Abstract: Shoulder pad includes shoulder pads and a cervical spine protection device. The device includes an upper portion for engagement with a helmet when an axial force is applied to a portion of the helmet. The upper portion has a front section, a rear section, and side sections which have a top surface. At least one damper element is provided within the device. The top surface of the side sections has an apex higher than the top surface of the front section and the rear section when the device is worn. The axial force applied to the helmet is absorbed by the device and directed away from a cervical spinal column of the user by the device. The damper element, when the axial force is absorbed by the device, resistively collapses to attenuate the axial force. The device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement.

Abstract: A shoulder pad having a cervical spine protection system including shoulder pads and a cervical spine protection device. The cervical spine protection device includes a lower portion engaged with a user's shoulders, an upper portion designed for engagement with a user's helmet when an axial force is applied to a portion of the helmet, the upper portion having a front section, a rear section, and side sections, where the front section, rear section, and side sections of the upper portion have a top surface. The cervical spine protection device also includes a middle portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion. The cervical spine protection device further includes an outside portion shaped to engage with shoulder pads, where the outside portion comprises a substantially c-shaped design, with the lower portion and the upper portion extending laterally further than the middle portion away from the user's neck, and an inside portion shaped to fit around a user's neck.

Abstract: A shoulder pad having a cervical spine protection system including shoulder pads and a cervical spine protection device. The cervical spine protection device includes a lower portion engaged with a user's shoulders, an upper portion designed for engagement with a user's helmet when an axial force is applied to a portion of the helmet, the upper portion having a front section, a rear section, and side sections, where the front section, rear section, and side sections of the upper portion have a top surface. The cervical spine protection device also includes a middle portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion. The cervical spine protection device further includes an outside portion shaped to engage with shoulder pads, where the outside portion comprises a substantially c-shaped design, with the lower portion and the upper portion extending laterally further than the middle portion away from the user's neck, and an inside portion shaped to fit around a user's neck.

Abstract: A cervical spine protection device including a lower portion engaged with a user's shoulders, and an upper portion designed for engagement with a user's helmet when an axial force is applied to a portion of the user's helmet, where the upper portion has an opening at the rearward facing side of a user's body. The device further includes a middle portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion, and an inside portion shaped to fit around a user's neck. The axial force applied to the top portion of the user's helmet is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device and at least partially directed away from a cervical spinal column of the user by the cervical spine protection device. The cervical spine protection device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement.

Abstract: A cervical spine protection device including a lower portion engaged with a user's shoulders, and an upper portion designed for engagement with a user's helmet when an axial force is applied to a portion of the user's helmet, where the upper portion has an opening at the rearward facing side of a user's body. The device further includes a middle portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion, and an inside portion shaped to fit around a user's neck. The axial force applied to the top portion of the user's helmet is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device and at least partially directed away from a cervical spinal column of the user by the cervical spine protection device. The cervical spine protection device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cervical protective device that reduces the possibility of neck injuries in contact sports. In a preferred embodiment, this device is worn in conjunction with a football helmet and football shoulder pads. Without restricting normal movement of a football player, the device contacts the lower most parts of the sides of the helmet and has a shape that is molded as to the normal anatomy of the upper back and lower cervical spine. The device contacts the lower sides of the player's neck and is held in place by the shoulder pads as normally worn by football players. Force received at the top of the helmet is applied to the protective device, absorbed by compression elements contained within the protective device and the force is directed away from the cervical spine.