ATHLETIC COLLAR
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A collar comprising:
- an upper flange configured to encircle a portion of a neck of a user, the upper flange configured to limit movement of a helmet worn by the user in directions corresponding to the portion, the upper flange configured to allow unrestricted movement of the helmet in a forward direction and having forward side segments disposed on opposite sides and configured to provide gradually increasing restriction of sideways movement of the helmet, and having a rear segment configured to restrict rearward movement of the helmet;
a shoulder flange configured to be secured to a shoulder of the user, the shoulder flange having a substantially rigid surface configured to distribute a load to the shoulder and to an upper back region of the user; and
a riser coupled to the upper flange and coupled to the shoulder flange, the riser having a rigid structure configured to convey a compressive force applied to the upper flange to the shoulder flange and configured to hold the upper flange in a position to allow extension of the neck to a position above a spine of the user and to prevent hyperextension of the neck.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A collar comprising:
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an upper flange configured to encircle a portion of a neck of a user, the upper flange configured to limit movement of a helmet worn by the user in directions corresponding to the portion, the upper flange configured to allow unrestricted movement of the helmet in a forward direction and having forward side segments disposed on opposite sides and configured to provide gradually increasing restriction of sideways movement of the helmet, and having a rear segment configured to restrict rearward movement of the helmet; a shoulder flange configured to be secured to a shoulder of the user, the shoulder flange having a substantially rigid surface configured to distribute a load to the shoulder and to an upper back region of the user; and a riser coupled to the upper flange and coupled to the shoulder flange, the riser having a rigid structure configured to convey a compressive force applied to the upper flange to the shoulder flange and configured to hold the upper flange in a position to allow extension of the neck to a position above a spine of the user and to prevent hyperextension of the neck. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of manufacturing comprising:
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forming an elastic overmold on a rigid substrate, the rigid substrate having a riser and the overmold having an upper flange and a shoulder flange, the upper flange having configured to limit movement of a helmet worn by a user in directions corresponding to the portion, the upper flange configured to allow unrestricted movement of the helmet in a forward direction and having forward side segments disposed on opposite sides and configured to provide gradually increasing restriction of sideways movement of the helmet, and having a rear segment configured to restrict rearward movement of the helmet, the shoulder flange configured to be secured to a shoulder of the user, the shoulder flange having a substantially rigid surface configured to distribute a load to the shoulder and to an upper back region of the user, the riser coupled to the upper flange and coupled to the shoulder flange, the riser having a rigid structure configured to convey a compressive force applied to the upper flange to the shoulder flange and configured to hold the upper flange in a position to allow extension of the neck to a position above a spine of the user and to prevent hyperextension of the neck; and providing a plurality of attachment features on the upper flange, the attachment features configured to receive at least one elastic bumper, the elastic bumper configured to further limit movement of the helmet. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus comprising:
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an upper flange configured to partially encircle and limit movement of the neck of a user, the upper flange having a forward open region and angular side regions that gradually transition to a high back region; a riser coupled to the upper flange, the riser configured to hold the upper flange in alignment with the neck; and a shoulder flange configured to distribute a compressive force exerted on the upper flange to a shoulder of the user, the shoulder flange configured to attach to a garment of the user, the upper flange configured to preclude hyperextensive movement of the neck. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification