric for blocking radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum which blocks or reduces the radiation emitted from the electronic device and absorbed by a user;   c. an aperture in said RF pocket for receiving the electronic device; and   d. said RF pocket further comprising an area for permitting transmission of a portion of radiation emitted from the electronic device, the area being positioned to optimize radiation transmission versus radiation protection.   
     
     
         2 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 1  wherein said RF pocket is dimensioned to receive an electronic device comprising a portable interactive device. 
     
     
         3 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 2  further comprising a fastening mechanism attached to said RF pocket for selectably opening and closing said aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 3  wherein the fastening mechanism includes one or more of a hook and mesh fastener or a zipper. 
     
     
         5 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 1  wherein said fabric comprises a blend of radiation shielding fibers and elastomeric fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 5  wherein said RF pocket is dimensioned to constrain the electronic device against movement. 
     
     
         7 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 6  wherein said aperture is aligned with an opening in an outer pocket to facilitate accessibility to the electronic device from outside the outer pocket. 
     
     
         8 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 1  further comprising a garment having an outer pocket and dimensioned to hold said RF pocket. 
     
     
         9 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 8  wherein said garment comprises an article selected from the group consisting of shirts, shorts, pants, sweatpants, joggers, underwear, towels, jackets, lingerie, fanny packs, backpacks, purses and handbags. 
     
     
         10 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 8  further comprising an outer pocket dimensioned for receiving said RF pocket, said inner surface of said RF pocket facing a surface of the garment for placing against a user and said outer surface positioned to face away from the user. 
     
     
         11 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 10  wherein said RF pocket is fixed to said garment. 
     
     
         12 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 10  further comprising an aperture in said RF pocket dimensioned to receive a connector and conductor and positioned to allow positioning of said connector in a jack on the electronic device, whereby the jack is enabled to couple the electronic device to elements located outside of the RF pocket, whereby the electronic device may communicate while being enclosed in said RF pocket. 
     
     
         13 . A radiation shielding garment system comprising:
 a. radiation transparent fabric;   b. a garment pocket formed in said garment comprising said radiation transparent fabric;   c. an RF pocket, said RF pocket comprising an inner surface and an outer surface defining an enclosure for housing an electronic device, said RF pocket comprising a radiation shielding fabric for attenuating radiation in a preselected band of the electromagnetic spectrum, the band being associated with electronic devices;   d. a fastener securing said RF pocket to said garment pocket;   e. an opening at a side of said RF pocket aligned with an opening of said garment pocket, whereby insertion into and removal from said garment pocket and said RF pocket is facilitated;   f. an aperture in said RF pocket aligned with a source of radiation from a device to be housed in the RF pocket, said aperture being selectively closable; and   g. said aperture being positioned to permit passage of a preselected level of radiation.   
     
     
         14 . The radiation shielding garment according to  claim 13  wherein said RF pocket is comprised of a blend of elastomeric fibers and radiation shielding fibers. 
     
     
         15 . The radiation shielding garment according to  claim 14  wherein said RF pocket is defined by a primary axis and a secondary axis and wherein elasticity along the primary axis is greater than elasticity along the secondary axis. 
     
     
         16 . The radiation shielding garment according to  claim 15  wherein said RF pocket comprises an aperture in registration with a dimension of the location of a charging jack in the preselected electronic device, whereby connection to systems and the electronic device is facilitated while the electronic device is fully shielded in said RF pocket. 
     
     
         17 . The radiation shielding garment according to  claim 16  wherein said RF pocket has a selectively closable transmission opening which when in an open position allows for transmission of a selectable fraction of energy through said RF pocket, whereby transmission through said RF pocket and protection of a user from radiation may be optimized. 
     
     
         18 . A radiation shielding device dimensioned for receiving a preselected electronic device, said radiation shielding device comprising:
 a. radiation shielding fabric;   b. an RF pocket comprising forward and rear panels for facing respective forward and rear sides of the electronic device;   c. dimensions of said pocket and components thereof selected to correspond to the preselected electronic device;   d. said pocket having areas of increased transmission in locations corresponding to antenna locations of the preselected electronic device; and   e. wherein said areas are dimensioned to block areas of the electronic device radiation pattern away from the transmission direction.   
     
     
         19 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 18  wherein said forward panel is oriented to allow transmission of sound between the electronic device and the user and wherein said areas of increased transmission are formed in said rear panel. 
     
     
         20 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 19  wherein said forward panel is selected to have a dimension along a primary axis which is longer than the corresponding dimension of the preselected electronic device. 
     
     
         21 . The radiation shielding device according to  claim 20  wherein said RF pocket further comprises an aperture positioned to be in registration with a charging jack on the electronic device.