NECK PROTECTION COLLAR

Abstract

A neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a user has a collar portion that substantially wraps, supports and surrounds the neck of a user. A neck protection portion extends up a rearward portion of the collar to protect the neck and part of the cranium and is substantially covered with a hook and loop fastener portion. A complimentary hook and loop portion is disposed on the inside portion of a helmet to allow the neck protection collar to be removably attached therein. The hook and loop portion substantially covers most of the neck protection portion to provide enhanced structural stability to the neck and spine of the user. This protects the user from impact, shear and compression forces that cause serious damage. The neck protection collar is made from energy absorbing materials such as high density foam or memory foam.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/700,586, filed Feb. 4, 2010, which in turn claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/149,731, filed on Feb. 4, 2009, the complete disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Neck injuries are unfortunately common with many of them being associated with vehicle crashes. Sports injuries, while not as common, are never the less very serious and often have long term or permanent effects on an individual. Additionally, adolescents often play sports which leads to neck injuries even when wearing conventionally protective equipment such as helmets and shoulder pads. While the neck is surprisingly resilient, it is a weak point when subjected to extreme forces.

There is a need for a neck protection collar that provides additional protection for the user's neck without significantly restricting movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a user has a collar portion that substantially wraps, supports and surrounds the neck of a user. A neck protection portion extends up a rearward portion of the collar to protect the neck and part of the cranium and is substantially covered with a hook and loop fastener portion. A complimentary hook and loop portion is disposed on the inside portion of a helmet to allow the neck protection collar to be removably attached therein. The hook and loop portion substantially covers most of the neck protection portion to provide enhanced structural stability to the neck and spine of the user. This protects the user from impact, shear and compression forces that cause serious damage. The neck protection collar is made from energy absorbing materials such as high density foam or memory foam.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a neck protection collar according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view perspective drawing of the neck protection collar shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a back view perspective drawing of the neck protection collar shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the neck protection collar attached to a helmet using a hook and loop fastener.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the neck protection collar attached to a helmet using mechanical fasteners.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the neck protection collar attached to a football helmet.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a neck protection collar according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a neck protection collar according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the neck protection collar shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a back view of the of the neck protection collar shown in 8.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a neck protection collar according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a neck protection collar 100 is shown having a neck support portion 110 extending upward from a rearward portion of a collar portion 130. A hook and loop fastener pad 140 is attached to an outer edge of neck support portion 110.

A fluid chamber 120 is attached to an interior portion of neck protection collar 100 and is filled with an energy absorbing fluid. Non-Newtonian shear thickening fluids known as dilatants provide good energy absorption properties and are used to provide the impact absorbing functionality. Of course other fluids may be used such as oil, emulsions, water or even a gas such as air may be used to provide the protective functionality. Additionally, a resilient material such as foam or rubber may be used to provide the impact resistance.

Neck protection collar 100 is made of a flexible cloth covered foam that incorporates fluid chamber 120 therein. Fluid chamber 120 is filled with the energy absorbent fluid and sealed to prevent leakage. Alternatively, a filling port (not shown) may be provided to allow post production filling of a suitable fluid. Additionally, other materials may be used to make neck protection collar 100 such as plastic, composite materials, fabric or any other suitable material.

Now referring to FIG. 4, neck protection collar 100 is shown attached to a helmet 160 using a hook and loop fastener pads 140 and 150 respectively. Hook and loop fastener pad 150 is applied to helmet 160 and attaches to the corresponding hook and loop fastener pad 140 that is attached to neck protection collar 100 and can be used with a variety of helmets. To use neck protection collar 100 with different helmets, the user simply applies a hook and loop fastener pad to the desired helmet.

Referring now to FIG. 5, neck protection collar is permanently attached to helmet 160 with a plurality of rivets 270. In this embodiment, neck protection collar 100 is not interchangeable and is part of the helmet. In a similar manner as discussed above, neck protection collar has collar portion 230, neck support portion 210 and fluid chamber 220. Of course other mechanical fasteners may be used such as snaps, bolts or other suitable fasteners as is known in the art. Additionally, a removable or permanent adhesive may be used to secure neck protection collar 100 to helmet.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a football helmet 280 worn by a user 290 with neck protection collar 100 attached therein. Neck support portion 110 is shown attached to helmet 280 with hook and loop fastener pad 140 and 150 respectively. Collar portion 130 wraps around the user's neck to provide support during an impact.

Referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of fluid chambers 320 are shown attached to a neck protection collar 300 along an inner portion of a collar portion 330 and neck support portion 310. A hook and loop fastener pad 340 is used to connect to a helmet as discussed above.

Now referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, a neck protection collar 400 is shown having a collar attachment portion 405 which removably attaches to helmet collar attachment portion 410 which is located on the inner side of helmet 160. By having most of collar attachment portion 405 connectively interact with a fastening portion 420, user 290 can adjust a neck collar support portion 415 for comfort and support. Also, by having a wide area of connectivity, neck protection collar 400 provides for both impact protection and shear forces delivered to user 290. Although it is known to hang protective flaps from helmets, such flaps cannot support the neck is crushing or other shear force trauma that is often the source of neck injuries. The present invention supports and protects the neck when neck collar support portion 415 wraps all around the neck to provide structural support to the spinal column as well as impact protection.

Neck collar support portion 415 is made of energy absorbing materials such as, but not limited to, high density foam, medium density foam, gels, memory foam, inflatables, etc. which are used to absorb the energy of the injury and dissipate it to minimize damage.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a neck protection collar 500 is shown attached to a hardhat 560. Collar attachment portion 405 attaches to hardhat 560 by the use of hat collar attachment portion 510 which covers an inside portion of hardhat 560. Again, as discussed above, a fastening portion is made of matching portions of hook and loop fasteners and is used to provide adjustability as well as providing a means to easily connect and disconnect. Although football helmet and hardhat have been used to illustrate the instant invention, many types of helmets may be used such as motorcycle helmets, racing helmets, military helmets, bicycle helmets, climbing helmets, etc.

Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a user comprising:

a collar portion adapted to substantially wrap, surround and support a neck of a user; wherein said neck is supported from both impact as well as shear and compression forces;

a neck support portion disposed along a rearward perimeter portion of said collar portion and projecting upward adapted to protect and support said user's neck and anterior cranium portion; and

a connecting means disposed on said neck support portion for attaching said neck protection collar to a helmet.

2. The neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a user according to claim 1 wherein said connection means is a hook and loop fastener.

3. The neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a user according to claim 2 wherein said connection means covers substantially all of said neck support portion.

4. The neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a user according to claim 3 wherein said connection means further includes a complimentary hook and loop portion attached to said helmet wherein said hook and loop portion disposed on said neck support portion removably attaches to said complimentary hook and loop portion disposed on said helmet.

5. The neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a user according to claim 1 wherein said neck protection collar is made from high density foam.

6. The neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a user according to claim 1 wherein said neck protection collar contains energy absorbing fluid disposed therein.

7. The neck protection collar for protecting the neck of a user according to claim 1 wherein said neck protection collar is made from memory foam.