Abstract: A system of tethers and a helmet cooperating with the tethers for controlling a driver's head during operation of a vehicle. The system of tethers includes a pair of side tethers for attachment to the sides of the helmet and to a head and neck restraint device and either at least two rear tethers having first ends for attachment to the helmet and second ends for attachment to shoulder straps or a support member or a single rear tether having an intermediate portion attached to a support member and opposed end portions for attachment to the helmet.

Abstract: A system of tethers and a helmet cooperating with the tethers for controlling a driver's head during operation of a vehicle. The system of tethers includes a pair of side tethers for attachment to the sides of the helmet and to a head and neck restraint device and either at least two rear tethers having first ends for attachment to the helmet and second ends for attachment to shoulder straps or a support member or a single rear tether having an intermediate portion attached to a support member and opposed end portions for attachment to the helmet.

Abstract: A system of tethers for controlling a driver's head during operation of a vehicle, comprising: at least two frontal straps having first ends attached to a helmet and second ends attached to shoulder straps, torso strap and/or vehicle's seat belt; at least two rear straps having first ends attached to a helmet and second ends attached to shoulder straps or the support member; and wherein the frontal and rear straps are taut during normal operation.

Abstract: A restraint device for controlling the head of a driver during a high-performance vehicle collision. The device includes a support member having a back portion and shoulder portions that extend at least partially over the shoulders of the driver; a tether for attaching the support member to the driver's helmet; and at least one anchor strap attached at one end to the support member and at the other end to the vehicle's seat belt assembly, driver's truck, and/or driver's legs, which serves to anchor the device and oppose forward and rearward movement of the driver's head during a collision event, reducing the likelihood of injury. The shoulder portions are configured to engage the vehicle's shoulder belts, which improves the restraint device's ability to resist forward movement and downward rotation of the driver's head that is caused by a collision event.

Abstract: A restraint device for controlling the head of a driver during a high-performance vehicle collision. The device includes a rigid spacer positioned along the back of the driver, a tether for attaching the spacer to the driver's helmet, and an anchor strap attached at one end to the tether and at the other end to the vehicle's seat belt assembly and/or the driver's legs which serve as an anchor, opposing forward and downward movement of the driver's head during a frontal collision to reduce the likelihood of injury to the driver. During a frontal collision, deceleration forces applied to the driver's head cause the tether and anchor strap to be tensioned. As such, forces are directly transferred through the tether to the anchor strap and, ultimately, to the anchor in order to resist forward movement and downward rotation of the driver's head.

Abstract: A system of tethers for controlling a driver's head during operation of a vehicle, comprising: at least two frontal straps having first ends attached to a helmet and second ends attached to shoulder straps, torso strap and/or vehicle's seat belt; at least two rear straps having first ends attached to a helmet and second ends attached to shoulder straps or the support member; and wherein the frontal and rear straps are taunt during normal operation.

Abstract: A restraint device for controlling the head of a driver during a high-performance vehicle collision. The device includes a rigid member positioned along the back of the driver, a tether for attaching the member to the driver's helmet, and a strap for anchoring the device. The vehicle's seat belt assembly or the driver's own body, such as his torso, waist or legs, may be used to anchor the device. During a vehicle collision, forces from the head are transferred through the device (i.e. tether, rigid member, and strap) into the anchor in order to resist forward movement and downward rotation of the driver's head.

Abstract: A head and neck restraint device for being worn by a driver while operating a high performance vehicle in which the device controls the driver's head from snapping forward and downwards during a frontal vehicular crash. The device includes a pair of anchor straps that are worn along the back of the driver. The straps are adapted for being connected to the driver's helmet and for being anchored to either the vehicle's seat belt assembly and/or to the driver's legs. The restraint device itself does not inhibit the driver from exiting the vehicle as exiting may occur after simply unlatching the vehicle's seat belt assembly. Moreover, since the restraint device is neither rigid nor bulky the driver may quickly exit the vehicle without being restricted by the device.

Abstract: A head and neck restraint device, worn by a driver when operating a high performance vehicle, which controls the driver's head from snapping forward and maintains the driver's head, neck and spine in general alignment in the event of a frontal crash. The device includes a pair of anchor straps that are worn along the back of the driver and have first end which connects to the driver's helmet by use of hooks and tethers, and second ends which extends between the driver's legs for connection to a seat belt assembly. A chest strap and a waist strap are attached to the anchor straps for keeping the anchor straps separated at a predetermined distance. When exiting the vehicle, the driver unlatches a standard vehicle seat belt assembly and the restraint device is simultaneously released from the vehicle. Since the restraint is neither rigid nor bulky, the driver can quickly exit the vehicle unrestricted by the device.

Abstract: A head and neck restraint device, worn by a driver when operating a high performance vehicle, which controls the driver's head from snapping forward and maintains the driver's head, neck and spine in general alignment in the event of a frontal crash. The device includes a pair of anchor straps that are worn along the back of the driver and have first end which connects to the driver's helmet by use of hooks and tethers, and second ends which extends between the driver's legs for connection to a seat belt assembly. A chest strap and a waist strap are attached to the anchor straps for keeping the anchor straps separated at a predetermined distance. When exiting the vehicle, the driver unlatches a standard vehicle seat belt assembly and the restraint device is simultaneously released from the vehicle. Since the restraint is neither rigid nor bulky, the driver can quickly exit the vehicle unrestricted by the device.

Abstract: A compact door check of modular design for a vehicle door is described that can be integrated in the door hinge and mated with many types of hinges and door assemblies. The door check according to the invention is includes a housing affixed to a first half of the door hinge, a shaft extending through the housing and connecting the other half of the door hinge to the first half to allow the first half to rotate about the shaft, and a detent mechanisms defining a plurality of detent positions of the door hinge. The detent mechanism is enclosed in the housing so as to be sealed against the environment to prevent contaminants and debris from affecting the operation of the door check.