Abstract: A neck and spine brace device for athletes that allows for a free and natural range of head motion while providing a stabilization link between a helmet and force absorbing body protection. The interlinking brace yields under torsional and multi-load flexation while compression of the helmet loads are transferred under longitudinal force dispersion to shoulder protection pads of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting the neck and spine of a user are provided. A neck and spinal protection apparatus is provided comprising a chest cover for fitting about a chest of a user. Moreover, a back cover fits about an upper back of the user and a shoulder cover fits about the user's shoulders and is connected to the chest and back cover. Furthermore, a head cover fits over a head of the user and is connected to the back cover. The head cover extends only about the upward and rearward periphery of a user and disperses a force associated with an impact to the head cover downward to the chest, back and shoulder covers in use.

Abstract: A laminated stretch cushion strap assembly having a stretchable cover, a stretchable cushion filler and a stretchable bottom or bottom fabric. The cover includes a stretchable top fabric, a first adhesive web layer positioned on one side of the top fabric and a stretchable base layer positioned on the first adhesive layer on a side opposite that of the top fabric. The stretchable bottom fabric forms with the cover an enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler is adapted to be completely enclosed within the enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler has a first cushion layer, and adhesive for securing during lamination the cover to the stretchable cushion filler, and the cushion filler to the stretchable bottom fabric. The adhesive is a second adhesive web layer positioned between the stretchable base layer and the first cushion layer to secure the cushion filler to the cover, and a third adhesive web layer positioned on the first cushion layer to secure the bottom fabric to the cushion filler.

Abstract: A neck garment comprises a body having two ends, a zipper attached to the body near the ends, thereby forming two flaps which are positioned beneath the zipper. The zipper is not as long as the ends, and the remainder of the ends are stitched together. The zipper is attached to the body at an angle that is about 45 degrees, such that when the zipper is moved into a closed position, the garment enables the wearer to warm their neck, and when the wearer wants to cool down, the zipper is moved into an open position, the ends are separated and remain open, exposing an area of the wearer and enabling the exposed area to be cooled down without interference from the garment. The garment is particularly suited for outdoor activities such as skiing.

Abstract: A high energy shock absorbing and dissipating device designed to be mounted on existing shoulder pads for football, hockey, dirt bike riders, etc. The head of the wearer is in a spaced relation to the inside surfaces. It consists of a crown structure and a lower support structure with vertical shock absorbing springs in between. An energy dissipating foam annular band is in a plane at the forehead level to attenuate the forces from whiplash-type movements. The possibility of the wearer receiving a concussion is virtually eliminated and will have the maximum of protection against devastating spinal cord injuries.

Abstract: A head restraint system is provided for a driver of a racecar. The system includes a helmet for receiving the driver's head, and first and second energy dissipating extendable restraining lanyards for connecting the helmet to a structural member of the racecar. The system preferably includes a quick connect apparatus for allowing the driver to easily escape from the head restraint system. The system preferably includes a rotatable connector which allows the driver to rotate his head left and right so that his lateral vision will not be impeded by the head restraint system.

Abstract: A protective mask adapted to be worn by persons engaging in physical games comprises a body formed of rigid plastic material including a nose portion, a chin portion, a brow portion, opposite cheek portions and opposite side temple portions; an opening is provided between the brow portion and the nose portion and cheek portions to be covered by a flexible transparent lens. A throat guard is pivotally mounted to the opposite cheek portions and extends inwardly of the chin and cheek portions; the throat guard is pivotal between two vertical positions relative to the chin and cheek portions and includes a tongue that extends towards the inner face of the mask and is adapted to contact an inner lower edge area of the mask to define the lowermost vertical position; the throat guard further includes a lower outwardly projecting area to contact the lower edge of the mask to define the uppermost vertical position for the throat guard.

Abstract: A garment has an inflatable collar having a sealed cavity and an air cock communicating with the sealed cavity for injecting and discharging air therethrough. The cavity may be formed by placing an arc shaped tube in the collar or by making the collar with fiber or cloth coated with a sealing material. According to the present invention, the collar, when inflated, is adapted to surround and/or support the wearer's neck for use as a pillow.

Abstract: The headrest provides support to the person's head, thereby relieving neck fatigue and other various discomforts. A one-piece headrest (10) is formed as a single piece and includes a back mounted support plate (14) having concave central body portion (16) and side wings (17 and 18) which straddle the person's spine to increase comfort, reduce movement of the head rest, and increase stability of the back mounted support plate when attached to the person's upper back. The second embodiment is a two-piece headrest (110) that includes a separate head support portion (120) and a back mounted support plate (114). The head support portion is pivotally connected to the back mounted support plate and a spring (125) urges the head support portion toward the person's head so that support can be provided to the person's head over a continuous angle range of backwardly tilted head positions.

