Abstract: The disclosure provides systems, devices, and associated methods for mitigating traumatic brain injury, injury to an ocular structure, or injury to the inner ear of a subject by applying pressure to one or more neck veins before and during an injurious event.

Abstract: A head protection device includes a head cradle portion and a force transfer/energy absorbing collar portion. The head cradle portion is spaced from adjacent and out of contact with the collar portion in normal operation and in contact with the collar portion upon impact of predetermined force, transferring the force and associated energy around the head cradle portion and dissipating the energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device that stabilizes or protects the head or spine from injuries. An immobilization device includes one or more pillars with multiple segments that protect the head or spine of a user. The pillars typically run along the part of the head and spine and pelvis that the device protects. A cable or wire runs through these segments in the pillars. By design, when the pillars of the invented system are not activated and the system is in normal use, the pillars are designed to be as flexible as possible and allow full physiologic motion of the protected body part. Activation of the system confers rigidity to the system and prevents or lessens harmful, non-physiologic motion of the body part intended to be protected. The present invention can further include a caudal extension used to connect to vehicle.

Abstract: A neck protection device (10) includes a ring (14) that is configured to extend around a wearer's neck and that includes a plurality of elements (12) each defining a passage (16). A tether (18) extends along the passages (16) and a tension device (38) is configured to grip the tether (18) releasably and hold it under tension. The elements (12) are free to move relative to one another, when the tether (18) is not under tension, so that the ring (14) is flexile and can be fitted around the neck, but the elements (12) are drawn into abutting relationship to form a stiff ring (14), when the tether (18) is under tension.

Abstract: An impact protection apparatus (IPA) may include an impact switch configured to transition from an open-circuit state to a close-circuit state when a force is exerted on the IPA in a first direction and exceeds a force threshold. The IPA may further include a protective headgear and linear and rotational locks that can limit movement of the protective headgear upon a threshold level of pressure or impact.

Abstract: A motion restrictor device is operable to be worn with a protective helmet to reduce the risk of head or spine injury caused by injurious movement of the helmet. The device includes a helmet-engaging component supported on a harness. The component presents helmet-engagement surfaces positioned on opposite sides of the neck of the user. The component is operable to yieldably bias each of the helmet-engagement surfaces toward the helmet when the device is worn, such that contact with the helmet is maintained as the helmet-engagement surface shifts through a range of motion. The device also includes a brake assembly that restricts shifting of at least one of the helmet-engagement surfaces in response to injurious movement of the helmet.

Abstract: An airbag deployment system includes a helmet, a torso protection assembly, and an airbag assembly. The airbag assembly is coupled to one of the helmet and the torso protection assembly and includes an airbag, an inflation device configured to inflate the airbag, and a first coupling device. The first coupling device is configured to couple to a second coupling device provided on the other of the helmet and the torso protection assembly upon inflation of the airbag. The coupling resists relative movement between the helmet and the torso protection assembly.

Abstract: A therapeutic device is configured to be worn by a user for providing spinal support to the user's body. The therapeutic device has a first support section and a second support section that connects to the first support section. The first support section is configured to comfortably engage and support the neck of the user's body. The second support section is configured to comfortably engage and support the lower back of the user's body while the first support section engages and supports the neck of the user's body to provide maximum support for an entire spinal region of the user's body with a level of comfort while maintaining a full range of motion for the user's spine.

Abstract: A head and neck support (HANS) device comprises a collar, a left leg unit, a right leg unit, and a leg unit rotation control assembly. The collar may be positioned behind a wearer's neck. The left leg unit may be coupled to a left side of the collar to engage the wearer's left shoulder and chest area. The right leg unit may be coupled to a right side of the collar to engage the wearer's right shoulder and chest area. The leg unit rotation control assembly may include male splines and female splines to allow the leg units to rotate with respect to the collar when the female splines are separated from the male splines and to rigidly fix the position of the leg units with respect to the collar when the female splines are interlocked with the male splines.

