SHOULDER PADS INCORPORATING CERVICAL SPINE PROTECTION DEVICE
First Claim
1. A shoulder pad having a cervical spine protection system comprising:
- shoulder pads; and
a cervical spine protection device comprising;
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, wherein the front section, rear section, and side sections of the upper portion have a top surface; and
at least one damper element within the cervical spine protection device;
wherein the top surface of the side sections of the upper portion has an apex that is higher than the top surface of the front section and the rear section when the cervical spine protection device is worn by a user,wherein the axial force applied to the top portion of the 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,wherein the at least one damper element, when the axial force is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device, resistively collapses so as to at least partially attenuate the axial force,wherein the cervical spine protection device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A shoulder pad having a cervical spine protection system comprising:
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shoulder pads; and a cervical spine protection device comprising; 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, wherein the front section, rear section, and side sections of the upper portion have a top surface; and at least one damper element within the cervical spine protection device; wherein the top surface of the side sections of the upper portion has an apex that is higher than the top surface of the front section and the rear section when the cervical spine protection device is worn by a user, wherein the axial force applied to the top portion of the 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, wherein the at least one damper element, when the axial force is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device, resistively collapses so as to at least partially attenuate the axial force, wherein the cervical spine protection device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A cervical spine protection device comprising:
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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, wherein the front section, rear section, and side sections of the upper portion have a top surface; a lower portion engaged with a user'"'"'s shoulders. a middle portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion; an outside portion shaped to engage with the shoulder pads, wherein 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; an inside portion shaped to fit around a user'"'"'s neck; and at least one damper element within the cervical spine protection device; wherein the top surface of the side sections of the upper portion has an apex that is higher than the top surface of the front section and the rear section when the cervical spine protection device is worn by a user, wherein the axial force applied to the top portion of the 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, wherein the at least one damper element, when the axial force is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device, resistively collapses so as to at least partially attenuate the axial force, wherein the cervical spine protection device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A shoulder pad having a cervical spine protection system comprising:
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shoulder pads; and a cervical spine protection device comprising; 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, wherein the front section, rear section, and side sections of the upper portion have a top surface; a lower portion engaged with a user'"'"'s shoulders. a middle portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion; an outside portion shaped to engage with the shoulder pads, wherein 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; an inside portion shaped to fit around a user'"'"'s neck; and at least one damper element within the cervical spine protection device; wherein the top surface of the side sections of the upper portion has an apex that is higher than the top surface of the front section and the rear section when the cervical spine protection device is worn by a user, wherein the axial force applied to the top portion of the 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, wherein the at least one damper element, when the axial force is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device, resistively collapses so as to at least partially attenuate the axial force, wherein the at least one damper element comprises an inner chamber containing fluid, and the at least one damper element, when the axial force is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device, resistively vents the fluid from the inner chamber through at least one orifice so as to at least partially attenuate the axial force, and wherein the cervical spine protection device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement.
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Specification