Abstract: An inflatable collar of an upper garment comprises a sealed cavity and an air cock communicating into the sealed cavity for injecting and discharging therethrough. The cavity may be formed by placing an arc shape tube with an air cock on the inner or outer side of the collar, or by making the collar with fiber or cloth coated with a sealing material. According to this invention, the collar inflated with air may surround and bolster the wearer's neck, functioning as an air pillow and alleviating the fatigue which may be caused to traveller due to a long time journey by a car, airplane or the like.

Abstract: A helmet sock for protecting a helmet wearer from cold weather conditions while snowmobiling, motorcycling, skiing and other like activies. The helmet sock attaches to the outside lower perimeter of a helmet by a strip of hook and loop material such as Velcro-type material. A strip of Velcro-type material is secured to the outside lower perimeter of the helmet by pressure sensitive adhesive and a corresponding strip is attached to the upper inside circumference of the sock. The sock comprises an adjustable flap at the rear of the helmet for making a secure airtight fit on the helmet. The sock prevents outside air from penetrating and retains the body heat of the wearer in addition to stopping snow and wind from entering the bottom of the helmet. When the weather temperature rises, the sock may be rolled up and stretched around the bottom of the helmet or simply pulled off the perimeter of the helmet.

Abstract: A protective garment for preventing injury to the head, neck and torso. A helmet is rotatable mounted on a vest that includes a back section and a left front section and a right front section. The left front section are both mounted to rotate on the back section to be folded together to hold the helmet on the vest.

Abstract: The neck protector includes a cushioned pad which is quilted to cushion and insulate the user's head from direct contact with a salon sink, during washing and shampooing operations. The neck protector also serves to keep the heat of a dryer from the user's lower neck. The neck protector has a substantially straight front surface, and a substantially curved back surface. Attachment devices extend from opposing ends of the substantially straight front surface, and are of a length suitable for securing the neck protector about the user's neck. The quilted portion extends from the center of the substantially straight front surface. The neck protector is preferably made to be disposable.

Abstract: A tactical vest with a partitioned collar and/or a tactical vest with a mount to adjust the positioning of a firearm upon the shoulder.

Abstract: A neck protective gear for protecting the neck from injury caused as a result of head impacts especially by football players. The neck protective gear includes a helmet which has a bottom edge extending essentially below both ears and around the back of the user's head and which also has an extensible member which extends downwardly and along the bottom edge and is adapted to at least partially cover the user's neck region, and further includes a set of shoulder pads having an upwardly extending collar which is adapted to receive at least a portion of the extensible member. Any impact to the user's head is transferred from the helmet to the shoulder pads rather than to the user's neck thus reducing probability of serious injury.

Abstract: A baseball chest protector comprises a pad body, a strap assembly, a neck-protecting cushion, a plurality of shock-absorbent pad blocks and a plurality of air vents, in which the pad blocks provide on the chest portion of the pad body are formed with inclined planes in such a shape that the thickness of the upper portion of each pad block is greater than that of the lower portion while the pad blocks provide on the stomach portion of the pad body are formed with curved surfaces; the neck-protecting cushion is a piece of curved plate body which flares out upwardly from the bottom and forms an inverted cone-shaped space. Further, the above-mentioned shock-absorbent pad blocks on the chest portion are formed as a laminate structure of materials with different characteristics.

Abstract: A protection for a player on skates, mainly meant to protect the player's neck, having the quality especially to protect against cuts caused by the skate blade. The protection is a flexible safety equipment to be fitted around the neck and having at least one joint (8) which can be opened so that the protection can be put on the neck and taken off the neck. The protection includes a fastening device (3) in order to be joined to a helmet (1) and at least a portion of the protection material is flexible woven fabric.

Abstract: A protective collar apparatus comprising a protective pad operably positioned behind the neck of a user, a torso mounted vest and a pair of flexible and non stretchable connecting straps joining the pad to the vest. An adjustment strap is also joined to the pad and is adapted to be looped around shoulder pads or the like. The adjustment strap allows selective tilting and positioning of the pad. The pad is crescent shaped and has a front side constructed of soft material and a rear side constructed of stiff material. The pad is shaped to cradle the head or helmet when the head is pushed rearwardly relative to the torso of the player.

