Abstract: An apparatus for protecting against injuries to the head and neck includes a head harness; a body anchor component; and tensioners extending between and interconnecting the head harness and the body anchor component. The tensioners limit the range of movement of the head. Each tensioner is a composite band or strap having an elastic member and an inelastic member. An additional linking member in the connection between the tensioner and the body anchor component preferably has viscoelastic properties and cushions or dampens rapid acceleration of the tensioners during an impact to the head, such as when a tackle is made in football. The additional linking member preferably is a solid material with viscoelastic characteristics. In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to be worn under a football helmet and shoulder pads.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 29, 2013
Date of Patent:
March 7, 2017
Assignee:
MIOFLEX, LLC
Inventors:
Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Jeremy Losaw, Michael Starkey, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell
Abstract: An apparatus for protecting against injuries to the head and neck includes a head harness; a body anchor component; and tensioners extending between and interconnecting the head harness and the body anchor component. The tensioners limit the range of movement of the head. Each tensioner is a composite band or strap having an elastic member and an inelastic member. An additional linking member in the connection between the tensioner and the body anchor component preferably has viscoelastic properties and cushions or dampens rapid acceleration of the tensioners during an impact to the head, such as when a tackle is made in football. The additional linking member preferably is a solid material with viscoelastic characteristics. In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to be worn under a football helmet and shoulder pads.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 29, 2013
Publication date:
January 12, 2017
Applicant:
MIOFLEX, LLC
Inventors:
Raeshon Lamont MCNEIL, Jeremy LOSAW, Michael STARKEY, Juan Carlos PEREZ, Thomas James PHILPOTT, Daniel Lee BIZZELL