Abstract: A head and neck protection system is provided that includes a dome including a rear frame and a cage attached to a front of the rear frame and an upper torso padded portion removably attached to a bottom of the dome portion. The dome is configured such that a when a wearer's head moves in its full range of motion, the wearer's head does not touch the inside of the dome portion in any direction such that a force from a collision is transmitted to the wearer's upper torso, thereby bypassing the wearer's head and neck.

Abstract: A personal protection device for protecting a user is described. The personal protection device can have an inflatable member having an internal chamber that can be inflated or deflated according to predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A protective athletic garment that provides cushioning effect to areas of wearer's body and shock absorbing capability, while keeping resistance to impact and collision during activities. The garment comprises an article of clothing which covers a portion of a wearer's body and a protective element attached into areas susceptible to injury. The protective element is preferably formed of a base layer of polyurethane shock absorbent foam and a top layer of thermoplastic polyurethane foil including flex zones and raised elements to provide high abrasion resistance and low friction sliding ability during falls. The protective element comprises ventilation holes and a plurality of grooves to stitch the protective element to the garment to create any style of garment. The protective element can be used for different portions of the wearer's body by varying the shape and/or size of the protective element to accommodate a variety of human body portions.

Abstract: The invention is based on the surprising discovery that as few as one episode of blast exposure increases the risk of CTE. Blast exposure is associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, impaired neuronal function, and persistent cognitive deficits in blast-exposed military veterans and experimental animals. Early diagnosis and assessment of risk permits physicians to prescribe treatment to reduce or slow progression of impairment before the onset of overt symptoms that become apparent decades after an initial insult or trauma to brain tissue. The invention provides methods and compositions for diagnosis and prognosis of individuals at risk of long term complications related to blast injury or concussive injury.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.

Abstract: A device includes a collar and at least one pad. The collar is configured for wearing by a user, the collar having a plurality of pad receptacles. The at least one pad is configured for coupling with a selected one of the plurality of pad receptacles, the pad having an elastic portion configured to limit movement of a user.

Abstract: The invention provides a head cooling/heating device comprising a webbing adapted to encapsulate the human head; and a plurality of cavities defined by said webbing, said cavities adapted to reversibly receive a plurality of substrates, wherein the substrates are capable of being cooled or heated.

Abstract: A protective device for the neck, such as a neck brace, with a substantially rigid closed structure around the neck and adapted to sit on the user's torso includes means for temporarily changing the device's shape so as to reduce the natural gap between the upper brace surface and the lower rim of the helmet, thereby creating a supplementary transmission path for compressive forces exerted upon the device towards the torso.

Abstract: An anti-horse collar tackle safety device, comprising a base having means for attaching the base to a pair of shoulder pads, wherein the base comprises an interior portion facing the shoulder pads and an exterior portion that is accessible from outside a jersey placed over the shoulder pads, and a releasable portion releasably attached to the exterior portion of the base via means for releasable attachment, wherein the releasable portion is configured to release via application of a force equal to or less than about 15 pounds.

Abstract: A device includes a collar and at least one pad. The collar is configured for wearing by a user, the collar having a plurality of pad receptacles. The at least one pad is configured for coupling with a selected one of the plurality of pad receptacles, the pad having an elastic portion configured to limit movement of a user.

Abstract: Provided is a neck supporter which is easy to use and which can reliably support the head of the wearer. The neck supporter includes an elongated main body providing said air-bag; an air injection valve that is provided in said main body to enable the air to be injected into said air-bag or discharged therefrom; connection sections (e.g., loops and hooks) that are provided on opposite surfaces in a vicinity of opposite ends of said main body to connect said opposite surfaces to each other; and a plurality of retaining portions (e.g., thermal compression bonding portions and through-holes) that are provided dispersedly as dots in series in a longitudinal direction of said main body to provide bonded portions between a front surface and a back surface of said main body.