Abstract: A sports neck brace for use by players in a contact team sport. The brace is made from foam and is adapted to being fastened about a wearer's neck thereby surrounding the wearer's neck with 360.degree. of cushioning. The brace is self-contained and has a generally inverted frustum shape with the portion contacting a wearer's helmet being angled generally upward and outward from the bottom of a wearer's helmet.

Abstract: A protective head gear includes a generally open head portion and a collar portion. The protective head gear is for use in contact sports by an athlete wearing a helmet. The head portion is generally open and has a crown segment and a pair of opposed side segments. The crown segment has a crown base and each side segment has a side base. The head portion is spaced upwardly and outwardly from the helmet. The crown segment and each side segment are contoured to and spaced from the shape of the helmet. The collar portion is hingeably connected to the crown base. The collar portion having a generally rigid layer adapted to be positioned around the athlete's neck and to transmit the force from a hit on the head portion to the collar portion. In use, the collar portion is attached to the athlete.

Abstract: A slash and cut resistant garment for protecting a person from injury by slashing or cutting with a blade, knife or other sharp edged device, which garment is shaped to fit and be removably secured to at least a portion of the person's body that requires protection from injury, the garment comprising in its body protection areas, a major portion of a slash and cut resistant fiber knitted with a minor portion of a stretch fiber, the weight, knit and layers of fabric being selected according to the degree of slash and cut resistance required for the garment. In its most particular form, the invention is a neck protector and the slash and cut resistant fabric covers the neck of the person and extends downwardly to cover a portion of the collarbones and upwardly around the neck to a position that is just below the chin and has the shape of a turtleneck garment or dickey.

Abstract: A hockey shirt with a lower trunk opening, a neck opening and a neck guard associated with the neck opening. The neck guard includes a neck surrounding band of fabric, and a releasible attachment for changing the diameter of the neck guard to suit the needs of the wearer. In one embodiment the shirt includes sleeves, with cuff assemblies. The cuff assemblies include a slash guard retaining pocket and an elasticizing means, which in the preferred embodiment is the sleeve cuff itself.

Abstract: A jockey jacket actuates upon sensing a particular event, such as the jockey falling from the horse during a race. A series of air tracks are inflated by a gas generator to pump up a series of air-pockets, mini-airbags, and a collar protection region, preferably with a series of concentric circular cylinders which expand and provide resistance to motions that are transverse to the concentric axis. A plurality of caps are telescopically disposed within the tracks and are forced upwards by the injected gas. These caps form a column that, together with the other columns and a support member Within the jacket collar, forms an exoskeleton around the jockey's neck. A base webbing provides support for the columns. The jacket includes microelectronics to control the jacket actuation. The jacket is usable for other activities, such as motorcycling.

Abstract: An improved head and neck support device (10) for occupants (100) of high performance vehicles, is described. The device includes a restraining yoke (12) and a collar (11). The restraining yoke has two front portions (12A and 12B) which extend down from the shoulders (102) of the occupant along the torso (104) of the occupant. The restraining yoke also includes a rear portion (12C) which extends behind the neck (106) and the shoulders of the occupant. The collar of the device extends upward from the rear portion of the restraining yoke behind the head (112) of the occupant. The collar of the device is connected by tethers (15 or 215) to the helmet (108) of the occupant. The shoulder belts (110A) of the shoulder harness (110) of the vehicle extend over the front portions and rear portion of the restraining yoke when the device is mounted on the occupant such that the device is between the shoulder belts and the occupant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination shoulder pad and helmet assembly uniquely designed to protect a user from serious cervical spine injuries. The device comprises a helmet having a mounting bracket on the back portion thereof The mounting bracket has a pair of opposing embrasures in communication with and an axial, cylindrical bore. An elongated tubular rod is received within the bore having an indention at opposing ends thereof. The rod is retained within the bore using a spring biased pin received within the embrasures and the indention which also limits the rotation of the rod relative to the cylindrical bore. The spring biased pin has a concave portion proximal its head which may be selectively aligned with the rod indention to release the rod from the brackets. The opposing end of the rod is secured to a similar bracket and pin mechanism mounted to the top edge of a set of shoulder pads. Furthermore, a mid-torso protective device is secured to the lower edge of the shoulder pads.

Abstract: A balancing jacket for scuba divers is in the form of a sleeve-less waist-length jacket made from strong, heavy materials worn over a diving suit made from neoprene. Pads made from a soft plastics material are placed in the armholes and in the neck area of the jacket. The jacket further includes a soft back covered with an elastomeric material with a high coefficient of friction on neoprene.

