Abstract: A cervical appliance for preventing ventral flexion of the head to reduce the possibility of sudden infant death syndrome and/or adult sleep apnea, both of which have common characteristics which are at least partially obviated with the use of the invention.

Abstract: A casing formed of flexible and durable plastic or leather forms an enclosed compartment having therein a filling of sand or other finely-divided material. The casing is elastically deformable and the sand is redistributed within the compartment to substantially conform to the contoured area of a wheel cover at a site selected to receive an impact force for installing the cover onto a wheel rim of an automobile or the like. The casing defines a force-receiving area approximately corresponding to the size of a human hand. A strap member is used for retaining support of the casing by the human hand.