Abstract: A neck protector which helps eliminate someone from burning their neck while using curling irons and hair straighteners is disclosed. My invention appears to be the first that will be displayed in stores everywhere. It will sell very well if displayed in the hair section near the curling irons, hair straighteners, hot rollers and other heated styling devices. My invention will sell very well in retail stores including beauty supply houses and salons.

Abstract: A collar for protecting the neck of a user, useful in particular for motorcycle riders, is envisaged, said collar comprising two half-collars which are pivotably hinged together at one end so as to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane and which can be connected together by means of a fastening and release lever, a safety structure which at the rear extends downwards from the bottom edge of the collar so as to be centered with respect to the spinal column of the user, and a protective shield which extends downwards at the front. The safety structure has a breakable structure made of the material with an impact strength lower than the material forming the collar so as to break in a programmed manner in the event of impacts following falls.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device for reducing brain and cervical spine injury includes a headpiece sufficiently designed to secure to a user's head, the headpiece having a first attachment member; a support harness sufficiently designed to secure to the user's torso, the support harness having a second attachment member; and a telescoping member having a main tube and a series of progressively smaller diameter tubes nested within each other, wherein the smaller diameter tubes are adapted to extend and compress in a linear plane by the intake and outflow of fluid, wherein the telescoping member has a first engaging member for engaging the first attachment member, and wherein the telescoping member has a second engaging member for engaging the second attachment member.

Abstract: New spine-protecting motoring and sports equipment and apparel are provided. In some aspects of the invention, variably-joined pivoting and sliding members with both overall and local pivoting-speed and/or range-limits pivot about central points, lines and/or curves, which approximates the rotational center line of a user's spine, spinal cord or points of optimal flex reduction for a wearer's safety. Aiding in creating pivot-points and/or pivot lines are external body-holding extensions, connected to at least some of the pivoting and sliding members (a.k.a., “brace sections”). In one preferred embodiment, a torso-gripping jacket implements the above-described aspects, and a top-most member, linked with the other members, rotates more greatly and variably interlocks with rigid slot in the rear base of a specialized protective helmet, protecting the user's neck from breaking in a crash.

Abstract: A silent fastener includes generally flat first and second tuck tabs flexibly connected to a first element to be connected, positionable to form a narrow V-shape or U-shape when viewed from the side, and insertable through at least one slit in an outer surface of a second element to be connected, into internal cavities within first and second portions, respectively, folded or bent in the V- or U-shape, and the second element being unfoldable or bendable to frictionally hold the tuck tabs in the cavities for connecting the elements, and the first element being further securable over one of the portions in a hairpin configuration with the received tuck tab, to further hold the tuck tabs, the tuck tabs being removable by returning the second element to the V- or U-shape. The tuck tabs being tensionable to increase the holding strength and snug the elements about a carried object.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.

Abstract: Protective gear such as a helmet includes an intelligent bracing mechanism such as an intelligent neck bracing mechanism. The intelligent bracing mechanism detects imminent mechanical forces such as impact, shear, and rotational forces and stiffens the bracing mechanism so that forces imparted onto the protective gear can be distributed to one or more other locations. In one example, a sensor detects an imminent mechanical force impact on an outer shell of a helmet and stiffens a neck brace connected to the helmet to distribute some of the energy from the impact onto the shoulders.

Abstract: An ultraviolet protective garment is provided for wear to protect the user's neck, chest, upper back, chin, and portions of the shoulders. The sun protective neckwear garment is provided for wear primarily during outdoor activity, wherein the user engages in activity which exposes the user's neck, upper chest, upper back, chin, and shoulders to the ultraviolet rays of the sun whether in hot weather climate or cold weather climate, and can be used during indoor activity, or when a user is driving in a vehicle; and provides a secondary wicking utility. The neckwear garment is a single body tubular unit, with a unique generally ship decanter shape, comprising a chin-collar portion; a neck portion; bib portion having shoulder portions. The neckwear garment is manufactured from flexible, elasticized, fabric with ultraviolet blocking capability. The neckwear garment can reduce the wearer's risk of developing various types of skin damage.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.