Abstract: A cervical spine protective helmet and shoulder harness assembly. The helmet and shoulder-harness assembly includes a yoke or shoulder pad having a central opening for the wearer's head to pass therethrough. A protective helmet is pivotally supported over the central opening. Arcuate tracks allow the head of the wearer to be turned from side to side. Stops within the pivoting joints supporting the helmet limit neck flexion and extension. Stops at the ends of these tracks limit neck torsion. Neck compression is limited by the rigidity of the uprights supporting the helmet.

Abstract: An automatic safety helmet and cover protection can be worn on the back, mainly of people who play sport. The protection device is stored in a rucksack casing (3) and is attached to back straps (4-6). The casing accommodates essentially a guard (11-19), a drive member and a control mechanism. There is storage space in the center for various implements. By triggering a spring accumulator (40.1, 40.2), the protection device is rotated, in the event of a threatening fall, into an erect protective position in fractions of a second by way of a trigger cord or by automatic actuation due to a sensor (23). The protective position is held at the top by a toothed catch member (7.1, 7.2). Mating toothing on the catch member maintains the protective position even in the event of a change in direction.

Abstract: An instantaneous reversible scarf consisting of a neckpiece, built out of two similar patterns (1 and 2), and a bib or chestpiece, constructed of 2 similar patterns (13,14), and a hook 15. Patterns 1 and 13, and patterns 2 and 14 are fastenened separately prior to constructing the scarf. The single pieces obtained from fastening the conjugate patterns are then fastened together so as to construct a single double sided piece having a chestpiece and a neckpiece. A fastener 16 and its mate 17 are placed on opposite ends and opposite faces of neckpiece and a hook 15 is attached to the resulting shape for ease of storing.

Abstract: Protective headwear, comprising:a first head covering for covering at least one portion of a person's head;a second head covering for covering at least one portion of the person's head, at least one portion of said second head covering being within, or adapted to be at least partly within said first head covering, such that the first and second head coverings are in a joint relationship whereby the second head covering is movable relative to the first head covering.

Abstract: A disposable neck protection device that not only covers the neck region, but is constructed such that it prevents particles from coming into contact with the wearer's neck region while at the same time, allowing the wearer's skin to breathe. The device covers the cheeks and other areas below the level of the wearer's eyes. The device attaches to the front of a mask via sticky tabs or Velcro, having its main portion draping down the front of the neck just below the clavicles, its lower portion including a gusset to form fit the device around the wearer's neck. The neck protection device can be manufactured to accommodate any standard or custom size. The device is made of an absorbent outer layer and an impermeable inner layer which prevents debris from contacting the user's skin yet allows for air flow. The lower end of the device may fit under a gown whereas at the top, it attaches directly to the mask.

Abstract: A disposable neck protection device that not only covers the neck region, but is comprised of a material which prevents particles from penetrating it while at the same time, allowing the wearer's skin to breathe. The device covers the cheeks and other areas below the level of the wearer's eyes. The device attaches to the front of a mask via sticky tabs or Velcro, having its main portion draping down the front of the neck just below the clavicles, its lower portion fastening behind the wearer's neck via fasteners such as ties, buttons, Velcro or similar means. The neck protection device can be manufactured to accommodate any standard or custom size. The device is made of an absorbent outer layer and an impermeable inner layer which prevents debris from contacting the user's skin yet allows for air flow. The lower end of the device can fit under a gown whereas at the top, it attaches directly to the mask.

Abstract: A substantially flat, wearable cushion (10) that a baby carries behind the head. The cushion (10) comprises a substance having impact absorbency (18) that is covered by a wrapper (20). Its corners are rounded and its size is wide enough to surround the baby's head and shoulders and long enough to hold two shoulder straps (12). Shoulder straps (12) are stretchable to ease the baby's arms into the device. Cushion (10) is supported behind the baby's head without any elements that visually or physically protrude around or upon the baby's head. If the baby slips, its head, as well as its neck and shoulders, will fall against cushion (10).

Abstract: A football helmet and shoulder pad combination are designed to prevent head and neck injuries. An outer helmet is connected to a neck assembly which permits but limits head turning mobility as well as up-down and left and right head tilt. The neck mechanism which is mounted about the neck comprises substantially circular inner and -outer spherical guides and a concentric movable inner element therebetween with an upwardly extending member on each side of the neck. The guides contain stops to limit the motion permitted by the helmet and the lower portion of the mechanism is mounted on the shoulder pads to distribute the load during impact. The helmet portion with a resilient coupling joining the portions. The upwardly extending members on the inner element are mounted to respective sides of the outer helmet. The helmet may also be retrofitted to existing equipment.