Abstract: A protective liner is described comprising a collar having a main collar portion, a first extension emanating from the main collar portion in a first direction, a second extension emanating from the main collar portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Disclosed embodiments may include a chest portion extending from the main collar portion. The protective liner may also include an adjustable releasable fastener for joining the first extension to the second extension. The adjustable releasable fastener may be disposed upon at least one of the first extension and second extension, wherein a material of the protective liner comprises a non-woven, fluid repellent material.

Abstract: A head and neck support (HANS) device comprises a yoke structure having a low collar, a left leg and a right leg extending respectively from a left side and a right side of the low collar, and a tether having a strap coupled to the low collar and a pair of catches connected to two ends of the strap. The low collar is characterized with a distance between a central line of the tether and a top end of each leg, where the distance is less than 70 mm. The catches of the tether are operable to attach to a helmet of the driver so as to engage the low collar with the helmet of the driver.

Abstract: A convertible winter garment converts from a cap or hat configuration to a neck gaiter, face cover, or hand warmer. The garment is a four-edged fabric with two layers such that opposing side edges of the fabric provide openings for insertion of the user's hands between the layers when the garment is used as a hand warmer. A transparent window through one layer of the garment permits observation of a mobile device held between the layers. Clips mounted along the edge opposing the longest edge can be attached to edges of the bill of a baseball cap worn by the user and anchor the garment to the baseball cap. In one embodiment, a bill having view openings is attached to the garment such that it can be used to shield the user's face from either overhead or below.

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: An airbag (20) for protecting the head of a user in case of an accident is hereby presented. The airbag comprises an inflatable inner bag (21, 40, 50, 60) surrounded by an outer bag (22), wherein the structure of the outer bag (22) defines the shape of the airbag (20) when the inner bag (21) is inflated, and wherein said inner bag (21, 40, 50, 60) comprises a plurality of elongate first chambers (28, 29, 210, 211, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 65, 66, 69, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614), each of which elongate first chambers forms a head protective part when inflated.

Abstract: A protective helmet, which includes a motion restrictor device, is disclosed which has at least one strut member associated with the helmet and a harness assembly, and the at least one strut member includes a locking assembly associated with the strut member, which upon a predetermined force being sensed by a force sensor or a predetermined amount of or rate of acceleration being sensed by an acceleration sensor, stops substantially all relative motion between the ends of the strut member and the predetermined force is substantially transferred from the helmet to the harness assembly.

Abstract: A survivability and safety unit (also referred to as a safety unit) can be worn in high contact activities to minimize injuries and help prevent quadriplegic injuries and concussions. The safety unit of the present invention provides synthetic muscle and skeleton frame, strength and resistance enhancement. The safety unit of the present invention can replicate muscle and bone function as a kinematic device. It can withstand high velocity impacts, it dampens the impact load and extends the shock absorption distribution.

Abstract: A cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.

Abstract: A protective liner is described comprising a collar having a main collar portion, a first extension emanating from the main collar portion in a first direction, a second extension emanating from the main collar portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Disclosed embodiments may include a chest portion extending from the main collar portion. The protective liner may also include an adjustable releasable fastener for joining the first extension to the second extension. The adjustable releasable fastener may be disposed upon at least one of the first extension and second extension, wherein a material of the protective liner comprises a non-woven, fluid repellent material.

Abstract: A device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, in sports motorcycle racing and car racing, includes elements suitable for opposing inertia forces due to strong accelerations whereto the individual is subject, prevents harmful stresses to the bony structure, in the normal performance of the races, and minimizes them in the event of an accident. The device includes a support structure, made substantially integral to the pilot's trunk, a helmet, and elements suitable for connecting the helmet to the support so as to restrict the mobility of the helmet with respect to the support, which include a ring element, or collar suitable for quickly connecting the helmet to the support structure, and obtaining a swivel coupling therewith, the reciprocal rotation between the helmet and the support taking place according to an axis that, in the zone of the cervical vertebrae, substantially coincides with the physiological axis of rotation of the cervical vertebrae.

Abstract: A neck brace (10) comprises an impact surface (39,55) adjacent the neck of a wearer of the brace (10) that it is spaced from a helmet (42) and that is configured to limit movement of the helmet by contacting an underside (46) of the helmet, a bearing surface (15,35) bearing on the wearer's body; and a resilient structure (12) between the impact surface (39,55) and the bearing surface (15,35) for transferring impact loads from the helmet (42) on the impact surface, to the wearer's body via the bearing surface. The brace (10) further includes restraining means (58) that is attachable to the rear of the structure (12) with a releasable clip mechanism (66) and to the helmet (42) to inhibit movement of the helmet. The restraining means is in the form of a tether (58) that is attached to the helmet (42) at two spaced locations and that passes with clearance through an aperture in an anchor element (62,64), to allow the helmet (42) to be moved freely while the tether (58) slides through the aperture.

Abstract: A fluid container carrying device including a back piece and a front piece forming a pocket having an opening for receiving and holding a fluid container, wherein the fluid container carrying device further including a first strap provided with a first fastener for fastening to a first side portion of a neck protection device, a second strap provided with a second fastener for fastening to a second side portion of the neck protection device, and a fastening means arranged on the back piece of the pocket for fastening to a rear lower member of the neck protection device. The present invention also relates to a neck protection device provided with such a fluid container carrying device.

Abstract: The invention further provides a device to protect the neck and the base of the skull of a person, the device comprises an impact-resistant substrate and a helmet. The impact-resistant pliable substrate is adapted to encircle an extended portion of the person's neck and lower cranium. The helmet is configured to cover the skull of the person, except for the occipital region of the skull. The helmet is adapted to receive the first impact-resistant pliable substrate such that the substrate substantially covers the occipital region of the skull and cervical vertebra of wearer.

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: The present invention is a collar/harness worn to protect the cervical spine of an active participant when force is applied that would otherwise cause hyperextension, abnormal movement or position, or compression that results in injury, the device (collar-harness) is worn on the shoulders with an anterior (chest interface) portion and a posterior (back interface) portion such that a removable, adjustable coil interfaces with a helmet and the collar via attachment platforms arrayed at the angle of the mandible on either side and at the base of the head to prevent compression and hyperextensions of the cervical spine.

Abstract: A neck brace has two legs with a gap between them and the legs extend on either side of the wearer's neck and along the front of his torso. Shoulder protuberances, and chest protuberances extending laterally from each leg, are received underneath the shoulder straps of a harness, in the region of the wearer's shoulders and chest, respectively. A recess is defined on an underside of each leg between the shoulder protuberance and the chest protuberance to form a beam that is elevated above the wearer's chest. Each leg and its associated chest protuberance, define a channel in which one of the shoulder straps of the harness is receivable to be held captive.

Abstract: A neck collar interfacing with a lower edge of a helmet of a wearer. The collar includes a pad and a shell. The pad is formed of a closed-cell foam material and forms a loop to be secured about the neck of the wearer. A plurality of shell components are secured to portions of the upper face of the pad. The shell is more rigid than the pad to spread the energy of impact with a lower edge of the helmet over a larger region of the pad. The shell and pad each include a chest portion having a split for opening the pad for putting the collar on and taking it off. The shell components are discontinuous at at least one lateral portion of the pad to allow flexibility of the pad for separation of the pad at the split.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine.

Abstract: An article of protective clothing includes a strip of multilayered flexible material adapted to be wrapped entirely around a wearer's neck to form a collar therearound. The multilayered flexible material comprises an interior layer of cut-resistant fabric disposed within a cover of wicking fabric. The strip includes a layer of memory foam attached to a medial portion thereof and an adjustable fastener disposed coextensively over opposite short edges thereof to adjust a diametric size of the collar.

Abstract: An apparatus to be worn on an individual's shoulders, chest and back below a full face helmet to limit the occurrence of cervical spinal cord injuries in the event of a crash.

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.